The skies cleared just in time for more than 400 bike riders of all skill levels to roll through Orlando, Winter Park, Eatonville, Maitland and Casselberry during the fifth annual Bike 5 Cities.
Bike 5 Cities empowers Central Floridians to ride comfortably and confidently on city streets, bike routes and trails. It encourages people who might not normally ride this distance to get out and enjoy their communities from the seat of their bike.
“I cannot think of a better way to spend the day than at Bike 5 Cities here in Central Florida,” said Brenda Young the State Safety Engineer with presenting sponsor FDOT’s Alert Today Florida. “What a beautiful day to ride our bicycles and see all the wonderful places you can enjoy your ride here!”
Five-mile Family Ride
In addition to the 28-mile ride through five cities, this year’s event featured a five-mile family ride from Cady Way Pool Trailhead in Winter Park Park to Baldwin Park Lake, around and back. The youngest rider was four-years-old. It was her longest ride ever, but she had no problem with the distance.
The Purple Bike Lady Lyndy Moore shared some bicycling tips with the kids before they rolled out on the family ride and then greeted them with treat bags at the finish. “I loved seeing their faces as they finished, and we handed them their bags as a reward. Every one of them finished the ride with a smile,” said Moore.
BWCF captured many of the smiles that appear when you share a fabulous ride with friends and family. Click on the buttons below for links to our Bike 5 Cities Flickr photo albums, where you can download some of your favorite shots from the event.
Keep on Rollin’
If you missed the Bike 5 Cities ride this year, the route is still be marked for a couple of weeks with yellow ribbons and arrows. You can also download the map free from Ride with GPS here.
“The City of Casselberry and Seminole County have already permanently marked its section of the route,” said BWCF executive director Emily Hanna. “Our hope is that the other cities will follow their lead, so riders can have a well-marked route to ride all year long.”
And to motivate you, consider joining the November month-long LOVE TO RIDE CHALLENGE! You’ll get credit for your rides starting October 29 – November 30 and have a chance to win some prizes. Join us on the Bike/Walk Central Florida Group when you register and you should see other Bike 5 Cities riders. JOIN HERE.
What did you think?
Bike/Walk Central Florida and the Bike 5 Cities sponsors want to hear from you! Please take two minutes to take the Bike 5 Cities survey and let us know what you thought of the event.
Thank you Bike 5 Cities Sponsors!
The event wouldn’t be possible without the support of its many sponsors. A wheelie big thank you goes out to the following:
The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Alert Today Alive Tomorrow was the presenting sponsor this year as its annual Mobility Week began.
Gold level: Amerifirst Home Mortgage, Dr. Phillips Charities
Official Videographer and Photographer: Firefly Photo Booth
Silver level: Concord Rents and Lime
Bronze level: CAAM Events, CN Prestige Contracting, CPH, David’s World Cycle, Dix-Hite, Fishback Dominick, Florida Freewheelers, HDR, Inwood Consulting Engineers, Kittelson & Associates, Orlando Bike Coalition, Helmet Fitters R Us
Starter level: Fehr & Peers, Harvill’s Produce, Jim Dobson Law, KEITH, WTS Central Florida
