Osiyo!

The 2012 Remember the Removal Bike Ride is the fourth annual bicycle ride commemorating the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from its homelands during the winter of 1838-39. The 900+ mile trek is accomplished over a three week period as selected riders representing the Cherokee Nation retrace the northern route of the Trail of Tears through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation will sponsor a team of 10 riders from Oklahoma and will meet up the first weekend in June with a team representing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians near New Echota, Ga. From there, the combined group will take off on the journey of a lifetime, averaging 60 miles of riding per day. 

During evenings and along the way, the group will explore and experience activities that link the riders to the experiences their Cherokee ancestors had at the time of the removal. The ride is both an educational opportunity and a goodwill event. While on the trip, individual riders will use blogging and other social media, photos and videos to provide daily updates of their experiences on the ride. The ride will culminate with an exciting homecoming event on June 22, as the team arrives in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capitol of the Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Nation is accepting applications for the 2012 Remember the Removal Ride until Friday, March 2. To qualify, you must be a Cherokee Nation citizen, enrolled in high school or college in good academic standing and at least 15 years old. Space is limited to 10 riders and potential applicants will be asked to provide background and health information, parental consent if under 18 and a brief statement about why they would like to participate in the project. After an initial review, an advisory panel will interview each candidate to determine interest and commitment to the project. To meet the goal of the event, you need to be in good physical shape and make the commitment to bike daily for several weeks in various weather conditions.

Riders must provide their own clothes, bedding, toiletries and spending cash. Cherokee Nation will provide meals, bicycles, biking gear, GPS and lodging. If selected, you must be dedicated to training for the ride, both individually and as a group, and to completing the journey.