This Black History Month, we want to shine the spotlight on a few of the Black cyclists who inspire us to be better athletes and advocates for accessible outdoor spaces.
Oliver “Butch” Martin II
Hailing from Harlem, Oliver “Butch” Martin II was the first Black American to join both the U.S. Olympic road cycling team and the U.S. Olympic track cycling team. He had a famous Olympian as a mentor and coach on the cycling club he joined in New York as a teenager: Herbert “Herbie” Francis, the first Black cyclist to compete for the United States.
Butch’s story takes place right at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, shaping his experience as a Black teenager coming of age in America and as a competitive cyclist in a sport dominated by white men. His times were downgraded, there were multiple attempts to disqualify him, and Butch was denied medals he clearly won. Nevertheless, he continued cycling and made the Olympic team. He then moved to Italy, competing in the European circuit for several years before returning to the US for college during the Vietnam War. His story has many more twists and turns and speed bumps along the way.
To read about his fascinating life story and what happened in his life and career next, check out this interview by John Wilcockson for Velo in 2024.
Ayesha McGowan
Ayesha McGowan was born in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2019, she made history as the first Black American woman to join a pro road cycling team, demonstrating just how far the sport still has to go to be a diverse and inclusive space for all.
Ayesha’s decision to change history came when she was still commuting to and from work in Brooklyn by bike. She discovered the lack of African American women in professional cycling, recognized she had the ability to change that, and began training. Now retired from pro cycling and living in Spain, Ayesha uses her voice to address that racial disparity as an advocate, speaker, and writer.
She created and runs “Thee Abundance Project,” providing BIPOC cyclists with valuable resources, skills camps, and workshops to overcome systemic and social barriers to outdoor recreation and pro cycling. Her work specifically focuses on removing access barriers and creating pathways for the women who follow in her footsteps. You can learn more about Ayesha on her website, The Quick Brown Fox, where she posts regular blog updates about her life, challenges, cycling adventures and bike camps.
Maize Wimbush
Next on our list is cycling sensation Maize Wimbush from Maryland. Maize, who has been racing since she was 9, became the first Black female to win the title of Female Junior Road National Champion at the 2021 USA Cycling Amateur Road Nationals at age 15, and is a current member of the Kings Rule Together – Queens Rule Together Racing team. She has her sights set on the competing in the 2028 Olympics as the first African American woman in a cycling event.
In her life outside of professional cycling, Maize is an ambassador for the sport and motivates youth through speaking engagements, youth programs, and bike giveaways. You can find her on Instagram (@amaizencyclist) to follow her competitive cycling journey. Pictured above: Maize Wimbush (L) and Homare Yamashita (R) celebrate their 2021 USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championship win.
Justin & Cory Williams
Based in Los Angeles, brothers Justin and Cory Williams are known for dominating criterium racing and for mentoring young talent. The Williams brothers are professional cyclists who founded the UCI Continental team L39ION of Los Angeles in 2019 to increase diversity and inclusion in the sport. Despite the existence of Black-owned cycling clubs and amateur cycling teams, L39ION is the only Black-owned professional cycling team in the world.
Competitive cycling is part of the Williams’ family tradition. Calman Williams, their father, competed in the Pan-American Games and was a famous cyclist in his home country of Belize. Their uncles are also veterans of the sport. Justin and Cory both hold many awards and championship wins in the US and abroad.
Justin (L) and Cory (R) in their L39ION of Los Angeles jerseys (pictured above).
Further Reading
- https://www.aquickbrownfox.com/
- https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a45270350/ayesha-mcgowan-first-black-american-woman-pro-cyclist/
- https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/back-from-the-brink-ayesha-mcgowan-ready-to-race-illness-ruined-her-full-worldtour-debut/
- https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a39441010/get-to-know-maize-wimbush-junior-cyclist/
- https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-culture/butch-martin-first-african-american-olympic-cyclist-both-road-track/
- https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/53663002