Meet the 2025 Cherokee riders honoring ancestors on Trail of Tears route

Twelve Cherokee citizens are gearing up for a nearly 1,000-mile bicycle journey that traces the historic Trail of Tears, a route their ancestors were forced to walk nearly two centuries ago.

The “Remember the Removal” bike ride, which begins in Georgia and ends in Oklahoma, is more than a physical challenge — it’s a powerful act of remembrance and cultural reconnection.

Honoring a painful history

First launched in 1984, the “Remember the Removal” ride commemorates the forced relocation of the Cherokee people in 1838 and 1839.

Known as the Trail of Tears, the removal saw thousands of Cherokees pushed from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma.

Since 1983, the Cherokee Nation has used the memorial ride as both a youth leadership program and a living history experience.

This year’s ride will cover more than 950 miles over three weeks, passing through seven states and retracing the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears.

Meet the 2025 team

The 2025 riders were formally introduced during the April 14 Tribal Council meeting. Each team member stood before the council and introduced themselves in both Cherokee and English, sharing details about their families, communities and reasons for taking part in the journey.

This year’s team includes:

1. Baylee Gregg, 21, of Grove
2. Mackenzie Teehee, 23, of Stilwell
3. Aaron Anderson, 17, of Bentonville, Arkansas
4. Kalina Campos, 25, of Concord, California
5. Kacey Fishinghawk, 22, of Sand Springs
6. Adriauna Garcia, 19, of the Greasy Community
7. Kiyah Holmes, 25, of Tahlequah
8. Jenny Kliest, 24, of Stilwell
9. Baleigh James-Levy, 22, of Fort Gibson
10. Lexi Melton, 24, of Vinita

This year’s mentor riders are Stephanie Conduff, 41, of Broken Arrow, and Jeremy Hamilton, 47, of Proctor.

Training body and mind

To prepare, the cyclists have trained since December — logging miles on rural backroads and building strength in the gym. The journey is physically and mentally demanding, with riders averaging 60 miles per day once the ride begins in June.

“Training has been difficult, and I honestly didn’t expect it to be this hard,” said Gregg. “But every time it gets tough, I remind myself that the sacrifices I make now are nothing compared to what my ancestors went through.”

Teehee echoed that perspective. “Sometimes I’m exhausted going to work the next morning after riding for hours, all while being in school. But when compared to our ancestors, this is nothing. It’s a reminder that has pushed me through all the stressful days.”

A personal connection to culture

For many riders, the experience is about reconnecting with Cherokee identity and honoring generations past.

Gregg, who attends college away from her tribal community, said the ride has helped her reclaim part of herself. “This journey is my way of honoring the stories and strengths that have shaped my family for generations,” she said.

One place she’s most looking forward to visiting is Blythe Ferry in Tennessee, where many Cherokees began the forced removal. “It will be an emotional and powerful moment,” she said.

Teehee, too, said the opportunity to ride is deeply meaningful. “I have both mentally and physically grown from learning about the resilience, strength and courage our ancestors passed down,” she said. “The tough days become easier once I remember why we are here.”

Riding for remembrance

While bikes, gear and technology have changed since the first “Remember the Removal” ride in 1984, the purpose remains the same: to honor Cherokee ancestors and educate future generations.

As the 2025 team prepares to embark on this transformative ride, they carry more than gear — they carry history, memory and the enduring strength of the Cherokee people.