For generations, we have honored our ancestors and steps they have taken along the Trail of Tears to get us here. The pain, laughter and will power of Cherokee youth on the original 1984 Remember the Removal Bike ride was photographed and documented by photographer and media coordinator Tom Fields.

While the style of our shades down to our shoes have changed, and our bikes, technology, and entourage are more sophisticated 37 years later, we still navigate and travel the original Trail each day of the ride, stand in awe of the historic places and markers along the designated highways, test our endurance and emotions, and bond over 950 miles of self-discovery that make us resilient still today. Then, and now 180 years after the forced removal of our ancestors from the Southeast to Indian Territory #WeRemember who we are and where we came from.

2026 RTR applications available on the Gadugi Portal.