Story County native creates two legacy bicycle rides in Iowa to honor Buffalo Soldiers
For those who missed getting into the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa in the early days, now is your chance to jump on the saddle for a new legacy ride sure to grow and become an annual beloved event.
The Buffalo Soldiers Legacy Ride is coming to Iowa with events this weekend and June 14 to honor a nearly forgotten ground-breaking experiment led by Black American soldiers in the late 19th century. The challenge was to determine whether newly designed bicycles featuring a chain drive and steerable front wheel could become an effective transportation tool in the United States Army.
This year is the 125th anniversary of the original Buffalo Soldier's bicycle ride from Ft. Missoula, Montana, to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1897. The ride was developed to test the practicality of the new transportation tool.
The soldiers' original route didn't take them through Iowa at all, but that isn't stopping Cedar Rapids resident Larry Ritland from commemorating the amazing feat of the original 23 men who accomplished the 1,900-mile mission.
The Buffalo Soldiers Legacy Rides in Iowa will take place rain or shine.
Two commemorative rides are scheduled in Iowa.
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Des Moines-area bicycle ride starts in Ankeny on Saturday
The Des Moines-area ride starts at Ryno Velo Bike Shop in Ankeny at 604 SW Third St., Ankeny. There is no registration, no fees and no donations.
"Simply show up and ride," Ritland said in a press release.
To avoid congestion, riders are encouraged to park at the High Trestle Trail parking lot on First Avenue in Ankeny, and then ride the 1 1/2 blocks south to the bike shop. Riders will be given a token for one complimentary adult beverage or soft drink at the VFW Hall in Madrid on the day of the ride.
Bikers will depart from Ryno Velo and bicycle north on the High Trestle Trail toward Madrid. Riders will travel at their own pace. Breaks and snacks are on their own.
The round-trip ride to Madrid is approximately 40-45 miles, Ritland said. That is approximately the average daily distances covered by the original Buffalo Soldiers on their primitive single-speed bicycles over their 41-day ride in 1897.
Daniel Dahlquist of Galena, Illinois, will have his Buffalo Soldiers replica bicycle on display at the Ryno Velo bike shop.
Cedar Rapids-area ride is June 14
The Cedar Rapids-area ride June 14 also requires no registration and no donations. Riders will meet at the Boyson Road Trailhead between 2 and 2:30 p.m.
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.
“This will be a fun afternoon and evening ride," Ritland said. "According to Alexa, the sun doesn’t set till 8:44 p.m. on this day. So, there should be plenty of time to complete the ride before dark."
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, snacks and meals are on their own.
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Organizer is a late bloomer
Event organizer Larry Ritland, 74, said he is a late bloomer to long distance bicycling, but has fallen in love with the challenge.
"I didn't start bicycling until I was 67. And in 2016, when I was 68, I bicycled the Alaskan Highway 1,387 miles from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Delta Junction, Alaska," Ritland said.
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Ritland, who grew up on a family farm near Roland, loved that long ride so much he decided to add a new accomplishment to the tic marks on his handlebars.
In 2019, on the 100th anniversary of the American Legion, he biked across the country — 3,620 miles.
"I'm just out there living the dream," Ritland said about his bicycling enthusiasm.
Ritland said in a press release that even though the bicycle never became an integral piece of Army equipment, it was not due to lack of effort by the Buffalo Soldiers.
"Those incredible men went above and beyond to complete the mission successfully," Ritland said.
Once the Buffalo Soldiers arrived in St. Louis, over 10,000 people gave them a hero’s welcome. They later returned to Ft. Missoula by train, Ritland said.
Subsequent bicycle trips requested by Lt. James Moss, commander of the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, were denied by the Army. In April of 1898, most of the 25th were deployed to Cuba during the Spanish-American War, participating in the famous charge up San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.
By this time, motorized equipment caught the attention of the Army, essentially putting an end to the bicycle program.
Ames Tribune reporter Ronna Faaborg also reported for this story. Teresa Kay Albertson covers Des Moines' southern suburbs for the Register and the Indianola Record-Herald. Reach her at talbertson@registermedia.com or 515-419-6098.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Buffalo Soldiers are honored in two legacy bicycle rides in Iowa
