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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