Trek of the US 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps

On June 20, 1897, The Salt Lake Tribune opined: “Not many years ago the bicycle was looked upon as a mere toy, a kind of dandy-horse, and the riders were regarded as fit subjects for pity. That time, however, is a thing of the past.” The paper was not just talking about the growing trend of bicycle clubs forming throughout the nation, but about a specific, and rather extraordinary, bicycle trip.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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Script by THG

#history #thehistoryguy #bicycletrip

[gerry]

50 miles a day on rough roads, carrying all that equipment is quite impressive.

[jonathanguthrie]

I really like how The History Guy includes a list of the people involved when those people deserve to be remembered, too.

[joby]

"Solider, where are you going?"

"The Lord only knows, we're following the Lieutenant"

Quite possibly the the most honest statement ever made by an enlisted man.

[dirus]

THe man that invented the better bicycle seat deserves a medal.

[Roboq]

One of my favorite episodes. Had every thing but pirates! In the last 12 years "gravel bikes" have become all the rage. Amazing to see that back in 1897 the infantry bike was very close to the gravel bike of the 21st century.

[lvtiguy]

As an avid cyclist, I was immediately drawn to this episode. I had never heard of this aspect of American history and that of the Buffalo Soldiers who made up the 25th. Thank you for shining a light on bicycle “history that deserves to be remembered.”

[richardjohnson]

I was in the Marine Corp and my last duty was at Key West Naval Station on guard duty. This was 1964 to 1965. One of our assignments was one that required two men on bicycles to check security points on a small island . I enjoyed that post.

[briangarrow]

American cyclists salute these brave pioneers of two wheeled transportation. And give a heartfelt thank you to the History Guy for sharing this story with us.

[marcmcfarland]

In Vietnam the NVA and Vietcong used bicycles very effectively to move men and materials down the Ho Chi Minh trail. Never underestimate the humble bicycle.

[vac]

The best thing is the listof names of or the soldiers of the US 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps. Bravo!

[markowsley]

As a cyclist this trip was amazing. These troops were bikepacking before it became a thing. Carrying all of that weight on old bikes and still averaged over 50 miles a day. Goes to show you that an expensive lightweight bike is not needed to complete a long journey. Huge respect to the troops who made the journey. Definitely a story that needs to be told.

[jetsons]

Now I want to watch the 1989 movie "GLORY" again.... Thanks HG

[obsidianjane]

Listing their names at the end was a nice touch.

[longrider]

I did a report about this military ride, way back in the 80's. they also rode into Yellowstone National Park. So fun stuff to read about.

[grapeshot]

I read a book about the Buffalo Soldiers that had a chapter in said book dedicated to the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps. Very interesting.

[jimgraham]

During its World War 2 invasion of Malaya the Japanese made extensive use of bicycle mounted infantry to speed their advance down the peninsula.

[HMSGT]

"50 miles in the saddle by Major Ass Burns". Old cavalry joke, but never thought about it with bicycles before! Fun to ride a bike on the street, or a trail but breaking Trail on a bike especially one that's in the 30 kg range? Holy cow!

[RoscoesRiffs]

I spent a week in Kyoto, Japan. As dawn broke every morning, I awoke to an odd din. When I looked out my downtown hotel's window, I saw thousands of people riding to work on the main highway and surface roads. My host informed me cars are not allowed to use the roads during the morning and evening bicycle rush hours. 😎

[recstoppauseplay]

This is great. Thank you Mr. History Guy for a terrific look at the US 25th infantry bicycle corps. As an avid cyclist I'm so impressed and proud of these guys and the Lieutenant who had such remarkable foresight. 'Love to see more and more good bicycle infrastructure in all of N America. Many places in Europe, especially The Netherlands are fine examples of what can be done.

[TheZinmo]

Fun fact: The Swiss hat bicycle troops until 2003. They were seen as fast and silent mobile infantery, not in the swiss alps, but in the flatter part of the country north of those (where most of the people live). One reason was that bicyle troops could be mobile without gasoline - switzerland imports all of that.