VETERAN COMPETITORS

RICHARD CORTRIGHT

§  1950 Senior Amateur Bicycle League of America’s Best All Around Rider of the Year

§  1953 50 Mile National Champion

§  1952, 1956, 1960 Olympic Team

§  1959 Gold Medal in the Pan American Games Team Pursuit

§  1961 turned professional and competed in 6-day bicycle races in Canada.

§  As an Olympian, his employer supported his travel across the country to speak at “Touch the Torch” ceremonies.

CONTRIBUTORS  CATEGORY

PHYLLIS HARMON (1916 - Present  )     

§  An avid cyclist since the early years of the 20th Century, she is credited with resurrecting, and maintaining, the oldest bicycling organization in the U.S, the League of American Wheelmen

§  During the late 1800’s, the League had a membership over 100,000. 

§  In 1939 at age 19, Phyllis revived the organization through her enthusiasm, volunteerism and knowledge of bicycling, and in 1940 it once again became a national organization with the mission of promoting general interest in cycling.

§  In 1965, Phyllis was one of the key figures that brought it back to prominence at a national level, where it remains today. 

§  During her 66 years with the organization, she has acted as the treasurer, executive vice president, historian, office manager, and writer, editor and publisher of the “L.A.W. Bulletin” (now known as the “League of American Bicyclists” magazine) until 1979. The magazine changed names again and is called "American Bicyclist" 

§  She received the coveted Paul Dudley White Award in 1979, and has since had the League’s Volunteer Award named in her honor. 

§  The League of American Bicyclists, with 30,000 members,  is the leading advocacy group for cyclists, representing over 300,000 people, including members of bicycle clubs and advocacy organizations which hold organizational memberships in the League. 

§  Phyllis remained active in the L.A.W through her 80's and continued to lead yearly tours across New Zealand and the American West

§  Now in her 90's, Phyllis remains active, continues to travel and assist groups that reach out for her support.

more about Phyllis Harmon

MODERN ROAD & TRACK COMPETITORS ( ‘72 – ‘04 )

NELSON VAILS (1960-)

§  1984 Olympics: Track - Sprint Silver, 1984.

o First African-American to win Olympic medal

§  1985 World Championships: Tandem Sprint, Silver

§  1984, 1985, 1986 National Tandem Sprint Champion

§  1984 National Sprint Champion

§  1983 Pan American Games: Gold Medal

§  1980s and 1990s competed professionally in 6-Day circuits in Europe and Japanese Keirin events.

§  Media Cycling commentator involved in cycling safety programs.

§  Nicknamed "The Cheetah."

§  Starred with Kevin Bacon in the Columbia Pictures release of “Quicksilver”, a movie about the tough world of bicycle messengers in New York City.

§  Since retirement in 1992, cycling commentator for major TV networks

OFF ROAD CATEGORY

CLAYTON JOHN 

§  President of the ABA since 1985, organized over 30 national events a year in USA and Canada.

§  Instrumental in the Formative years of BMX racing in 1975 as a bike shop owner and coach of the Penn State Cycling Team.

§  Operated a BMX track in 1977 located State College, PA

§  His track hosted the ABA BMX Nationals throughout the late 70’s.

§  President of Gold Line, which was ABA’s Trophy and Soft Goods Company in 1980.

§  Between 1980 & 1985 he built ABA tracks, both National and Local Level

§  ABA Sponsorship and Marketing

o   Runs over 30 National Level BMX events each year

§  National Director at the National Series Events.

§  President for the ABA since 1985 and will be retiring from the BOD of the ABA in 2008.

§  Elected to the first USA BMX board, which is under USAC governance.

§  Involvement in the sport for the last 27 years.

§  He is instrumental in the evolution of the sport of BMX racing in the US, and created the first contingency program for Pro’s, which allowed the top Professional racers to earn a living racing BMX.

§  He created and/or adapted many of the rules of BMX racing that are known today.