Bicycle Nomad, that handsome cyclist from the California Golde project and beyond, has teamed up with Blackburn to become a brand ambassador. As someone who has played a small role in Blackburn’s bicycle touring lineup, this makes me excited. Erick Cedeño (Bicycle Nomad) is a beautiful human and I’m personally looking forward to seeing where this goes. I think Erick’s quote sums up the importance of this partnership:
“The cycling industry needs to have more representation in its marketing, so adults and, more importantly, children, can see themselves on a bike exploring their city, their country and their world,”
If you’re interested, the full press-release is below…
Blackburn Design and Bicycle Nomad are excited to formally announce a partnership with the founder of Bicycle Nomad, Erick Cedeño, becoming a Blackburn Brand Ambassador.
The discussion of the partnership was born out of an Instagram comment wherein Cedeño encouraged the 45-year-old cycling accessory brand to be more inclusive in its messaging and marketing materials. The comment began a month’s conversation between Cedeño and Blackburn Marketing Manager, Dan Powell.
“I knew enough to ask for help,” Powell said. “I reached out to Erick and put it out there that we wanted to make a commitment towards being more inclusive. Erick was kind enough to, number one, make time for me and number two, approach our willingness to change in a supportive way. He helped foster the spark.”
Founded in 2014 after a tour on the Adventure Cycling Association’s (ACA) Underground Railroad Route, Bicycle Nomad began as a way for Erick Cedeño to connect with people as he rode. “My mission has always been to inspire and motivate people to explore and travel by bicycle, especially people of color,” added Cedeño about the partnership. “The bicycle has changed my life. As a child riding was the first time I discovered freedom. It has connected me with communities and people from all over the world. I believe better representation will allow more people to visualize what’s possible and how far the bicycle can take them.”
Bicycle Nomad will be supplementing Blackburn’s social posts with inspiring content. He’ll also bring Blackburn followers along with him on trips that he has planned, starting with the return to the ACA’s Underground Railroad Route in October and on a ride around Puerto Rico in December. Lastly, Bicycle Nomad will be representing Blackburn at events like the Youth Bike Summit and helping the brand to identify and support grassroots organizations in historically underserved cycling communities.
“The cycling industry needs to have more representation in its marketing, so adults and, more importantly, children, can see themselves on a bike exploring their city, their country and their world,”
Cedeño adds. “I have a passion to work with kids to bring the next generation of Bicycle Nomads. For children of underserved communities to have the opportunity to expand their horizon and to start dreaming of bicycle adventures.”
