Four cycling icons inducted into U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame

November 8, 5:18 PMCycling ExaminerJames Raia

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Nelson Vails
Image courtesy of USA Cycling

The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame has inducted four unique contributors — Richard Cortright, three-time Olympian; Phyllis Harmon, lifetime cyclist, legendary volunteer; Clayton John, BMX icon, businessman, promoter; and Nelson Vails, Olympic and World Championship medalist, professional keirin racer.

The new members boost to 124 membership in the exclusive fraternity. It began in 1986 and "recognizes American competitive cyclists and contributors to the sport of cycling for their significant achievements."

Each new honoree received a glowing introduction and with the exception of Cortright (who died in September at age 79), recipients gave sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, sometimes laborious acceptance speeches during the five-hour catered dinner and auction held Nov. 7 at Freeborn Hall in Davis.

Michael Aisner, long-time bicycling promoter and cycling historian who brought the Coors International Bicycle Classic to global prominence, provided witty and well-timed commentary as emcee.

Connie Carpenter Phinney, the 1984 women's road race gold medalist, wife of Hall of Fame member Davis Phinney and mother of world champion Taylor Phinney, was the keynote speaker.

Dr. Max Testa, a consulting physician to many cyclists and a team doctor to several pro squads, honored Steve Larsen, the highly accomplished pro cyclist and triathlete and a native of Davis, who died earlier this year at age 39.

In her concluding keynote address, Carpenter talked about her son's career and reminisced about her career and winning the inaugural women's Olympic road race gold medal in Los Angeles.

"There were people who camped out overnight to watch us," said Carpenter Phinney. "There were American flags and signs with our names on them. I remember that more than the race. When I started and raced in Europe, you were lucky if the coaches cheered for you."

The evening was catered by Sacramento restaurant Il Fornaio with contributions from Peloton Cellars and New Belgium Brewing.

Here's a briefing on each inductee:

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. Key comments: Robert Tetzlaff (2005 inductee), who spoke on behalf of his deceased competitor and friend, said: "He was the fastest cyclist I ever saw. I won a lot of races, but I never beat Richard Cortright."
 
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. Key comments: Harmon told the audience she once traveled with six men (it drew audience laughter) and that she's been a cyclist for 82 years.
 
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. Key comments: With class, thanked his wife and daughters for their support through the difficult years when BMX was a fledgling sport.
 
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. Key comments: Interjected poignant moments about his African-American heritage with perfectly timed humor: "Look at me. I look good," he said during a slide show. Vails said he once asked the Dahli Lama to move his car. And he told the audience: "I'm about the start a new career as a personal concierge in Las Vegas. Visit me, spent $6,000 or $7,000, and I'll set you up."

The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, which recently moved its museum to Davis, will have a grand opening in the spring of 2010.

For more information, visit: www.usbhof.com.

Follow me on Twitter @James Raia

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