The streets of Coopertown were filled with more than just summer heat today as residents turned out to cheer on a group of determined people pedaling their way through history.
The riders of the Remember the Removal Bike Ride made their annual stop in town—marking at least the 20th visit to Coopertown since the ride began in 1984. The event, organized by the Cherokee Nation, commemorates the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their ancestral lands—what we now know as the Trail of Tears.
City staff and citizens alike say the stop is one of the most beloved traditions of the year.
“This is more than just a bike ride,” said one city official. “It’s a living, moving tribute to resilience, memory, and culture. We look forward to it every summer.”
A Ride Through History
The ride began this year on June 1st in New Echota, Georgia, the former capital of the Cherokee Nation. The cyclists will travel approximately 950 miles over 17 days, retracing the original northern route of removal. Their journey will end at the Peace Pavilion in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the modern-day capital of the Cherokee Nation.
The youngest rider this year is just 17 years old, while the oldest is 47. The group includes 12 members from the Cherokee Nation and 6 from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Many of the support staff and mentors are former riders themselves, bringing continuity, encouragement, and cultural insight to the new generation.
More Than Miles
The ride isn’t just about physical endurance—it’s a deeply immersive educational experience. Riders begin their journey with months of preparation, starting with an application process in August. Those selected spend the winter and spring in rigorous training—both physically and intellectually.
From December to June, participants gradually increase their endurance through long-distance rides, culminating in grueling 60 to 70 mile training sessions. But equally important is the language, history, and genealogy education they receive. A historian accompanied the team early in their journey, providing context as they stopped at key historic sites that shaped the Cherokee removal story.
Two riders who were injured during last year’s training returned this year to complete the full ride—adding a personal dimension of perseverance to an already powerful event.
A Town’s Tradition
With 41 rides completed over the years (a few postponed due to COVID), Coopertown has become something of a rite of passage for the riders and a welcome host along the trail.
Residents gathered with signs, snacks, and heartfelt greetings as the riders entered town, offering cheers of encouragement and gratitude for their mission. For a small town like Coopertown, it’s a moment to connect to a bigger story—one of suffering, survival, and cultural strength.
Adding to the warm welcome, Mayor Jeff Smith and Alderman Candace Rundle were on hand to greet the riders personally. Mayor Smith took a moment to speak to the group, offering words of thanks and encouragement, recognizing the power of their journey and the importance of remembering the past through action and unity.
“The history they’re honoring is not distant—it’s woven into the land under our feet,” said one local who’s attended the ride stop for many years. “It’s an honor to be a small part of their journey.”
As the cyclists push onward toward Oklahoma, Coopertown waves them on with pride—and waits eagerly to welcome the next generation of riders when they return again.
You can follow the journey on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/removal.ride
