From the Library: The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey

 

New Jersey has a lengthy and storied bike racing past. The states' major venues, such as the Vailsburg and Newark Velodromes and races like the Tour of Somerville, (from 1940 to the present day) are widely known and celebrated by followers of the sport. Yet each of those was preceded by places and races less well-known. This book provides a look into the Garden States' bicycle racing history from the earliest days, through the golden era of track and Six Day racing, and right on through to the origins of the Tour of Somerville, and that races earliest years and champions. Included are the people whose vision created the places to race, as well as those who made their fame, both great and small, on the boards and roads, from locals to world champions. It is like Fast Digs for New Jersey, filled with historic photos of venues and people, like the Bay View Wheelmen, the Mercer County Wheelmen, the Princeton Bicycle Team, Arthur Zimmerman, Floyd McFarland, Frank Kramer, Alf Grenda, Alf Goullet, Willie Honeman, the family Kugler, and many others.

If you are at all interested in the history of bicycle racing, this may be a worthy addition to your shelves.

Gabriele, Michael C.   The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey   Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2011