WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH BIKERS & POKER?

So many motorcycle ride-events are titled “Poker Run” and even though I’ve done one myself, way back in the mid 80’s, I started thinking- what’s the relationship here? What the heck’s the big deal about bikers and Poker?

You never hear of biker events or fund raisers called the “Backgammon Run” or say the “Bingo Run” or “Scrabble Scoot” –-why Poker? Given the fact that with a Poker combined ride you can motor to check points and gather a Poker hand to be played at the completion of the run. But still curious, I decided to investigate and started by researching the game of Poker —especially since I’m not a player and know nothing about it.

Is there a relevant factor or two in the relationship between the motorcyclist psyche and that of a poker enthusiast? I came up with a few interesting findings, which when compared I concluded, yes indeed there are some synonymous factors.

Poker is defined as a [card] game where players gamble on the superior value of their card combination or the “hand”, in their possession. So here’s a link to motorcycling--the gamble, that's the risk required when riding and the reference of superior value I felt connected to how empowered and often superior the motorcycle machine can make a rider feel.

Further, the winner of the game is the one who holds the hand with the highest value according to the established "hand ranking" hierarchy. So this said to me, ok, the winner going round a race track is the one with the highest value in the competition (highest ranking/points) and who more often than not, holds the fastest lap time/record—based on the ranking hierarchy of motorsport competition and the track itself.

The winner of a poker match can also be the player who remains "in the hand" after all others have folded (the player making an un-called bet)—this I compare to the machine, the motorcycle itself where, being a mechanical sport, often there's machine failure, the winner is the one who’s still riding, the machines’ still going and crosses the finish line. This was especially true during early motorcycling & motorsport endurance racing events.

Poker also has many variations but follows a similar pattern of play—yes the motorcycle; two stroke, 4 stroke, 3 cylinder, many variations yet similar patterns of “play”, we still ride it. Even phrases I discovered incorporated into our everyday use, came from the game such as “ace in the hole”, “ace up one’s sleeve”, “when the chips are down” and lastly a true motorsport term—“wild card” (awarded in World Superbike/MotoGP to local race talent) cross over from poker and apply to motorcycling.

So, I see the relationship now which causes me to wonder further that perhaps the first generation riders/racers where poker players and maybe the game simply evolved naturally along side our horse back riding cowboys, to horse power driven ones.

With that, I propose we move forward and bring a new name to these motorcycle rally events--one that’s better suited to our current millennium and the bikes we ride.

“Bikers Blackberry Run” for . . .(your charity name goes here)

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Montreal Moto Show

Last week at this time, I departed for home from the 3 day Montréal Moto Show. What a delight to experience the moto culture of Canada’s French city from the very busy Ducati stand. Not much different from the Toronto shows—I did sense a greater attendance and appeared, to me, there were far more females—female riders. I did expect this as Montréal has a greater rider populace.

One of the major highlights for me was meeting my Ducati 1098S for the first time—to actually climb on board. Exciting! He has that Ducati fit and feel and now, most anxiously I want to ride! A few more weeks and I’ll have delivery.

The show shared three days of great atmosphere, super pleasant people who spoke English most willingly (I did do my best to speak French) --familiar industry faces and a Sushi restaurant in the congress centre for lunch each day!
Yet one thing that’s left me puzzled — during Saturday breakfast, I was reading the Montreal Gazette newspaper (English) I came across the advert for the very moto show I was working. Within this advert, within the ad itself, bottom right hand section, a notation, stating that there will be two blood donor clinics so please donate. How strange. In the midst of promoting motorcycling, the start of season 2007 —spring around the corner and here an ad, a plea for blood donors. I think you’re with me on this one—odd ja? How can we affect the image of motorcycling while we have Canada’s show leaders / organisations allowing such an association with the activity we are so passionate about? What’s next? Funeral service promotions? I understand the logic and admittedly, I’m a realist so I get it—but come on-- is this appropriate? Picture this, family breakfast “hey honey lets go to the motorcycle show---oh, but wait a minute, give blood? Hmm, let’s go to the movie matinee with the kids instead”. Motorcyclists accept higher risk factors that go with riding—we do pay attention when we hear of bike accidents--learn from others theory. Perhaps we are more sympathetic, hence quicker to part with our haemoglobin. Was that the intent of this association? Are they playing on our empathy—our camaraderie? I sit on the fence on this one. Nonetheless, the show hosted happy, energetic attendees awaiting the end of winter to roll out on to the streets and ride.