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Image for event: Iron Riders

Iron Riders

The Story of the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps

2026-06-18 18:00:00 2026-06-18 19:30:00 America/Chicago Iron Riders Learn the history of the "Iron Riders," an all-Black unit which, in 1897, embarked on an epic ride of more than 1,900 miles from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis as part of a U.S. Army experiment to determine the effectiveness of moving troops by bicycle. Presented by historian Kevin Smith, park/historic site specialist with Missouri State Parks. Co-sponsored by Local Motion. Adults and teens. Columbia Public Library - Friends Room

Thursday, June 18
6:00pm - 7:30pm

Add to Calendar 2026-06-18 18:00:00 2026-06-18 19:30:00 America/Chicago Iron Riders Learn the history of the "Iron Riders," an all-Black unit which, in 1897, embarked on an epic ride of more than 1,900 miles from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis as part of a U.S. Army experiment to determine the effectiveness of moving troops by bicycle. Presented by historian Kevin Smith, park/historic site specialist with Missouri State Parks. Co-sponsored by Local Motion. Adults and teens. Columbia Public Library - Friends Room

Learn the history of the "Iron Riders," an all-Black unit which, in 1897, embarked on an epic ride of more than 1,900 miles from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis as part of a U.S. Army experiment to determine the effectiveness of moving troops by bicycle. Presented by historian Kevin Smith, park/historic site specialist with Missouri State Parks. Co-sponsored by Local Motion. Adults and teens.

Learn the history of the "Iron Riders," Buffalo Soldiers who rode bicycles from Missoula, Montana to Forest Park, St. Louis in 1897. This was a military test to see if bicycles could replace horses in military troop movements. The group of Black soldiers made the 1,900 mile trek in 41 days riding fixed gear bicycles on railroad ties and game trails.

Presented by Kevin Smith, nationally recognized historian and park/historic site specialist with Missouri State Parks.

Co-sponsored by Local Motion, a Columbia, Missouri grassroots advocacy organization focused on transportation equity.

Adults and teens.

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | History & Genealogy | Featured |

TAGS: | Black History |

Columbia Public Library

Phone: 573-443-3161

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Mon, May 18 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, May 19 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 20 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 21 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 22 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, May 23 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 24 Closed

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