The Iron Riders

    The Iron Riders were a group of U.S. Army Buffalo soldiers who were tasked with a daunting job: bike 1,900 miles from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri. Officially known as the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, this group of men had to test whether bicycles were a more efficient way to travel over long distances, as opposed to the standard horseback. After 41 grueling days, the Iron Riders, whose nickname was given retroactively, arrived in St. Louis. Fast forward 125 years, cyclist Erick Cedeño, also known as The Bicycle Nomad, has retraced the steps of these men in their honor. The Missouri History Museum commemorated the soldiers on Sunday, July 24th 2022, as Cedeño finished his long journey.