Cate Bariso, a 21-year-old New Port Richey resident, flashs the $500 cash she won for being crowned Miss BikeWeek in the inaugural event sponsored by Alternate Image and the Metric Revolution.
Though bikini-clad bodies abounded in Daytona for Bike Week 2007, only one girl can claim the official title of Miss Bike Week. Cate Bariso, 21, of New Port Richey, FL beat out 10 other contestants on March 10 at the Metric Experience to stake her claim as Miss BikeWeek.com 2007. Atop the long list of prizes she won is $500 cash from sponsor the Metric Revolution.
"Oh my lord, I'm ecstatic," Bariso said about her victory.
The enthusiastic crowd filled the bleachers and floor in front of the stage on the Wyotech College Campus for the first official Miss Bike Week competition. Miss Bike Week in prior years was more of an honorary title. To be crowned Miss Bike Week holds greater significance now that it has become a competition-based event with judges, prizes, and paid appearances for the winner as spokesmodel for BikeWeek.com in the upcoming year.
Bariso said judging for the competition included Internet and ballot voting. For the contest, she did a photo shoot, modeled in a sexy outfit for the crowd, answered a question similar to the way they do in the Miss America pageant, and competed in the touted bikini competition.
Cate Bariso (left), poses with Ist runner up Jessica Larmore and last year's chosen representative, Monica.
The backgrounds of the judging panel were varied. The panel included Speed Channel host Steve Truchout, stunt rider Josh Conway, Brenda Kennedy, General Manager of Bitchin Gear, Marko Galbreath of 7th Avenue Photography, and publisher Ned Wald of Travel Host Magazine. Les Davis, Director of Admissions at Wyotech College, was additionally on the panel. Seems like Spring Break came a week early for the admissions director.
Besides the $500 cash prize, Bariso scored a three-night, four-day stay at Best Western Aku Tiki, a $100 gift certificate for Opulence Medi Spa, stylish riding gear from Bitchin Gear, Bike Week 2007 memorabilia, an embroidered beach towel from Fat Towels, and two photo shoots, one with Rich Herrin of Alternate Image and one with Marko Galbreath of 7th Avenue Photography.
Jessica Larmore, 23, of Winter Park, FL, won $150 cash for her second place finish from sponsor Alternate Image, the managing company for BikeWeek.com. Sarah Sollitto, 24, of Ft. Myers, FL took home $75 cash also provided by Alternate Image.
Cate Bariso is not only beautiful but brave as well. Look at the effect she had on this poor guy.
It's easy to see why Bariso won. Blonde, bubbly, with a flirtatious smile and an athletic body, she possesses the stereotypical traits people associate with a Florida beach babe. She works at Hooters currently and has plans to attend cosmetology school. She also spoke about the desire to study business at a university.
Though she doesn't have her own bike currently, Bariso has been around motorcycles since she was young as a passenger on her father's bike. She's enjoys drag racing and expressed an interest in owning her own bike one day. Something tells me there would be no shortage of volunteers that would love to help her learn how to ride.
For a full photo montage of Bike Week, visit
BikeWeek.com's extensive gallery
