United States Bicycling Hall of Fame facts for kids
The United States Bicycling Hall of Fame is a special place in Davis, California. It's a non-profit group that works to save and share the history of cycling. They also want to help the sport grow. The Hall of Fame started in 1986 in Somerville, New Jersey. Since 1987, they have honored cyclists who have done amazing things in racing or helped the sport a lot. The museum in Davis has been open since 2009.
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The Museum
The Hall of Fame museum is located at 303 3rd Street in Davis, California. You can find it on the top floor of the building. Inside, you can see bicycles that belonged to famous riders like Major Taylor and Frank Louis Kramer. There are also cool items like a championship sash and medals from Frank Kramer.
The main floor of the museum has different exhibits that change. For example, in 2010, there was a display about the Tour of California race. There was also an exhibit all about the famous cyclist Greg LeMond.
In the basement, you'll find a large collection of old and historic bicycles. This includes very early models like the Draisine and Velocipede. The museum also shows how bicycles have changed quickly from the 1950s until today.
How It Started
The Hall of Fame used to be in Somerville, New Jersey. In April 2009, they announced they would move to Davis. The new museum in downtown Davis officially opened on April 24, 2010. The Hall of Fame joined other historic bicycles already in Davis. Davis is known for its great bicycling paths and culture. The new museum took the place of a teen center, which was a bit of a change for local teenagers. However, many of the teen center's activities, like dances, moved to another place called the Veteran's Memorial Center.
Honoring Cycling Heroes
The United States Bicycling Hall of Fame honors people who have made a big difference in cycling. These people are called "inductees." They are chosen because they achieved great success in racing or helped the sport grow in important ways. Many amazing cyclists and people who supported cycling have been inducted over the years.
Early Road & Track Stars (Before 1945)
This group includes cyclists who were famous before 1945. They competed in road races and on special tracks. Some well-known inductees from this time include Tillie Anderson, Frank Louis Kramer, and Major Taylor.
Road & Track Stars (1945-1975)
This section honors cyclists who competed between 1945 and 1975. They were also known for their skills on the road and track. Audrey McElmury and Sheila Young-Ochowicz are examples of inductees from this era.
Modern Road & Track Stars (After 1975)
These are cyclists who became famous after 1975. They continued to push the limits in road and track cycling. Famous names like Connie Carpenter-Phinney, Greg LeMond, and Nelson Vails are part of this group.
People Who Helped the Sport (Contributors)
This category is for people who didn't necessarily race but helped cycling in other important ways. They might have been coaches, organizers, or inventors. Eddie Borysewicz and Jim Ochowicz are examples of contributors.
Mountain Biking Legends
This group celebrates the pioneers and top athletes in mountain biking. These riders helped make mountain biking a popular sport. Juliana Furtado and Ned Overend are among the mountain biking legends honored.
BMX Champions
BMX (Bicycle Motocross) is a thrilling type of cycling. This category honors the best BMX riders. Cheri Elliott and Stu Thomsen are some of the BMX champions in the Hall of Fame.
Off-Road Cycling Stars
This section includes athletes who excelled in other types of off-road cycling, beyond just mountain biking or BMX. Alison Dunlap is an example of an off-road competitor who has been inducted.
Special Recognition
Sometimes, the Hall of Fame gives special recognition to groups or events that have had a huge impact on cycling. For example, the 7-Eleven Cycling Team and the Tour of Somerville race have received this honor.
See also
- Mountain Bike Hall of Fame
