Four young Cherokee cyclists were headed from Oklahoma to Georgia today, where they will begin a nearly 1,000 mile bike ride, in less than three weeks, to retrace the route of the Trail of Tears.

The Trail of Tears was the forced removal of some 16,000 Cherokees by the U.S. government in 1838 from their original homeland in Georgia.

The group made the harsh trek on foot over the course of two years to what is now Oklahoma.

20-year-old Kaylee Smith says she was drawn to the physical challenge first, but after learning more about the Trail of Tears, she says it’s an emotional and mental challenge too.

“I’m definitely working toward trying to be a better Cherokee Nation citizen and to be able to educate others on what happened during the Cherokee removal in 1838 and 1839.

It’s estimated around 4,000 Cherokees died during the journey from disease, exposure, and starvation.

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