Nelson Vails among four 2009 inductees into U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame

October 27, 3:25 PMCycling ExaminerJames Raia

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Nelson Vails
Image courtesy of Bushnell Tandems

Four diverse athletes and contributors to the world of cycling will be inducted Nov. 7 into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame at the organization's annual induction banquet.

The honorees include: Richard Cortright (Olympian), Phyllis Harmon (cycling contributor), Clayton John (BMX organizer) and Nelson Vails (Olympian).

The induction dinner will be held at UC Davis near the new location of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.

The pending inductees were selected, according to Hall of Fame President Dawn Wylong, "because of their accomplishments in the sport of cycling and that induction into the Hall of Fame will serve as a poignant reminder of their support, dedication, and sacrifice to the sport."
 
The honorees' pedigrees:
 
Richard Cortright — Named Senior Amateur Bicycle League of America’s Best All Around Rider; Represented the United States at the 1952, 1956 and 1960; Won a Gold Medal in the Team Pursuit at the 1959 Pan American Games; Turned professional in 1961 and competed in 6-day bicycle races in Canada; Currently works as speaker at “Touch the Torch” ceremonies.
 
Phyllis Harmon — Resurrected at age 19 in 1937, the League of American Wheelmen, the oldest bicycling organization in the United States. The organization named its Volunteer Award in her honor for her nearly 70 years with the organization.
 
Clayton John — Instrumental in the formation and evolution of the sport of BMX racing; Bicycle shop owner and Penn State University cycling coach; Built many BMX tracks and credited with creating many of the rules that govern BMX racing; President of the American BMX Association since 1985; Organizes more than than 30 national level BMX events each year.
 
Nelson Vails — First African American cyclsit to win an Olympic medal in bicycling in the 1984 Track Sprint; Gold Medalist in the 1983 Pan American Games, 1984 National Sprint Champion, National Tandem Sprint Champion in 1984, and 1985 & 1986 and 1985 silver medalist in the Tandem Sprint at the World Championships; Starred with Kevin Bacon in “Quicksilver” a movie about NYC bike messengers; Cycling television network commentator.
 
The Hall of Fame, part museum, membership organization and advocate for all aspects of cycling, celebrates and preserves cycling’s history, promotes safety and fitness, and encourages participation in all cycling activities.

Olympic gold medalist Connie Carpenter-Phinney, wife of Tour de France stage winner Davis Phinney and mother of current pro rider Taylor Phinney, will be the keynote speaker.
 
 For more information, visit: www.usbhof.com or www.californiabicyclemuseum.org.