Joe Kopsky

After competing in the 1912 road race, Joe Kopsky of Jersey City, one of the founders of the Century Road Club of America, often told friends that the roads in Stockholm were so rough that he had torn up his tires and finished the race on his wooden rims. Earlier that year, on 5 May 1912, he set an American record for 150 miles in 8-26:27. Kopsky later rode as a professional in six-day races, competing from 1913-23, in Chicago, New York, Boston, and Kansas City, competing in 35 six-days, and racing until he was 49.

After retiring from racing, Kopsky worked as a steel worker, but also owned and operated a bicycle shop and helped engineer racing equipment. He started the North Hudson Wheelmen and the Belleville Bicycle Club, training many local riders in Northern Jersey. After World War II, Kopsky retired to Miami, living there until his death. His daughter, Doris, was a pioneer of American women’s cycling, winning the first US Women’s Championship in 1937, when she was only 15, and winning New Jersey titles in 1937-39.