Today was the Annual Fair Hill, NRMA Poker Run held by the
Delaware Trail Spinners. All the money raised goes towards
trail maintenance in this huge trail area. It's $10 and
well worth it. For those who don't know what this is, it is
not a race. You ride to five different checkpoints ans
collect playing cards. Each checkpoint gives you the option
of taking the long route or short route. Either way, you
get five cards. At the end, those with the best poker hand
get prizes.
JAR had a fairly large group but we quickly went on our
seperate paces. The trail is marked with flags for this
event, so you can't get lost. If I went all short it was
only five miles, so I opted for all long which was 17 miles.
This was also the same trail layout that the Fair Hill
Classic race will be held on and I wanted to see if I could
handle it.
This ride kicked my ass! It was uphill for the most part and
since it was still moist from the week's rain, the off-
camber roots and log overs were taking their toll. I was
pretty cut up from the thorns as well, but it was fun. We
hit all the famous trails (Crack Head Bob, Kenny's Revenge,
and Viet Nam). Crack Head Bob was living up to his name as I
nearly lost my helmet on several occassions. The mud was
also fun and for the first time ever in clips I actually had
to get a stick to dig it all out of the pedals and my shoes.
Did I mention it smelled real bad, too? When all was said
and done, I was only about 5 minutes off the main pack. I
think I can handle the Vet II category.
I ended up with three Queens, a King, and a Jack. It was a
decent hand but not the best. I won a nice Titec Ithys
saddle which will be promptly listed on eBay. After the
race, one of the club guys made Fajitas for everyone, and I
brought a cooler full of Guinness and Flying Fish Ale for
them to wash it down (I don't drink anymore).
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o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
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