Last Wednesday I received notice that I had been selected to receive one of 50 Giant Bicycles to be given away here in Orlando as part of Bicycling's BikeTown USA 2005 program. I was so excited, and couldn't believe it, so I didn't really tell anyone about it. Blame the skeptic in me, never having really won anything in my life. I did, of course, do my research, and exchanged emails with several winners from past years in other cities across the U.S. I was beside myself with joy! Still, the only thing I shared about this you can find at Metroblogging Orlando.

So today was the day we would attend the ceremony that took place at 5:00PM in Baldwin Park. Sick as I still feel, nothing was going to stop me from being there today. ;o) So out we went, kids and I, played in the park and soaked up some sun. When the time came for the event to begin, I was surprised that I didn't see any news teams there. Maybe I should've given them the heads up? After all, there's a WFTV crew member who lives in my neighborhood. Not that I wanted to jump up and down in front of the TV camera or anything like that; I did get more than my share of pictures by one of the photographers there, I'm surprised all that glass didn't break. He was kind enough to amuse me asking if my camera was a FujiFilm FinePix, and that "those are pretty good". Yeah, sure, he can say that while he gets to carry those two wonderful Nikon cameras with all that pretty glass, shoot pictures, AND get paid for it. ;o) I'm hoping to get at least one of those pictues in my mailbox. I did shoot some pictures of the event, which you can see in the extended section of this entry. And of course, the one photo of yours truly along with my two treasures that were as jazzed as I was that I won a bike!

In all, it was truly wonderful to be there with so many different people sharing the plans and goals each of us has with our new bikes, and being part of such a great program as is BikeTown USA. Some of them will use them for commuting to work, others for mobility and similar daily activities, some of us to incorporate it with a more healthy lifestyle and lose weight. I even gave my new bike a spin in the park, which I will definitely be visiting again.

Ok, 'nough chit chat. Tomorrow, I ride! And now pictures, for your viewing pleasure!

At BikeTown ceremony. Kiki, BlogBoy and me.

Katie and Kiki with my new bike.

That would be Chris, the wonderful photographer. ;o)
Wish I had a better shot of him.

City of Orlando Representative

Giant Bicycles Representative

Katie Kirwan, Special Projects Manager, BikeTown,
who I'll be in contact with.

Fellow BikeTown winners