06/18/2025
Here's the latest info on the ride from the OFFICIAL ride board newsletter!!
This page cannot answer most questions, it is just for passing along info about the Waterloo end of the ride. Please go to the Board page if you have questions about the ride itself.
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Greetings Riders,
We are 3 months from the Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride… the largest organized motorcycle ride in the world. Every year thousands of riders come out to pay tribute and bring remembrance to this event where, in America’s history, a great injustice was done to a group of people based on who they were and what their possessions meant to those that wanted them removed. It is an event that we need to remember because it shows us how wrong people can be and how a government can be manipulated to do evil. America has always been challenged to be a ‘melting pot’. The ideals of Liberty and Justice for all are the only things that make it possible. We ride this event for many reasons… fellowship, love of the sport, and the desire to help people remember so that it can never happen again. By participating in the ride you help our nation remember its purpose and reason. You also remind everyone what happens when hate and greed drive society. This is something we sincerely need to remember. When we ride the Trail of Tears… we defend what is good.
The bottom line…. It’s a great opportunity to get together with old friends… ride… enjoy good food and good music…. And love the life we’re blessed with!
The ride is now completely planned…. We have our final destination in Chickasaw country (for those that make the journey west after the official ride.) The website is almost fully updated (Just waiting on the 2025 Ride Pins) and it’s time to start making plans to join us for this year’s ride. We really appreciate all that come out to support this effort and make sure that the Trail of Tears is remembered. We certainly want you to join us for the official ride on Saturday, September 20th. But if you’re able to join the organizers and hard-core supporters for the ride up to Cherokee, NC. On Thursday, September 18th for the roundtrip from Bridgeport to Cherokee and back on Friday, the 19th, that would be fantastic! AND, if you’re able to join us for the ‘Ride After The Ride’, on Sunday, September 21st, for the trip out to Chickasaw country…. Well, we’re not sure exactly how to say how much we’d appreciate you. It’s a lot. And the great thing about joining us for the whole ride…. You get to enjoy the real whole experience of the Trail of Tears Ride and enjoy all of our wonderful Southern Nonsense. There’s plenty…. Trust me.
The website is at:
www.al-tn-trailoftears.net
The Trail of Tears Ride merchandise store is open and you can obtain your TShirt for this years ride. As always, a new design and cool colors.
Find the TShirts at: https://www.al-tn-trailoftears.net/category/tshirts
We still have a few shirts left from last year but in limited sizes and colors.
We have: Mediums in Red, Large in Red, XL in Red and Black, and 2X in Red. There aren’t a lot so if you want one…. Get them while you can.
Every year, the organizers acquire discounted hotel rooms for those who travel to Bridgeport for the ride, and for those who make the entire ride from Cherokee to Oklahoma. The entire ride is planned and the route and all information for the entire ride is on the website. Much of the ride is escorted. Last year we had escorts through almost every town all the way from Cherokee, NC to Wewoka, OK, where we visited the Seminole.
This year’s ride promises to be a wonderful experience for all that participate. But, whether you’re making the entire ride, or you’re just coming to join us for the Official Saturday Ride from Bridgeport to Waterloo, if you need a hotel room, we have discounted rooms available. You can find the list of hotel rooms and instructions here:
https://www.al-tn-trailoftears.net/the-ride/rider-accommodations
This is my 8th time riding the Trail of Tears. My brother, a long time friend and supporter of the ride, passed away on the ride in 2017 and I’ve been making the trip from Texas to North Carolina to do this ride every year, in his honor. I also ride for my great-great grandmother who’s parents died on the Trail of Tears. I have both Cherokee and Choctaw blood. I started making this ride just to honor them. But now, I ride out from Texas every year with a group of my biker brothers and we make a beautiful journey up through east Texas, up the Natchez Trace, then through beautiful northern Alabama and up into the Smoky Mountains. Typically we ride the Cherohala Skyway and the Tail of the Dragon. We invite anyone who wants to join us on the route from Texas to North Carolina to do so. We have a blessed time and we love the adventure. If you’re inclined… meet us on the path. We call the ride ‘The Louis Hutton Memorial Ride’ in my brother’s honor. Feel free to contact me back through this email if you have any questions about the Louis Hutton Memorial Ride. Also check our website page on the LHMR.
https://www.al-tn-trailoftears.net/the-ride/louis-hutton-memorial-ride
See you on the Trail my friends!
Michael Hutton
Aka Captain America
Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride, Experience the Ride
