25th Infantry at Yellowstone in 1896

For those of you who are a little rusty on history, the Buffalo Soldiers, as they were called, where all black regiments enlisted to fight the Confederacy during the Civil War.

They helped pioneer bicycles as the original alternative to mainstream transportation - the horse.

These guys were champions.  The 25th infantry completed a ride from Fort Missoula all the way to Yellowstone National Park - a journey of over 500 miles.

Imagine that, mashing that primitive bike all that way, with few roads to ride on, most of which were no doubt dirt.  And to have all that gear to carry?  It would be brutal to imagine, to say the least.  Hats off to these guys, some of the original cross-country riders.

Further reading here.