For the fifth consecutive year Chapter 111 has been represented at the annual Trail of Tears ride. The Trail of Tears ride is the largest organized ride in the US. There is no cost to participate. The ride is to commemorate the forced removal of native Americans from the southeast. There were several routes used for this event and they are collectively referred to as the The Trail of Tears. The ride approximates one of the routes used to remove the Cherokee Indians of North George, North Carolina and Tennessee from the area. The were herded like animals and forced to a reservation in Oklahoma. Soldiers arrived at every Cherokee household forcing them out. In total 17,000 Indians were rounded up. Their treatment was terrible at best and inhumane in most respects. Almost on quarter of them died before reaching the destination

Back in 1994 eight motorcycle riders left Ross Landing in Chattanooga and headed for Alabama to bring attention to the "Trail of Tears". Upon arrival in Alabama they number of riders had grown to 100. . 2008 was the 15th annual ride. The ride has grown from the eight bikes on the original ride to over 100,000 bikes participating at some point along the route.

This year we only had a few of 111's members participating. We rode to Chattanooga on Friday. The forecast called for a great riding weekend. The ride up Friday was great, even a little on the cool side as the sun set. We all met up at the hotel. Dinner was eaten and then we hit the beds knowing we had an early rise and long day on Saturday.

As we had done last year. with the ride leaving at 8:00 sharp we decided to get to the staging area around 7:00 am. So, at 6:30 Saturday morning we met, grabbed a quick cup of coffee and a donut and headed to the lineup area. And again, as last year, we should have gotten there a bit earlier. The turnout this year was very large and we ended up even further back than the year before.

At 8:00 am the first bikes started pulling out. At about 8:15 we the movement worked its way back to us and we were on our way. I would guess we were about mid line. This year the ride took a new route for the first time in 14 years. We rode around Lookout Mountain, along the Tennessee River and then up towards Monteagle, TN. From there we headed west across lower Tennessee. It was a gorgeous ride. The scenery was fantastic and the weather was partly sunny but very cool, especially in the higher altitudes.

It is a truly awesome ride. Bikes as far as you can see in front of you and behind you. State Patrol and local county and city police departments escort the ride. All intersections are blocked as the ride rolls through each town. People don't just stop to watch endless line of bikes, they set up chairs, and tents...they sit in the back of pickups, they line the overpasses and they crowd the intersections. It is reported that at points the line of bikes takes over an hour to pass by.

There is a mandatory stop halfway. This year that was in Fayetteville, TN. They had the local fairgrounds set up for us with local vendors offering all kinds of food and drink as well as souvenirs and t-shirts. We were at the fairgrounds for a couple hours, allowing everyone ample time to rest, refuel and eat. When it was time to roll back out the lead vehicles headed out with a very long line of bikes following.

Most of the second half of the ride was under cloudy skies. The air was cooler and there was a slight breeze. It was actually very nice riding weather. However about thirty minutes before reaching the destination of Florence, AL (same as last year) we ran into a light rain. It never rained hard, but it was enough to keep the road wet and most everyone ended up with wet pants from the knees down. We did stop after fighting it for about 15 minutes and put on some rain gear. The rain completely quit before we arrived in Florence. Happily it had not rained much in Florence and the ground was dry. Shortly after arriving the sun came out and we never saw another drop of rain.

The ride ends in a huge park on the river with vendors selling everything from food and drink to motorcycle items to Native American souvenirs. There were a lot of bikes there. Seems like more than last year. It's hard to judge the number of people because they are moving around, but there were motorcycles everywhere. Local Indian tribes provide history and dance and ceremonial exhibitions.

After spending some time in Florence we ride about 50 miles back to the east and stayed in Athens Alabama for the night. We had dinner at a restaurant nearby the hotel. The food was excellent. Everyone was hungry and tired. It gave us a chance to just slow down, discuss the days events and get some food. We then headed to our rooms for much needed rest.

Sunday morning we made it a lazy morning leaving out for home around 9:00 am. We rode US 72 across northern Alabama into Georgia going through Rome and Cartersville and across GA 20 before finally splitting up and heading for our own homes.

Again this year, this was a fantastic weekend. The event is something you just need to do. It is something that is very memorable. The weather was great for riding. Gas was not a problem. The ride was completely safely and enjoyed by all. It was just a great weekend. The only thing I hated was that we didn't have more people from 111 participating this year.

If you haven't done this ride yet, plan to go with us next year. It is one of the most memorable rides you will ever participate in. The actual Trail of Tears was one of the darkest moments in out history in the relationship of the United States and the American Indians. This ride demonstrates our support of the American Indians and our awareness of the horrors perpetrated on them during this part of history.

Representing Chapter 111:

Doug Turco
Gary & Maria Kohl
Darren Smith
Malon & Cindy Metz
Wes Metz (guest and brother of Malon)

 

Photos by Gary Kohl, Malon & Cindy Metz