Was reading a book about Teddy Roosevelt and came across a small mention of a little bike ride from Missoula, MT to St. Louis, MO in 1897.
https://bicyclecorps.blogspot.com/
So, if you've got a day or two you can read all about it.

Great story. They were highly M-O-T-I-V-A-T-E-D, highly D-E-D-I-C-A-T-E-D!

Missoula, MT ... the current home of the Adventure Cycling Association!

https://www.adventurecycling.org/

ss, As soon as I get a chance I'll read more of the account. From what little I did read, I should be embarrased about whining about riding a modern, purpose built touring bike on bad pavement!

I can verify that gumbo mud is a p*sser. Slick as ice, adheres like glue and has the properties of grinding paste!

Brad

On almost every ride I go on with the bike club, they take me through a small park with dirt trails and not particularily rough ones. Each time it happens, i think to myself "slow down eejits! This ain't no friggin mountain bike!"
the shame of it.....

Umm......guess it's time I quite whining about Texas chip seal. That was a bunch of really tough dudes.

W/a little research I was able to determine that freewheel cogs had been developed by this time period, so at least they didn't have to attempt this ride on fixed-gear bikes. Haven't been able to find out whether the 3 sp igh or derailleur had.

All the bikes are equipped w/full coverage chainguards, so it's doubtful re a derailleur system. Most likely a freewheeling single-speed. One piece cranks? I'd venture something like 42x18-20. It's hard to tell from the pics whether the bikes have coaster brakes or calipers.

Man, w/all the food and equipment each soldier had to carry? And things weren't light in those days. Canvas tents and wool uniforms? Wow. Incredible accomplishment.

The May 2011 issues of Adventure Cyclist had an article titled "The Bicycling Buffalo Soldiers" by Dan D'Ambrosio.

Derailleur gears did not come in until after WW1. I'm not sure when the IGH hubs came out, but I think it was in the 20's or 30's.

From Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derailleur_gears Scroll down to 'History'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hub_gear

Full developement of either ders or IGH was too late for this venture. Maybe flip-flop freewheel hubs? One for climbing and one for descending? 50+ miles per day for 40+ days on a ss is quite a feat no matter what.

Thomas Stevens, cycled around the world 1884-86. His book is onlline, and in print.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_..._%28cyclist%29

PBS did a documentary amazing vid
https://www.shoppbs.org/product/index...ductId=2608131
Some more stories
https://www.buffalosoldiers-lawtonftsill.org/bike.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSeG8gMBr28

This video clip gives you an idea of where the idea went ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkjpD...eature=related

Quite an athletic achievement, no doubt. On an Ordinary to boot.


Myself I prefer this guy: https://www.bikerumor.com/2009/12/04/...und-the-world/ His son is an attorney here in Nashville. There's a book available re this 'world 'rounder' as well.

In his day it was more a cultural achievement. The world was really not used to seeing tourists. He did not pass unnoticed, and was nearly killed on several occasions out of people's enthusiasms as much as anything else.