Description

Trail Ride

Distance - 46 miles

This story needs to be told:

Imagine: you show up for your morning job briefing and you hear this; “Good morning, men!  Get your bicycles ready, only pack the essentials, don’t forget your rifle and ammunition, we’re headed for St. Louis, Missouri.”  You’re a member of the 25th Infantry Regiment, one of the all-black US Army units known as the Buffalo Soldiers, more accustomed to riding horses than riding bicycles.  “We leave tomorrow at daybreak, probably be traveling for a couple of months”.  The year is 1897, the location is Ft. Missoula, Montana, and St. Louis is 1,900 miles away.

The Buffalo Soliders Legacy ride will take place on Tuesday, June 14. This is the 125th anniversary. There is no registration, no fees, no donations, simply show-up and ride.  We ride rain or shine.  Riders can meet at the Boyson Road Trailhead between 2:00 and 2:30pm.

Ride participants will receive a token and a “secret phrase”.  The token is good for one complimentary adult beverage or soft drink at House Divided in Ely, and the “secret phrase” can be mentioned at Briar Ridge Bikes in Solon for a complimentary gift on the day of the ride.

Route

Riders can meet at the Boyson Road Trailhead between 2:00 and 2:30pm.The ride will go south on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail through Cedar Rapids, on to Ely and turn-around in Solon.  For those who want to ride the complete route the round trip distance is 46 miles, the same distance the Buffalo Soldiers averaged on their ride in 1897.  Riders can ride at their own pace, breaks and snacks/meals are on their own, have fun.  For more information contact Larry Ritland at: larry.ritland@gmail.com

Registration

There is no registration, no fees, no donations, simply show-up and ride.  We ride rain or shine.

Contact

Larry Ritland

larry.ritland@gmail.com

515-460-3661