On Wednesday morning May 31, six Cherokee Nation cyclists left to kick off the 2023 Remember the Removal Bike Ride, which retraces the Trail of Tears throughout seven states.
The six riders will travel almost 950 miles throughout the month of June, averaging about 60 miles a day.
The riders left this morning to meet other riders in Georgia to begin their journey on June 5 in New Echota, which is the former Cherokee Nation capital.
This is the second year in a row that the Cherokee Nation has sent a team of only women participants.
"The Remember the Removal Ride is one of the most significant events in all of the Cherokee Nation," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "And it's an important event, the idea of remembering something that's special to Cherokees today. You better believe it's been special throughout our history."
One of the riders, Kenzie Snell, said she feels a myriad of emotions as they head out to Georgia.
"Yes, all of the emotions. A little sad, a little excited. Just, I'm ready to go we've been training for so long," she said.
You can follow the six participants on their journey through the Remember the Removal Bike Ride Facebook Page.