Students Bike Trail of Tears

A group of 8 Cherokee students pedaled into their first stop on the trail of tears in the pouring rain.

After a day of biking, they park at the Heritage site in Red Clay. One rider, Baron O'Field, tells us why he's taking 1000 mile ride into the past.

"My mother and my father were the last generation that didn't speak Cherokee. Not a lot of history was taught beyond my mother and father so for my personal self I would like to find out more about the Cherokee people," says Baron O'Field.

The trip started yesterday in Rome, Georgia and will end in Oklahoma. In just the first day, they've faced their share of challenges: equipment failure and extreme temperatures.

"One of our riders got heat exhaustion and had a pretty bad accident in the first hour so we got to experience a little bit of everything today," says Cherokee Nation Group Leader, Todd Enlow.

Tennessee's code orange conditions aren't stopping them from going the distance.

Tracked by GPS, the group plans to ride 40-70 miles a day. After camping at Red Clay, they'll pass through Tennessee hitting heritage sites in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.

"It's a great story its one of during the removal being able to adapt survive, excel and prosper," says Enlow.

And the students will be telling their own story.

For the next 19 days, they'll be blogging and using podcasts to share their ups and downs.

"I'm hoping its going to be easier but i'll just take it as it comes. If it gets that bad again we'll just get through it. Our ancestors didnt have a choice," says O'Field.

Today the students are still making their way through the Volunteer State. Tonight they'll stay at Removal Memorial Park in Blackferry near Dayton.

To track the group's progress head to www.remembertheremoval.com.