U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame Announces Inductees For Class of 2010

The four honorees represent a range of cycling pursuits from off-road racing to Olympians with careers spanning from the early 1880s to the present. The inductees are: Mike McCarthy (modern competitor category), Dottie Saling (contributor), Gary Ellis (off-road), and George Mallory Hendee (veteran). With the Class of 2010, we now have a total of 126 Inductees.
 
“The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame is proud to honor these individuals,” said Hall of Fame President Dawn Wylong.  “These individuals were selected because of their accomplishments in the sport of cycling and their induction into the Hall of Fame will serve as a perpetual reminder of their dedication, support and sacrifice to the sport.
 
The October 30^th ceremony will be held in Davis, CA, the new home of the Hall of Fame. The new inductees include:
 
Mike McCarthy, a seventeen time U.S. National Cycling Champion who earned numerous track citations such as five Jr. National Road and Track titles and the USA Cycling Athlete of the Year in 1990.  McCarthy competed from 1982 to 1998 in various competitions including criterium, road, track and team pursuit races. He was a Pan American Games Champion (1987) as well as a two-time Olympic Games participant (1988 and 1996).  McCarthy was also the 1992 world professional cycling pursuit champion.
 
Dottie Saling, whohas dedicated 53 years supporting the sport of cycling. From 1978 to 1993 she served as a member of the USAC Board of Directors where she became the first female vice-president. Saling also served as President of the Board of the US Bicycling Hall of Fame from 1996 to 2000. She was a member of the International Games Preparation Committee of USOC for multiple Pan American and Olympic Games as well as a contributing member of many other bicycling organizations.  Currently, Saling is a US cycling official for various national championships and serves as treasurer of the Somerset (New Jersey) Wheelmen.
 
Gary Ellis, who began racingat age 11 and turned pro six years later.  He was the first amateur to win as an expert at the Grandnational Championships and soon after became the “A” professional Grandnational Champion.  Gary is a four-time BMX Plus! “Racer of the Year,” and a four-time International Bicycle Motorcross Federation Pro World Champion.  He is a 1998 ABA Hall of Fame inductee.  After retiring from BMX in 1998 Ellis became the team manager of the Nirve BMX team.
 
George Mallory Hendee, whobecame America’s first amateur high wheel racing national champion at age 16 in 1882, when he won an astounding 302 out of 309 races ranging from sprint events to 20 mile races.  He held the national championship title for 5 years. Hendee set high wheel and tricycle world records and later began riding and racing “safety” style modern bicycles.  After retiring from racing in 1887, George became the president of the National Cycling Association.  Inspired by the need to “pace” bicycle racers, in 1901 Hendee partnered with engineer Oscar Hedstrom to create the first mass-produced gasoline powered motorcycle in the United States. The business became known as the Indian Motocycle Company and for a time it produced the best selling motorcycles in the world. 
 
The Hall of Fame selects inductees from former competitive cyclists in the following categories: Veteran road and track racing 1970 and before; Modern road and track racing 1971 through 2005; Off-Road (Mountain, Cyclocross, or BMX) racing, and Contributors to the sport of bicycle racing.
 
The public is encouraged to attend the October 30^th Hall of Fame induction ceremony on the UC Davis campus.  The ceremony will include a dinner reception with high-profile speakers, and the opportunity to meet and greet all of the honorees. Additionally this year, USA Cycling will partner with the Hall of Fame to present awards to Athletes of the Year. Sales of event sponsorship and table packages as well as individual seating will begin in mid July.
 
The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame -- museum, membership organization and advocate for all aspects of cycling -- celebrates and preserves competitive cycling history, promotes safety and fitness and encourages participation in all cycling activities.  Founded in 1986 in Somerville, New Jersey, it has relocated to Davis, CA where it celebrated its grand opening on April 24, 2010. 
 
The Hall of Fame and bicycle museum are open during the Davis Farmer Market hours on Wednesday afternoons (4 to 8 p.m.) and Saturday mornings (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
 
For more information and for updates on the 2010 Induction Dinner and Award Ceremony, visit:  www.usbhof.com.

For Further Information Contact:
Joe Herget; Executive Director, US Bicycling Hall of Fame (540) 903-3613, jherget@usbhof.org