Bicycling enthusiasts and many beginners to the sport rolled out of Mead Botanical Garden Saturday morning for Bike/Walk Central Florida’s second annual Bike 5 Cities ride, presented by FDOT’s Alert Today Alive Tomorrow. The ride was envisioned to show people where they can comfortably ride through the heart of five connected urban cities.
Despite expanding to welcome more riders than last year, the 28-mile guided ride through Orlando, Winter Park, Casselberry, Maitland and Eatonville filled to capacity a week before the event – more than 400 riders registered for Bike 5 Cities and the individual Bike 1 City rides. Sponsors, volunteers and staff from each of the five cities made the rides and activities even bigger and better this year.
“Just like last year, you all did an amazing job putting this event together,” wrote Milissa Burger who rode Bike 5 Cities for a second year. “My husband and I do a lot of cycling events and this one surpasses all of them.”
#Bike5Cities is off to a great start with @scottlagasse and @HattawayBilly looking picture perfect! @AlertTodayFL pic.twitter.com/BQDvR1VW5g
— Bike/Walk CFL (@BikeWalkCFL) May 5, 2018
Bike/Walk Central Florida (BWCF), including its board, staff and volunteers, were grateful to have support from sponsors to make Bike 5 Cities a success again this year. Alert Today Alive Tomorrow was the presenting sponsor and brought along a celebrity guest rider, NASCAR racer and bicycling safety advocate Scott Lagasse, to join the ride. They also supplied helmets to riders in need and volunteers to help staff the event.
Fuel-up sponsors VHB and Harvill’s Produce, Inc. provided water and refreshments at each city stop. VHB staff gave encouraging words and smiles to riders at the Orlando and Casselberry stops. CAAM Events – Florida provided technical advice, t-shirt ordering and the registration site.
Fueling up for the ride with @VHBSoutheast @HattawayBilly #Bike5Cities pic.twitter.com/v29r0C3daL
— Bike/Walk CFL (@BikeWalkCFL) May 5, 2018
Popular at the end of the ride, Ocean Sun Brewing offered free “Cycle Therapy” beer to thirsty riders, toasting a job well done. They also provided free coupons for riders to stop by the brewery and try out what’s on tap.
Beer and pizza after a 28-mike ride, what could be better! Thanks @OceanSunBrewing for the well-deserved drinks! pic.twitter.com/ZEkk3LQNKb
— Bike/Walk CFL (@BikeWalkCFL) May 5, 2018
Many riders expressed their appreciation of Bike 5 Cities and its sponsors as well. “This year was even more fun than last year and I’m already looking forward to next year’s ride,” wrote Todd Cecil, who rode the event with a tall Uncle Sam hat atop his helmet. It was “a 28-mile bike party/showcase of bike trails, bike-friendly streets and cities with free food, water, Kona ice, Planet Smoothies and pizza waiting at the end.”
Scroll through all of our great photos on Flickr.
