A ‘Major’ impact on the biking community
5/3/2023
The month of May is national bike month. However, one of cycling’s most interesting stories is largely untold. Major Taylor Iowa bike club aims to change that.
Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor is a name that isn’t often uttered in the same sentences as this country’s other most renowned Black athletes, despite being the first of any to become a world champion. Taylor, as a teenager, won the sprint championships in the one-mile and two-mile competitions in 1899 and 1900. His legacy, in part, lives on through this nationwide cycling club.
President of the national Major Taylor Association, Lynne Tolman, has an inspiring aim for the club.
“Our goal is to make Major Taylor a household name like Jackie Robinson. Our shortest explanation of who Major Taylor is is that Major Taylor was the Jackie Robinson of cycling. As soon as you say Jackie Robinson, just those two words, people know who he was, what he did, and why he’s significant. Well, Major Taylor broke the racial barrier in his sport half a century before Robinson did it. So, really, we should be saying it the other way around, right? Jackie Robinson was the Major Taylor of baseball,” said Tolman.
Locally, Kristine Jimenez, who goes by Sunnie, considers herself the founder of Major Taylor Iowa (MTIA). However, the desire for this club to be created was never her own.
“I simply saw myself as the driving force helping to make a club happen here, and I decided if I was going to participate, I should probably educate myself on the life and legacy of Major Taylor,” said Jimenez.
During spring break of 2022, Jimenez and her children traveled to Indianapolis to see the Major Taylor exhibit in the Indiana State Museum.
“The story captivated my heart. The themes of resilience and success when faced with such adversity resonated with me. At that point, I had experienced overcoming some hard things, and the story was inspirational,” said Jimenez, thus leading to the club officially being established on March 22, 2022.
After taking in Taylor’s struggles with racism and prejudice, Jimenez knew she wanted Iowa’s club to represent the same values that Taylor’s story inspired in many.
“Our club is open to all individuals regardless of race, creed or skill level,” said Jimenez.
“Our mission statement is that, through the Major Taylor story and our club, we hope to advocate for Black cyclists by cultivating a supportive community of like-minded cyclists that build up, encourage equity and spark passion for the sport of cycling so it can be more accessible regardless of socioeconomic background, ethnicity or experience level,” Jimenez said. “I want Major Taylor Iowa to be a place where individuals can come no matter their experience or background and gain friendships, enjoy time on the bike and maybe learn something new.”
MTIA doesn’t charge fees for those who wish to join the club. Since its inception, the club has seen more than 80 individual riders tag along. Jimenez said that MTIA has more than 40 dedicated riders who come out in support on any given ride.
The club has a signature ride every Monday starting at Water Works Park at 6:30 p.m. Regardless of the weather, this group of riders will show up to demonstrate their positive and inclusive message.
“I would love to partner with other local clubs and bike shops to offer a bike clinic, volunteer more, and promote getting out of your comfort zone to try something new and also hope to continue to grow our teen program,” said Jimenez.
Last fall the group put on an event called the “Fall Frenzy,” a joint ride with the Major Taylor club located in Kansas City, which they hope to turn into an annual occurrence.
The club has also supported RAGBRAI and other Des Moines-located biking clubs such as Black Girls Do Bike to further spread the word about their growing club.
Jimenez hopes the club can continue to expand beyond their group rides. The relationships that have blossomed, and the camaraderie on display as a result of this community, are some of the many reasons Jimenez cherishes this club.
“I enjoy that it provides a place for my entire family. It gives me a place to shine and share and also allows me an outlet to do good in the community in an area that I am passionate about,” said Jimenez.
One of the club’s most prominent figures is Ross Wilburn. Wilburn was the first Black mayor of Iowa City, the first Black Iowan to be elected as the chair of either major political party in Iowa, and is the first Black state legislator from Story County where he currently serves as a state representative.
“The MTIA club offers me the chance to support diverse groups coming together for healthy activities, build a sense of community, and celebrate the history and accomplishments of Major Taylor,” said Wilburn.
Another member, Cedric Jones, said, “I love being involved with an organization that stands for something. Something that has a rich history. As a Black man who loves Black/American history, this was the perfect fit. The members are great, essentially a second family for me. What more can you ask for?”
Open to all ages and all people, MTIA hopes to continue to grow as a club and continue to spread their message across the metro. ♦
