William S. PEDEN

William Peden, known as Torchy because of his red hair, was one of the early greats of Canadian cycling. He turned professional after the 1928 Olympics, and became known as a six-day racer. In his first four years he won 24 of the 48 six-days events he entered. Apart from his victories, Peden was also known for his antics during the race, often interacting with his audience. Between 1929 and 1948 he competed in 148 6-day races, winning 38 of them. He won five Canadian amateur championships in 1929 before turning pro. Peden returned to the Olympics as a coach of the Canadian cyclists. He later settled in the United States, where he worked in cycling administration and ran a Chicago sporting goods store. He is a member of the Canadian, British Columbia, and Greater Victoria Sports Halls of Fame.