<<Back

Sunday, June 11, 2006-I was not sure if I was going to go to this event. I was a little scared, a little apprehensive. It would involve meeting new people and demonstrating my motorcycle skills. Both of which I felt that I could improve upon. But it was for a good cause, so I did it.

The event was the 2nd Annual Poker Bike Run to Benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which was held on Sunday, June 11, 2006 between 9AM and 1:30PM. The signup and starting place was the Hooters Restaurant in Manassas, VA. I was one of the first people there to register a little after 8AM.

The people organizing the event were very nice and guided us through the registration process. Others started showing up as well. I walked around, introduced myself to people and looked at the wide assortment of motorcycles that people were riding. Riders of all ages were there. Young, old, single riders, couples, groups of riders. All were represented.

As far as types of bikes, Harley Davidson was by far the most popular bike. Honda was next. There were a few Suzukis, a few Yamahas and a few Kawasakis. There was even a Korean bike called a Hyosung. The Hondas were divided into 3 groups. There were some Gold Wings, some sport bikes and others like mine. I counted 2 other Shadows there. Both were 750's. I saw some very nice looking bikes as well as alot of accessories that I will have to add to my 'must have' list.

The way a Poker Run works is that you travel to various places along the run, draw cards and the type of card gets written down on a sheet of paper that you carry with you. At the end of the run, you can buy more cards and the person with the best hand at the end splits the pot. The other half goes to the charity.

Anyway, it was approaching 9:30 and no one was leaving. I guess no one wanted to lead. The first stop was the Sheetz gas station in Haymarket, VA. The route they had us take to get there was Rixlew LA to Wellington RD to VA28 south to Fitzwater DR in Nokesville, VA to Burwell DR to Vint Hill RD to US29/15 north to the US15 turnoff north to the Sheetz gas station.

A group of Gold Wing riders left first. So I decided to leisurely head out myself. Would you believe 5 other bikes fell in behind me. Here I am, a novice, leading a group of bikes through Prince William and Faquier Counties. I did OK, not exceeding the speed limit by more than 5-7 miles and getting everyone safely to the Sheetz gas station in Haymarket, VA and got my second card.

I got a bottled water, made a pit stop and talked to some of the other bikers again. I was determined not to lead again. When a group of bikers left for the next stop, Front Royal, VA, I fell in at the end. We rode VA55 all the way out to Front Royal. It was a beautiful day to ride. Sunny and the temps were just right. I got to practice my formation riding some more. We got to Front Royal around 12ish and gathered at an ice cream place on South ST called Splunkers. I got my 3rd card and had a small custard with caramel sauce. Very good!

We again kabitzed out in the parking lot for awhile. The Gold Wing Riders were again the first to leave. I again thought that I would follow them. So I pulled out about 50 feet behind them but got caught at a light. I was worried because I wanted to catch up with the Gold Wings so that I would not have to consult the directions to get to Warrenton, VA. So I turned onto US522 and maintained my speed within the Front Royal town limits. Once I got out of town, I let her rip and was flying down US522. I passed the AT and saw alot of cars parked where it crosses between the Zoological Park and Lake Front Royal. It was then that I caught the Gold Wings. They were hauling! But I managed to stick with them through Flint Hill, Hume, Orlean and finally Warrenton, VA. Our next stop was Black Wolf Coffee next to Fosters Grille in Warrenton, VA.

I got some gas in Warrenton, then got a parking spot, which I shared with another bike. I got a small caramel coffee, drew my 4th poker card and again shot the breeze with the other bikers. You could tell that people were getting more friendly as the day went on.

For the final leg, we drove through Warrenton and turned onto Cassanova RD, then VA28, then Wellington RD, then Rixlew LA and back to Hooters. I did it! Total distance was about 114 miles. I went into Hooters to get my final poker card. My hand was not very good. I talked for awhile, order some shrimps to take home to Nance, then went to hit the road. The Hooters girls were very nice to talk to ;) I had a tough time fitting the shrimps into my bag on my bike but managed to get them stuffed into it. I was home around 3PM.

This was a fun and learning experience. I learned more about my bike, sharpened my riding skills, met some great people, saw some fantastic scenery, had perfect weather and, most of all, helped a good cause, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Mike C