FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Two Ways to Roll in Bike 5 Cities
Q: What are my options for participating in this year’s Bike 5 Cities?
Guided, Small Group Ride: Grab four friends, family members or join four others on a guided tour through five host cities. An experienced ride leader will personally escort your group along the entire 28-mile route.
–No more than five people per small group, plus an experienced ride leader guide.
–To socially distance, staggered start times starting at 8 a.m., scheduled in 15 minute increments.
–Choose from five designated start locations: Winter Park, Eatonville, Maitland, Casselberry and Orlando when registering.
–The ride leader will help maintain a safe, spaced distance throughout the ride.
–$25 per rider ($10 under 18)
Self-guided Ride: All the benefits and support of the guided, small group ride, but without a ride leader. This option is for those who want to participate and prefer avoiding riding in any size group. It’s also good for riders who want a faster pace or just prefer start, stop, and rest time flexibility.
–To socially distance, staggered start times from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m.
–Choose from two start locations: Winter Park and Casselberry.
–Route marked with way-finding signs for the 28-miles.
–Route map accessible via Ride with GPS app or a cue sheet available at start location.
–$20 per rider ($10 under 18)
All Bike 5 Cities Riders Receive:
• Snacks and bottled water provided at each of the five city stops. Please bring a water bottle to hydrate between stops.
• You must indicate your start time and city when registering.
Q: What’s the “Guided, Small Group Ride”?
This year, Bike 5 Cities is a slow paced, social distancing ride. The guided, small group rides will be limited to no more than five riders plus an experienced Ride Leader who will serve as your guide and ensure riders maintain a safe, spaced distance. This year the group ride costs $25 per person.
Q: What are Ride Leaders?
Experienced cyclists who guide riders along the route for a worry-free ride, provide assistance and have fun along the way. The ride leader will help riders in the small group maintain a safe, spaced distance. Each small group will decide upon a comfortable, slow-roll pace that’s right for them. Laughing at their jokes is encouraged, but not required.
Q: Can I ride at my own pace?
Of course! The Bike 5 Cities 28-mile ride is estimated at a slower cruising speed (about 3 ½ hours to finish 28-miles with breaks), and groups will vary depending upon the riders.
If you want to ride even slower or a shorter distance, register for the self-guided option. It’s suited for those who don’t want to stick with any group.
Self-guided riders must be prepared to navigate the Bike 5 Cities 28-mile route using one of these options –a GPS device, the Ride with GPS App downloaded to your smartphone or a cue sheet map (which you can pick up at the ride start location) or be familiar enough to follow the Bike 5 Cities wayfinding signs that will be placed along the route the day prior.
Q: Can you tell me about the stops at each city?
Host cities include: Winter Park, Eatonville, Maitland, Casselberry and Orlando. Each city will serve as a rest stop with bottled water and refreshments such as wrapped fruit or packaged snacks. Riders will be required to maintain at least six-feet distance from other riders and wear masks at all stops.
Q: What specific COVID-19 guidelines do you have in place?
Bike/Walk Central Florida has prepared COVID-19 Bike 5 Cities guidelines that follow guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Florida Department of Health, Orange County and Seminole County ordinances and professional organizations such as USA Cycling who are setting standards for COVID-Safe bike rides.
Following are some specific guidelines for all riders:
Ride Registration
• To reduce contact, in-person or walk up registration will not be available.
• Contactless registration available here.
Check-In and Packet Pick Up
• Tables will be set up for outdoor check-in and packet pickup at start locations.
• Prepared event bags will be distributed.
• Hand sanitizer available.
• Masks REQUIRED at rider check-in and start of ride.
Start and Rest Stops
• 15-minute staggered start times from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m to enhance distancing throughout the ride event.
• Five ride start locations
• Single serve snack portions only
• Bottled water will be available
• Hand sanitizer will be available at all stops
Masks REQUIRED:
– at each city start location
– at the city rest stops
– at the request of the ride leader
– at all stops – such as traffic signals, stop signs, etc.
– at crowded locations along the trail or route such as Cady Way and Baldwin Park
– when not feasible to maintain a 20-ft distance between you and the rider in front or behind you
Extra masks available at all city locations. Please see CDC Considerations for Wearing a Mask.
Bike 5 Cities: Precautions
• All riders must carry a mask with them to wear per local ordinances. A limited number of replacement masks will be available at start and stops.
• Avoid drafting. Riders should keep a 20-foot distance from the rider in front and behind them.
• If you have to sneeze, cough, blow your nose, etc., you must drop back and ensure that no one is in your slip stream.
• No physical contact (passing of water bottles, food, handshakes, hugs, etc.) between riders while on the bike, in the parking lot, or at a rest stop
• Carry hand sanitizer and latex gloves. These items will also be available at the ride start and rest stops
• Clean your hands before eating, touching your face, etc.
• Stay home if you have had fever, chills, cough, upper respiratory infection symptoms, body aches, loss of smell or taste in the last 14 days.
• If you have had contact with any known or suspected COVID-19 individuals in the past 14 days, you may not ride Bike 5 Cities.
Q: What if I test positive for or have symptoms of COVID-19?
Stay home if you are positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to the virus or are experiencing any of the symptoms. Temperature checks may be conducted at check-in at the discretion of ride organizer. Please contact Emily@bikewalkcf.org with any questions. To see the CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus, COVID-19 symptoms.
Registration and Other Important Pre-ride Information
Q: Can I register on the day of the ride?
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we must keep the ride to pre-registration only.
Q: My family has more than five people. Can we ride together and if so, how can we register?
Contact Emily Hanna at emily@bikewalkcf.org to make special arrangements to register more than five people in your family.
Q: Does it cost to participate?
Yes. For only $25, you can ride with a small group of five or fewer with your own person ride leader guide. You’ll be stylin’ with this year’s Bike 5 Cities T-shirt plus snacks along the way at each city stop.
If you chose to ride on your own, the fee is just $20 per rider, which covers costs such as Bike 5 Cities T-shirt, snacks and bottled water at all city stops along the route, and more! The fee will help support the vital work of Bike/Walk Central Florida.
Q: Who can ride Bike 5 Cities? Can my child ride?
All ages and all bike abilities are welcome! Regarding your child, they must be accompanied by an adult and be able to complete the 28-mile ride. No tricycles please. Child seats, tag-alongs and trailers are allowed. The adult-child combo, in this instance, will be counted as a single rider.
Please note, no organized shorter group rides this year due to COVID-19 and the new ride structure.
Q: What if I want to ride with friends and family in my group?
The best way to ensure that your group gets the same time slot is to designate one person to register for everyone. At registration, you’ll have the option to add other riders. Make sure you have their first and last name, birthdate, and address.
Q: What if I need to change my start time after I register?
Email Emily at Emily@bikewalkcf.org with your request. Changing start times is subject to the number of people and availability during that time at that location. You can make requests to change your time and location up to one week before the event.
Q: Can I volunteer?
ABSOLUTELY! You’ll have a blast. Contact Emily Hanna at Emily@bikewalkcf.org.
Q: What will volunteers do?
Bike 5 Cities organizers need volunteers at all five cities providing ride packets and refreshments. Tasks might include handing out t-shirts, water or refreshments; helping with set-up or clean-up, showing people where to go.
Q: Where and when should I start my ride?
Bike 5 Cities will have check-in tables in at each of our five cities: Winter Park, Eatonville, Maitland, Casselberry, and Orlando. Select your start city and time when you register. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your start location and time.
Q: Should I bring my own water and snacks?
Water and refreshments will be provided at each city’s stop along the route, but we suggest you bring your water bottle to hydrate in between stops.
Q: What kind of bicycles are allowed on the Bike 5 Cities ride?
Any kind that can be ridden on paved surfaces. But no children’s tricycles please. Children bike trailers and seats are allowed. The adult-child combo, in this instance, will be counted as a single rider.
Q: Do I have to wear a helmet?
Helmets are mandatory. If you don’t have and can’t afford a helmet, please contact Bike Walk Central Florida Executive Director, Emily Hanna, at emily@bikewalkcf.org
Q: Can I bring my dog?
Sorry, no pets are allowed.
Q: How do I get my T-shirt?
You must register for the ride by Sept. 7 to guarantee the size you want. Pick up your shirt at the Bike 5 Cities check-in table the day of the event.
Q: What if I am late for my group start time?
Your Ride Leaders are instructed to leave on time to keep the route moving and to keep the appropriate social distancing. If you are late your group will likely leave without you. You may either join another group (if space is available) or ride on your own.
Q: What if I don’t want to ride the entire 28-mile loop?
No problem! It’s up to you how far you ride. Route maps will be provided. We suggest starting and ending at one of the five city’s pit stops, if you do choose to ride a shorter distance. For those choosing the guided ride, if you choose not to ride the entire 28 miles, please let your ride leader know that you will not be joining them on the rest of their journey. Transportation back to your vehicle is your responsibility.
Q: What happens if I am injured on the route? What if I get a flat tire or my bike malfunctions?
We aim for a safe ride for all. If you need immediate medical attention, please call 911.
Bike 5 Cities will provide rolling support and gear (SAG) for the entire route, and support stations at most city pit-stops. Mechanics will be available if you get a flat tire, or your bike experiences another minor mechanical issue. If you need help, someone will get to you, however you may have to wait, depending on how many other cyclists also need assistance. If you cannot finish the ride, you will be responsible for getting back to your car.
Q: What if it rains or severe weather threatens?
This is a rain or shine event. No refunds or transfers. The safety of our participants and volunteers is our most important concern and if any of threatening weather conditions are present the day of the event (tornado warning, tornado watch, thunderstorm, heavy rain or a hurricane decides to visit), the event may be delayed or canceled.
When weather conditions or other physical conditions present a danger to participants, such conditions fall under the label “acts of mother nature,” it will not result in refunding of any event entry fees or future event credits, since funds were already spent in preparation for your event day.
Q: Do I have to wear a mask?
Yes, wearing a face covering, such as a mask, is encouraged on the route and required at all stops, in parks and on crowded sections of the trail. According to the CDC, masks sharply reduce the droplets we exhale that could carry COVID-19 to others. Consider wearing either a cloth or surgical mask. Please see COVID-19 Guidelines for more details.
Leave No Trace:
Do your part to prevent littering, defacement and other forms of pollution. Please place empty food wrappers in your pocket until you are able to dispose of the waste properly. There are trash bags at each rest stop.
This is NOT a closed course ride – there will be vehicular traffic on the roads with you! Please be cautious and remember to stay in the right lane at all times. Traffic in the oncoming lane WILL NOT be stopped.
• HELMETS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES!
• Be alert and respectful to other riders.
• Be aware of vehicular traffic. Obey all traffic laws.
• Heed ride leader advise and warnings.
• No earphones, iPods, MP3 players, etc.
• Please be alert and exercise caution at all times on this ride. Ride smart and remember: Your safety is in your hands.
About your sponsors and ride organizer
Q: Who are the Bike 5 Cities sponsors?
A: Bike 5 Cities wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors who include:
Presenting Sponsor: Florida Department of Transportation’s Alert Today Alive Tomorrow
Bronze Level Sponsors: David’s World Cycle; Fishback Dominick – Attorneys and Counselors at Law; Inwood Consulting Engineers
Start-up Sponsors: CAAM Events; CN Prestige Contracting
Fuel-up Sponsors: Harvill’s Produce; Bobo’s Bars
For Safety Sake Sponsors: Real Street Performance
Official Videography and Photo booth Sponsor: Firefly Photo Booth
Q: Can my organization sponsor this ride or other Bike/Walk Central Florida programs? How much does it cost?
Yes, we need sponsors to continue this ride and advocate for walkable, bikeable communities. For more details on this and other opportunities, contact Emily Hanna at Emily@bikewalkcf.org .
Q: Who is Bike/Walk Central Florida?
Bike/Walk Central Florida is a non-profit advocacy group that promotes walkable and bikeable communities through raising public awareness and advocating for safe, active transportation, and recreation. For more information, check out our home page.