CHAPTER IV
A CORDIAL WELCOME
I was in Worcester only a very short time before I realized that there was no such race prejudice existing among the bicycle riders there as I had experienced in Indianapolis. When I realized I would have a fair chance to compete against them in races I took on a new lease of life, and when I learned that I could join the Y. M. C. A. in Worcester, I was pleased beyond expression. I recall that as a small boy I tried to join the Y. M. C. A. in Indianapolis, but was turned down on account of color, despite all the influence that some of the most influential families of the city could exert on my behalf.
It did not take me very long to get acquainted in Worcester, especially when its riders discovered that I owned a fine, light, racing wheel on which I could ride with the best of them. I shall always be grateful to Worcester as I am firmly convinced that I would shortly have dropped riding, owing to the disagreeable incidents that befell my lot while riding in and around Indianapolis, were it not for the cordial manner in which the people received me. Incidentally I was striving my utmost to make good on Mr. Munger’s promise to his Indianapolis friends to have me a champion when I returned to their city. Three years later I did return a full-fledged champion, and I cannot say whether Mr. Munger or myself was the happiest since I had previously been excluded from racing in that city because of my color.
I wish to pay my respects at this time to Mr. Edward W. Wilder, director of Athletics in Worcester schools, who was then physical director of the Worcester Y. M. C. A. when I arrived in that city. Not long after I arrived Mr. Munger took me to the Y. M. C. A. After examining me carefully, Mr. Wilder outlined some exercises that he felt would keep me in trim throughout the winter season. He found my legs quite naturally well-developed while the upper portions of my body were sorely in need of exercise. Following his instructions to the letter I succeeded in building the upper part of my body in excellent physical form, but not until I had put in two or three winter’s work in a gymnasium.
I used light dumb-bells, indian clubs and a Whitley exerciser in my room regularly, even while travelling, and became an adept at deep breathing through long and patient practice. At the height of my racing career many expert trainers declared that I was the best developed rider on the bicycle track.
