Pedaling Through History: The Truth Behind the Remember the Removal Bike Ride

Most bike rides are about the destination, the scenery, or perhaps a personal best time. But for a select group of Cherokee citizens each June, a 950-mile trek across seven states isn’t about fitness or leisure. It is a grueling, emotional, and sovereign act of reclamation. The Remember the Removal (RTR) Bike Ride is a transformative journey that follows the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears, tracing the path their ancestors were forced to walk at gunpoint nearly two centuries ago.

‘This is not a vacation. It is a reckoning with history, a test of physical limits, and a profound connection to the ancestors who survived so that we could exist today.’

At Osiyo.net, we believe in telling the raw, unvarnished truth about Indigenous history. Before we dive into the gears and grit of the ride, it is vital to note: Osiyo.net is an independently operated information platform. We are not an official tribal government site. For official government services, you should always consult the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes directly.

Key Takeaways: The RTR Experience

• The Distance: Approximately 950 miles over three weeks.
• The Path: The Northern Route of the Trail of Tears, starting in Georgia and ending in Oklahoma.
• The Participants: Young adults and mentors from the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
• The Purpose: To honor the 16,000+ Cherokee people removed from their homelands and the roughly 4,000 who died along the way.
• The Sovereignty: A demonstration of modern tribal resilience and the enduring connection between the separated Cherokee bands.

The Grim Reality: Why We Remember

To understand the ride, you have to understand the crime. The forced removal of the Cherokee people was not a voluntary migration; it was a state-sponsored ethnic cleansing authorized by the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Despite winning the legal battle in the Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia, the Cherokee people were betrayed by President Andrew Jackson, who famously refused to enforce the court’s decision.

By 1838, federal troops and state militias began rounding up Cherokee families, forcing them into disease-ridden stockades before marching them West. They were stripped of their homes, their businesses, and their land in the Southeast. The Northern Route, which the cyclists follow, was particularly brutal, involving treacherous river crossings and a bitter winter that claimed thousands of lives.

The Distinction of the Three Tribes

When discussing Cherokee history, it is essential to recognize the three distinct, federally recognized sovereign nations. While they share a common history prior to removal, their paths diverged during that era:

• Cherokee Nation (CN): Based in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The largest tribe, comprised of descendants of those who survived the Trail of Tears.
• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI): Based in Cherokee, North Carolina. Descendants of those who remained in the original homelands through various means, including the Lufty Town Cherokees.
• United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB): Also based in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Descendants of the ‘Old Settlers’ who moved West before the forced removal to maintain traditional ways.

The Remember the Removal Bike Ride is a joint effort between the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, symbolizing the reunion of the people who were once physically separated by the removal policy. You can learn more about the unique status of these nations on our Tribes page.

The Route: 950 Miles of Sovereignty

The ride begins in New Echota, Georgia—the former capital of the Cherokee Nation. From there, riders pedal through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas, finally crossing into Oklahoma. This isn’t just a path on a map; it is a cemetery without headstones.

Significant Stops Along the Trail

1. New Echota, GA: Where the illegal Treaty of New Echota was signed, providing the ‘legal’ pretext for removal.
2. Blythe Ferry, TN: A major crossing point where thousands of Cherokee waited in the cold to cross the Tennessee River.
3. Mantle Rock, KY: A limestone arch where hundreds sought shelter from a record-breaking winter while waiting for the Ohio River to thaw.
4. Cape Girardeau, MO: A site of significant hardship during the crossing of the Mississippi River.
5. Tahlequah, OK: The capital of the Cherokee Nation and the final destination of the ride.

Comparison: Then vs. Now

The Making of a Rider: Physical and Mental Grit

You don’t just wake up and decide to ride 950 miles. The selection process for the Remember the Removal Bike Ride is rigorous. Applicants must be Cherokee citizens, often between the ages of 16 and 24 (though mentors are older), and must undergo months of intensive training. This isn’t just about leg strength; it’s about historical immersion.

Before they ever clip into their pedals, riders spend months learning the history of the removal. They study the Final Rolls and genealogy to identify their own ancestors who walked the trail. When they are climbing steep hills in the Ozarks or battling headwinds in Illinois, they aren’t just thinking about their burning lungs; they are thinking about their great-great-grandparents who did the same with no shoes and little food. For many, this connects deeply to their sense of Cherokee citizenship.

Edgy Truths: Debunking Trail of Tears Myths

History books often gloss over the ‘unpleasantness’ of the Trail of Tears. Let’s set the record straight:

• It wasn’t just one trail. There were multiple water and land routes. The RTR ride follows the Northern land route because it was the most heavily traveled and experienced the highest mortality.
• It wasn’t just the Cherokee. While the RTR ride focuses on Cherokee history, the Five Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole) all suffered forced removals.
• It wasn’t inevitable. The Cherokee were highly ‘civilized’ by Western standards of the time—they had a written constitution, a bilingual newspaper, and a higher literacy rate than their white neighbors. Removal was a land grab, plain and simple.

For more stories on how the Cherokee people adapted and thrived after this devastation, visit our Stories section.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in the Remember the Removal Bike Ride?

Participants are selected through a competitive application process and must be citizens of either the Cherokee Nation or the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The program typically targets young adults to foster leadership and cultural awareness. For information on tribal status, see our guide on the Indian Card.

Can I follow the ride in person?

While the public is encouraged to support the riders at designated stops and the final arrival in Tahlequah, the ride itself is a focused, supported journey for the participants. You can follow their progress via the official social media channels of the Cherokee Nation and EBCI.

How long has the ride been happening?

The inaugural ride took place in 1984 to mark the 145th anniversary of the removal. It was revived in 2005 and has since become an annual tradition, with the exception of cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the total mileage?

The route covers approximately 950 miles, though the exact mileage can vary slightly year-to-year based on road conditions and safety adjustments.

Next Steps: Honor the Journey

Interested in learning more about the Trail of Tears or the resilience of the Cherokee people? Here is how you can engage:

• Support the Riders: Follow the annual ride updates on the official Cherokee Nation website.
• Visit the Sites: Tour the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail managed by the National Park Service.
• Research Your History: If you believe you have Cherokee ancestry, start your research on our Getting Started page.
• Educate Others: Share the stories of the RTR riders to ensure the world never forgets the history of the Trail of Tears.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Osiyo.net is an independently operated information platform. Always verify enrollment information directly with the specific Tribal Nation.