20 Black Soldiers Form 1897 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps

Today we take another look at Gozaic’s Cycling Through History Circle. Mike Higgins spent the past six years researching the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps and writes on behalf of the Adventure Cycling Association. This infantry of 23 people included 20 black soldiers who comprised one of the original bands of “adventure cyclists” and made the first American long-distance group tour. Their mission was to test the newly invented “safety bicycle,” which had two wheels of equal size. The 1,900-mile tour began at the fort in Missoula, Montana, and ended 41 days later in St. Louis where the men were welcomed by more than 10,000 people.

Read about this fascinating journey, the people they met along the way and the challenges they encountered riding in the mountains and mud. Even learn where they found the best slice of pie along the route!

Photo: Young boys admire the “wheels” of the 1897 25th Bicycle Corps. Photo by Eddie Boos, Corps reporter. Photo courtesy of the Archives & Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.