Veteran Pre-1945 Competitors Category

Tillie Anderson Born in Skane, Sweden 1875

Tillie Anderson, emigrated to Chicago at the age of 14. At 16, during the summer of 1895 she took part in the race over the Elgin-Aurora, IL. Century course and broke the century record. She later traveled around the country taking part in six-day bicycle races for women, which involved racing at top speed two hours each evening for six consecutive days. Tillie was 18 years old when the League of American Wheelman recognized her as the best woman cyclist in the world. Anderson held records for practically every distance form sprinting to endurance. She once rode a half-mile in 52 seconds on another occasion she rode 100 miles in 6 hours 52 minutes and 15 seconds. She entered 130 races and was first over the finish line in all but seven races. She remained the champion of the World until retiring in 1902 when women were barred from racing due to the level of danger involved in the sport. Tillie was active in the L.A.W. and the Bicycle Stars of the Nineteenth Century organizations until her death in

BMX Category

Toby Henderson

Toby started his racing career in 1976 and by 1980 he turned Pro. He raced for Raleigh from 1978 to 1980. He was one of the first racers to promote the sport of BMX worldwide, traveling around the globe with Raleigh doing shows for the masses. In 1982 Toby was the World Cruiser Champion. In 1983 Toby was also the subject on three different BMX Action covers. Toby went to SE Racing for the 1984 season and stayed there until 1986, also test riding for BMX Action magazine from 1985 to 1987. Toby is known for his jumping skills, inventing the "Henderson", a one handed and one footed jump variation. He is still involved in BMX to this day running "THE" a BMX accessory company specializing in number plates and assorted soft goods.

Modern Post - 1945 Competitors Category

Francois Mertens Born April 28, 1932 -Antwerp, Belgium U.S. Citizen in 1954.

For competitive longevity and class, few can approach Mertens In 1951 Mertens arrived in New York City and promptly made his presence felt up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Though the 1950s an early 1970s he had many victories in the era's major races. They included the Tour of Somerville (NJ), which he won in 1951, two victories at the National Capitol Open in Washington, DC; seven victories at the Hartford Labor Day race and seven New York state district championships. He set the national 100-mile record in 1951 and won the German 100 in Westbury, NY, twice in a row. He also triumphed three years in the season-long National Best All Round (BAR) championship. He won a silver medal at the 1989 World Masters Games road race in Denmark, and has won nine national masters championships. In the winter he vacations in Stuart, FL where he also coaches the local YMCA-Saturn junior team. One measure of his contribution to the sport is his 1984 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his inspirational dedication to the sport of cycling.

Mike Neel Born July 18, 1951 in Berkeley, CA

Mike Neel emerged in the 1970s as one of Americas leading riders. Neel made his presence felt in races and won three national championships--the 1971 and 1973 pursuit title and 1973 10-mile--and he triumphed in the 1974 Tour of the Sierras in California, a unique stage race that drew top talent from around North America and Mexico. He won a berth on the 1976 U.S. Olympic cycling team. After competing in the 1976 Montreal Olympics road race, Neel promptly turned professional to compete for the Italian team, Magniflex, and scored a remarkable 10th place finish at the world championship road race in Ostuni, Italy. He competed professionally for another year before returning to the USA to share what he learned in the upper reaches of the sport. In 1978 and 1979 Neel coached the U.S. Cycling Federation road team. He helped to guide Andy Hampstens victory in the 1987 Tour of Switzerland and 1988 Tour of Italy. Since 1997 he has coached the Timex-Saeco Womens pro team.

Mountain Bike Category

JACQUIE PHELAN

Jacquie Phelan took her first mountain bike ride in 1980 on a three speed. She took up the sport, and was the U.S. women's national champion in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Now the leader of the Women's Mountain Bike and Tea Society (WOMBATS), she is one of the best known female mountain bikers.

Contributors Category

Dr. Paul Dudley White (1886-1973)

Dr. White a Harvard Medical School graduate, was a world renowned cardiologist and cycling enthusiast. He cycled daily and realized the positive effects of cycling exercise on cardiovascular development. He pioneered safe cycling campaigns and opened the first modern cycle path on Nantucket Island in 1960. Dr. White authored CYCLING IN THE SCHOOL FITNESS PROGRAMS and become an evangelist for health through cycling in the United States.