Tune in to the video below and catch all the sweet details in our latest contest.  I’m really loving this one because it’s going to allow me to interact with my readers a whole lot more.  Check out the video, submit your entry, and you’re in to win……….. Huge thanks to the great people over at Sweet Leaf Tea for supplying us with such a fantastic prize.  You’re going to love this one.

1. Post your video to www.youtube.com or any other video site (or e-mail the video directly from your flip).

2. E-mail the link to darryl@lovingthebike.com, or provide the video link in the comments section below.

3. Check out www.sweetleaftea.com for more information on this sweet company.

4.  If you don’t own a video camera…or are just too shy to submit your video entry.  Feel free to comment below or e-mail me with your “Sweet” cycling story.

Contest closes February 4th, 2011 – But don’t procrastinate…..Enter Now.

Sweet Leaf Prize Pack includes: Cycling Jersey, 2 Cases of Sweet Leaf Tea and a whole whack of Sweet Leaf Promotional Items.

If you didn’t already know….I’m in Austin right now.  Yeah, Austin, Texas – The state capital that prides itself on being far from ordinary. In fact, they celebrate being “weird.” Austin is a hot spot for creativity and embraces its community of musicians, artists, entrepreneurs and progressive thinkers. It’s home to a singer named Willie, a cyclist named Lance and a Longhorn steer named Bevo. And it is also known for being the Live Music Capital of the World, a title taken pretty seriously with nearly 200 live music venues….and ACL coming up this week.

On top of all that, it is a spectacular place for cycling.  Great routes, infrastructure, and riders….this city oozes and drips with everything cycling, and I love it. I am so happy to be back in the ATX and so far Loving the Bike has been welcomed with incredible Southern hospitality.  This past weekend I experienced a trifecta of cycling goodness thanks to some very special Austin people.

Sweet Leaf Tea

First, I met up with April (aka @sweetleafApril) from Sweet Leaf Tea.  She showed me and my two oldest kids around their office, introduced us to some great Sweet Leaf folks, and let us take home a bottle of Sweet Leaf Tea.  Being from Canada, I’ve never tried their product before (they don’t currently sell into Canada)…but I can tell you that I am now a major fan of their Organic half & half tea.  It’s a must…..go on and get one.

10/2 Ride

Next in line was the Mellow Johnny’s 10/2 ride.  October 2 is officially the LiveSTRONG wear yellow day which is celebrated each year because it was the day Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer.  He’s the king at taking a number and making it famous…and this day serves as a great reminder of so many important things.  I’m not typically a group rider kind  of guy, but I really wanted to take part in this event.

The ride was fantastic, and although Lance didn’t make an appearance like he did last year…I spent the morning with some great Austin riders and celebrated 10/2 in style.

Loving the Bike Meet Up

The weekend was wrapped up with a fantastic event put together by Allison Peacock, Peacock Omnimedia, and Austin Cycling Meet Up.  It was a welcome party for me and my blog….and has definitely been the highlight of being here in Austin so far.  I got the chance to meet so many great people that I’ve tweeted, FB’d, and interacted with on the blog.

@cmj519, @Allison_Peacock, @DeeDee315, @bikenoob @twtx61

The world really has become an interesting place with the introduction of social media and online interaction….and from what I experienced this weekend, it is a far better planet because of it.