Major Taylor Century -- Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009

[ltolman]

MAJOR TAYLOR CENTURY -- Oct. 4, 2009

Seven Hills Wheelmen and 10th Gear Christian Youth Cyclists present:

MAJOR TAYLOR CENTURY
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Whitinsville, Mass. (see directions below)
http://www.sevenhillswheelmen.org/centuries.htm

Bicycle 25, 62 or 100 miles on the scenic roads of south-central Massachusetts, plus a
bit of Rhode Island and Connecticut.

All rides leave from the Whitin Community Center, 60 Main St., Whitinsville, Mass.

CENTURY (100 miles) -- check-in 7:15-8 a.m., depart 8 a.m.
METRIC CENTURY (62 miles) -- check in 8:30-9 a.m., depart 9 a.m.
QUARTER CENTURY (25 miles) -- check-in 9:30-10 a.m., depart 10 a.m.
RAIN OR SHINE

Entry fees
Before Sept. 30, 10th Gear & Seven Hills Wheelmen members, $15; nonmembers, $20.
Day of ride, 10th Gear & Seven Hills Wheelmen members, $20; nonmembers, $25.

Online preregistration: http://www.sevenhillswheelmen.org/majortaylor

No mail-in registration.

Entry fee covers continental breakfast, cue sheet, arrowed route and snacks. Helmets are
required. Proceeds benefit 10th Gear, Major Taylor Association, and Seven Hills Wheelmen.

WHO WAS MAJOR TAYLOR? Marshall W. "Major" Taylor (1878-1932), who lived in Worcester, was
world cycling champion in 1899 and American sprint champion in 1900. Known as "the
Worcester Whirlwind" and "the colored cyclone," he was the second black world champion in
any sport (the first was bantamweight boxer George Dixon in 1891). More about Major
Taylor and the new Major Taylor monument at the Worcester Public Library:
http://www.majortaylorassociation.org

Century information: Arlen Hall, (508) 864-1308, mtc@10thgear.com
or Mark Chauvin, icehockeyusa@verizon.net
http://www.sevenhillswheelmen.org/centuries.htm

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Directions -- Whitinsville is part of the town of Northbridge.

FROM THE NORTH: Take I-290 west and connect to Route 146 south in the center of Worcester
at Brosnihan Square. Follow Route 146 south to the Purgatory Road exit. Turn left at the
end of the ramp. Follow this road about 3 miles into the center of Whitinsville. The
Whitin Community Center will be on your left. Turn left at the next traffic light on Hill
Street. The entrance is 100 feet ahead on the left.

FROM THE EAST OR WEST: Take Mass. Turnpike (I-90) to Exit 10A (Worcester/Route 146).
Follow Route 146 south 8 miles to the Purgatory Road exit. Turn left at the end of the
ramp. Follow this road about 3 miles into the center of Whitinsville. The Whitin
Community Center will be on your left. Turn left at the next traffic light on Hill
Street. The entrance is 100 feet ahead on the left.

FROM RHODE ISLAND: Follow Route 146 north to the Lackey Dam Road exit in Mass. Turn right
at the end of the ramp. Follow this road 3 miles to the center of Whitinsville (traffic
light). The Whitin Community Center entrance is straight ahead 100 feet on the left, on
Hill Street.
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[rusto]

Bleh, wanted to do this ride but haven't been on the bike all week...

[Jeffrey Scornavacca]

I'm in for the 100 miles! It's a great ride. Hope to see some other MRC jerseys out there.

[carlshimer]

I got the go-ahead early this morning to do this ride. I left my house and biked to Whitinsville but didn't get there until 8:20 or so. Sounds like everyone else left earlier. I didn't see many people on the ride. Those that did seem to have on a ridiculous amount of rain gear - I only had arm warmers!

The route is really nice, especially the parts through Rhode island and Connecticut. We should do more training rides down to Thompson CT. Unfortunately my front derailleur cable broke around mile 60. What's odd is that the my left front shifter might also be broken - it doesn't "click" anymore. Oh well Ultimately not really much of a problem getting home in the small ring.

[Jeffrey Scornavacca]

It turned out to be great day though the roads were plenty wet at the start and the bike required a complete cleaning afterwards. I'm always surprised (somehow) with the amount of climbing in the last 30 miles of the event.

Thanks to Lynn Tolman and all those at Seven Hills Wheelmen and 10th Gear Christian Youth Cyclists for putting this together year after year!