At the National Senior Games, two athletes prove that a century-old legacy is still a powerful driving force.
Among the thousands of inspiring competitors in this year’s National Senior Games, two cyclists stand out for the powerful historical legacy they carry with them.
Louis Moore riding in the 10K Cycling Time Trial at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana.
Louis Moore, 84, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Phyllis Brown, 80, of Beavercreek (Dayton), Ohio, are dedicated members of the Major Taylor Bicycling Clubs. This national network is named for Marshall “Major” Taylor, a pioneering African-American cyclist who became a world champion in the Jim Crow era.
For Louis, the bicycle has been a constant companion since 1963, when it was his primary mode of transportation. His passion for cycling grew, but he often rode alone. “For many years I rode by myself,” he recalls. That solitary road was often marked by prejudice, a memory underscored by a fellow cyclist who once said, “I’ve never seen any Black people on bikes before. I thought you guys just played basketball.”
Today, the Major Taylor Bicycling Club has transformed his experience, giving him a community with “plenty of folks to ride with.” He hopes the club’s legacy will be to ensure the community has a voice in decisions about local cycling facilities.
Phyllis’s path to the Major Taylor Bicycling Club came from a different place. An athlete her entire life, she turned to cycling after her children were grown, seeking a new outlet for her energy and competitive spirit.
Phyllis Brown
It was a choice that paid off in a big way at The Games where she earned her first-ever gold medal, in cycling. “I was amazed,” she said. At 80, Phyllis embodies the joy of finding a new passion and the power of staying active. Her advice is simple: “Just do something that you really like to do and enjoy it.”
Louis Moore and Phyllis Brown’s stories are united by a shared mission to honor Taylor’s legacy and represent a community often overlooked. Through the Major Taylor Club, they show how the fight for representation has evolved from a single man’s struggle to a thriving, collective effort, pedaling forward for generations to come.
By: Danielle Brown
