Back in Missouri, there are events at Big Lake State Park, Pershing’s boyhood home, Monroe City and the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. “We tried to involve the communities that the gentlemen actually passed through on their journey,” says Kevin.
Big Lake State Park is the first stop. “That’s right across from Rulo, Nebraska where the men of the 25th infantry ferried across the Missouri River,” says Kevin. “We’ll have demonstrations and rangers will be doing safety programs. We’ll have all sorts of information about the riders and the bikes they rode as well as a bicycle rodeo for kids to navigate obstacles.”
Also on display are a uniformed mannequin and a replica of the bicycles ridden by the soldiers. The parks commissioned James Allen — who owns a bicycle museum in Springfield — to help rebuild the bikes for the commemoration. “I found a pair of 1897 bicycles and with my neighbor we cleaned up the bikes,” James says.
The whole process took nearly two years to find the right parts, hand stitch the case, complete a satin paint job and all the little details that make the bike perfect to display. “We wanted everything to be just right,” James says. “They had to look just like they did when they were ridden by the Buffalo Soldiers. And they’re made to last, they’ll still be here when we’re gone.”
Scouts from Brookfield Troop 41 will join in the nearly 50-mile portion of the ride from Hamilton to the General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home in Laclede. Site administrator Denzil Heaney is looking forward to the visit.
“They’re going to have a great time,” he says. “It’s a story they’ll tell for years that they rode as part of the 125th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers bicycle corps ride.”
Similar events will be held at the historic site, which will also permanently display the mannequin and one of the rebuilt bicycles. Participants will camp out in the Monroe City square later in the week. “It used to be a fort at one time and that’s where the gentlemen slept on their way to St. Louis,” explains Kevin.
The trip culminates at the Missouri History Museum inside St. Louis’ Forest Park on Sunday, July 24 with plenty of history being shared with a new generation.
“We’re really excited about this,” says Denzil. “This is a great bit of history that’s coming to life in our community and we’ve had a great response.’ ”
For more information on the events to honor the bicycle corps, visit www.mostateparks.com/ironriders.
