The Cherokee Nation has announced the participants for the 2024 Remember the Removal Bike Ride. This event, marking its 40th anniversary, retraces the northern route of the Trail of Tears over approximately 950 miles. Twelve cyclists will travel through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma over nearly three weeks.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation highlighted the physical and emotional challenges of the ride. He noted that the event honors the ancestors who were forcibly removed from their homelands over 180 years ago and helps keep Cherokee history alive.
The selected cyclists underwent a selection process that included essays, interviews, and physical assessments. Since December, they have been preparing through physical training and cycling across varied terrains within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. This preparation helps them connect with their heritage and the experiences of their ancestors.
Participant Jaxen Smith, a 21-year-old from Tahlequah, expressed his personal reasons for joining the ride, aiming to connect with his Cherokee heritage and honor the resilience of his ancestors. The cyclists have also had their family trees documented by a professional genealogist, deepening their personal connections to their history.
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