My bike has been my constant companion over the last few months. Sometimes its a butt burning ride, other times just a short jaunt.
But I came across this little bit of history while sorting through the many bits of papers I tend to cut out of magazines before getting rid of them. It's my way of believing that I'm not really a saver or clutterer.
On June 14, 1897, 20 black soldiers departed from Fort Missoula, MT, on bicycles, as part of an experimental bike regiment formed by Army General Nelson Miles. Their destination: St. Louis, almost 2,000 miles away.
Spalding Bicycle Company donated 22 samples of its top model for the trip. Each was loaded with 70 pounds of supplies, weapons and ammunition. The men rode them through rocky wagon ruts, across trackless desert and over bumpy train tracks, and pushed them through Nebraska's Sand Hills. Averaging more than 50 miles a day, they arrived in St. Louis.
When they rolled into town, many St. Louis residents escorted them on the last miles of their trip.
(excerpt from Bicycling, September 2002)
Well I guess you think now that I've recorded this tidbit of information I can throw out the page it was written on, well not exactly, as it has other information about packing a bike for a plane ride that I want to keep. Who knows when I might need it.