Saw this real nice post over at Freeman Transport of some of the wise words from inspirational champion track rider Major Taylor.
Major Taylor’s celebrated values remain relevant to this day — not just for those who strive to succeed as a champion, but for those who desire to achieve in all aspects of life:
Don’t try to “gyp.”
Don’t be a pie biter.
Don’t keep late hours.
Don’t use intoxicants.
Don’t be a big bluffer.
Don’t eat cheap candies.
Don’t get a swelled head.
Don’t use tobacco in any form.
Don’t fail to live a clean life.
Don’t forget to play the game fair.
Don’t take in unfair advantage of an opponent.
Don’t forget the practice of good sportsmanship.
“These rules may seem simple enough, but it will require great morale and physical courage to adhere to them. But if carried out in the strict sense of the word it will surely lead to a greater success than could otherwise be attained.“
–Major Taylor, The Fastest Bicycle Rider In The World, 1928.
Tags: america, champion, hour record, inspiation, major taylor, track, usa, vintage
November 20, 2009 at 1:00 pm |
If Kieran the Kestrel saw these rules he would drop his pie right there and then. The same applies to me, however:
Gypsy – check
Pie eater – check
Late hours – check
Intoxicants – of course
Bluffer – Col de Bluffy?
etc.
November 20, 2009 at 11:52 pm |
It had been a while since I read the term pie-biter, but it came back to me. That Freeman post is remarkably similar to something Yokota Fritz over at cyclelicio.us published 2 years ago, though, with more background information. It’s an admirable piece, no doubt, worth reading But I would have liked to have seen Freeman through a link credit to Cyclelicious, after all, Freeman is in the business of selling inventory. At least the acknowledgment that this story was put together by another like minded, riding enthusiast and blogger some time ago. http://www.cyclelicio.us/2007/06/pie-biter.html.
November 25, 2009 at 12:26 pm |
[…] Remember a few days back I posted a story about Major Taylor’s words of wisdom? […]