Historic ‘Iron Riders’ Military Bicycle Unit to Join Rose Parade

Left: Buffalo Soldier re-enactors Bobby McDonald, Ron Jones and C.F. Brown pay homage to a small group of soldiers from the 25th infantry regiment known as the Iron Riders. [The American Legion] Right: To avoid thick mud and soft sand, the soldiers also walked their bikes along railroad tracks in actual 1897 event. [National Archives]

The New Buffalo Soldiers are participating at this year’s Rose Parade in Pasadena. Riding bicycles, Buffalo Soldiers reenactors, in full uniform, will lead the horseback entry at the upcoming parade.

The group, organized in 1992 as a historical interpretation group, represents the 10th Regiment, Company H of the United States (U.S.) Cavalry.

Riding donated Spalding bicycles, the Buffalo Soldiers left Fort Missoula, Montana on June 14, 1897, embarking on a 1,900-mile odyssey to St. Louis, Missouri.

During their 41-day journey, the Black infantrymen had averaged nearly 56 miles per day over the most primitive roads imaginable.

They pedaled up mountains, through forests, over deserts and snow, and across rivers.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldier Bicycle Corps’ epic 1,900-mile bicycle ride.

According to the Tournament of Roses’ website, the group’s goal is to portray accurate historical recreation of the history and the lives of the Buffalo Soldiers, officially known as the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps – who participated in the U.S. Army during the post-Civil War period.

Joining the group in the equestrian category are 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment (Fort Hood, Texas), Alameda County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse (Livermore, California), Blue Shadows Mounted Drill Team (Lake View Terrace, California), Budweiser Clydesdales (St. Louis, Missouri), CA State Guard 26th Mounted Operations Detachment (Long Beach, California), International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (Birmingham, Alabama), Los Hermanos Banuelos (Altadena, California) and Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers (Citrus Heights, California).

Ramona, California’s Official State Outdoor Play Presented by the Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre (Hemet, California), Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Unit (Nuevo, California), Scripps Miramar Ranch (San Diego, California), Spirit of the West Riders (Arcadia, California), The New Buffalo Soldiers (Shadow Hills, California), The Valley Hunt Club (Pasadena, California), The Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team (Norco, California) and United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard (Barstow, California) will also be marching at the 2023 Rose Parade.