November 11th, 2022
Back in October, some Cane Creek employees attended the 2nd annual Outdoors For All Summit down in Old Fort, NC where they had the privilege and opportunity to meet Erick Cedeño. Many know Erick Cedeño as the @Bicycle_Nomad on Instagram where Erick shares his passion for cycling, travel and cultural immersion. After attending Erick’s presentation on his most recent 1,900-mile journey from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri retracing the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps’ 1897 expedition, we knew we had to have him back to the Cane Creek Headquarters to share his story with the rest of our employees.
Fast forward to this week – Erick made a quick pit stop in Asheville on his way home from New York to visit Cane Creek and other industry and outdoor manufacturers in Western North Carolina. Much of Erick’s work with cultural immersion is to highlight untold stories and experiences in history. Cane Creek acknowledges that we and the rest of our industry have a lot of work to do in telling and amplifying untold stories, Erick’s work brings Truth and Dignity to 20 black soldiers who traveled 1900 miles in 1897. What better time to share Erick’s work than on Veteran’s day?
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Erick to the best of his ability mimicked the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps’ expedition, day by day and mile by mile, despite many challenges and obstacles. Erick challenged us (in the audience) with a call to action: “We have the responsibility to not just enjoy the outdoors but to acknowledge those who Inspired us and came before us.” Erick told us his journey did not end when he set foot in St. Louis but continues until he can name and recognize every single member of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corp.
Among Cane Creek employees in attendance, representatives from Industry Nine, Kitsbow, Patagonia, Asheville on Bikes, Logan Watts with Bikepacking.com and other community members were inspired by Erick’s message:
“Dignity has to be given to those men, because it wasn’t given to them while they were alive.”
-Erick Cedeño
