Meet John Kennedy Howard, author of The Black Cyclone

John Kennedy Howard has held world cycling records at both ends of the spectrum of madness; speed and endurance. He is a three-time Olympian and has coached many national and international champions from Olympic gold medal fame to the grueling Race Across America. A cycling journalist, Howard has five book titles and hundreds of articles spanning every facet of cycling. But one story really drove him to right a wrong. Marshall Walter Taylor was the highest paid athlete and the most recognized athletic champion at the turn of the century—a cyclist who dominated the sport. But because he was Black, in an America divided by race, his amazing and courageous story was lost to obscure history. He was in fact, the first African-American to break the color barrier in sports. In his book The Black Cyclone: A Hero The World Forgot, John Howard brings to life “Major” Taylor. Researched extensively over years and through interviews with Taylor’s daughter before her passing, The Black Cyclone chronicles the life and times of the man who reigned as the U.S. National Champion, and then World Champion in 1899, and set Europe afire on the cycling circuit. And in the most exquisite historic justice, John Kennedy Howard and Marshall “ Major” Walter Taylor entered the Cycling Hall of Fame on the very same day in 1989. John is here today to speak about the novel that he and co-author Rene Maurer have woven from the actual life of Major Taylor.

You can learn more about Major Taylor's story and purchase the book at: https://majortaylorstory.com/

You can contact John at https://www.facebook.com/JohnHowardPerformanceSports