On Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. the Verona Historical Society will host New Jersey author, historian and journalist Michael C. Gabriele for a presentation on his book, “The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey”.
The meetings is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Verona Community Center ballroom at 880 Bloomfield Avenue.
Gabriele’s book, published by The History Press, is a comprehensive narrative on the Garden State’s colorful 130-year cycling heritage. The book documents New Jersey’s lost history as a hub for international bicycle racing, re-establishing the Garden State’s claim as the “cradle of cycling” for the United States.
In the 1880s and 1890s, amateur bike clubs throughout the state sparked the growth of the nascent cycling scene. During the sport’s golden era (1900-1940), the greatest professional and amateur cyclists from Europe, Australia, South America and throughout the North America came to race in New Jersey. The legendary velodromes of Newark and Nutley were the center stage for this grand international circuit. New Jersey was home to some of the world’s greatest cycling champions: Frank Kramer, Alf Goullet, Arthur A. Zimmerman and Willie Honeman.
A 1975 graduate of Montclair State University, Gabriele is a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society. Earlier this year Gabriele was a panel speaker for the New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition’s annual summit, which was held in New Brunswick.
For more information you can e-mail the Society or call 973-857-1968.
