The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey
Author Michael C. Gabriele traces 130 years of cycling history in the Garden State, illuminating the people and events that shaped the sport.
New Jersey is acknowledged as cradle of U.S. cycling, given the state's heritage and legacy in the sport. The "cycling craze" in New Jersey began in the 1880s, when Garden State communities and colleges formed some of the nation's first cycling clubs. In the 1920s and 1930s, sports writers used to say that cycling was New Jersey's "national sport." The state was home to grand, golden-era velodromes in Newark, Vailsburg and Nutley, which attracted the world's top professional bike racers. New Jersey also is home to the annual Tour of Somerville, which led the sport's transition to criterium racing and road rallies when the golden age of the velodromes ended in 1940.
The book profiles many golden age cycling champions such as Frank Kramer, Alf Goullet, and Arthur A. Zimmerman.
About Michael C. Gabriele (North Jersey Author)
Author Michael C. Gabriele lives in Clifton, NJ, and, during the last seven years, has written three books for Arcadia Publishing/The History Press: “The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey;” “The History of Diners in New Jersey;” and “New Jersey Folk Revival Music – History and Tradition.”
He’s currently “on tour” throughout the Garden State, doing book talks and programs for various libraries, historical societies, museums and civic organizations.
A lifelong New Jersey resident, Gabriele is a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist and freelance writer for four decades. He’s a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society and serves on the advisory board of the Clifton Arts Center.
