Our Mission

The Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota, established in 1999, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social/recreational club that promotes safe and fun cycling geared towards the African-American communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, although all are welcome to join us.

We achieve this through group riding events for cyclists of all ages and levels. The Club also seeks to educate the public about its namesake - legendary cyclist Major Taylor - who in 1899 became the first African-American world cycling champion. 

Our History

The Club came into existence in 1999 when three Black women decided to bike the 500-mile Twin Cities-to-Chicago AIDS Ride which was taking place that summer.  Through existing friendships, four Black men who were so excited to see Black women stepping up to take on a ride of this magnitude offered to help the ladies prepare for the ride.  In the midst of regular training rides over a few months, the group enjoyed the camaraderie and community that had been created.  Once the women returned to Minnesota after completing the AIDS Ride, it was decided to form the Club after a 70-mile celebratory ride out to Stillwater, Minnesota.  The foundation was laid that day and the name chosen to honor the 1899 world cycling champion.  The Club is one of the older Black cycling clubs and was a founding member of the then National Brotherhood of Cyclists, a grassroots organization that was started in 2008 by a group of Black cycling clubs from around the country with 50+ clubs under its umbrella.