Anyone who’s spent time as a hobbyist in cycling knows how much the sport looks the same as it always has. Not only does cycling have inherent barriers to entry for people of color, but most of the issues are systemic, running all the way up the tiers to the highest levels of competition.
But despite the many of the obstacles that have stood and continue to stand in their way, Black athletes have a rich heritage in the sport. The documentation of these stories in Desire Discrimination Determination–Black Champions in Cycling, published by Rapha, is likely the most comprehensive collection to date, with captivating insight from Black cyclists young and old.
