Bikers Ready for Key West Poker Run
September 6th, 2008
Key West, Florida Keys - Motorcyclists from throughout the United States are to travel one of America’s most scenic highways for charity starting Thursday, Sept. 18, during the 36th annual Key West Poker Run.
Riders on as many as 10,000 bikes are expected to traverse the Overseas Highway (U.S. Highway 1), which stretches 113 miles from mainland Florida to Key West and crosses 42 bridges — one of them nearly seven miles long. The Atlantic Ocean lies on one side of the highway, with Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, providing Poker Run participants breathtaking vistas of open sea and sky.
Peterson’s Harley-Davidson of Miami and the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club organize the annual ride, with proceeds split between the Diabetes Research Institute and Sunrise Rotary’s local charities and scholarships.
Biker registration for the event can be completed at Peterson’s Harley-Davidson Miami locations at 19400 N.W. 2nd Ave. and 19825 South Dixie Highway beginning Sept. 1. In addition, online registration is available at www.petersonskeywestpokerrun.com.
Upon registering and making a $10 donation, each participating biker receives a poker sheet. Additional “poker hands” can be purchased for $10 apiece, with no limit on the number of hands a person can play.
Drivers of cars and trucks also can purchase poker hands and participate in the run from Miami to Key West. In addition, those who can’t drive the entire course can purchase and play their poker hands in Key West at Conch Republic Seafood Co., 631 Greene St.
For those who can’t resist getting to Key West early, Key West Sunrise Rotary is hosting a bar stroll on the island city’s Upper Duval Street Thursday night, Sept. 18. The stroll is to culminate in a beach party at the Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval St. on the Atlantic Ocean, featuring food, drink specials, prizes and poker hands.
Starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Poker Run participants are to leave Miami and head down the Overseas Highway to Key West, stopping at designated points along the way to draw cards. The fifth and final stop is Conch Republic Seafood Co.
Entrants who draw the 10 best poker hands during their journey are eligible to play in a winner-take-all round of Texas Hold ‘Em, competing for a grand prize of a new Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 custom motorcycle. The action is to take place at Guy Harvey’s Island Grill, 511 Greene St., at 11 p.m. Saturday.
In addition to the grand prize, top poker players are to vie for cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000 as well as commemorative plaques.
A section of lower Duval Street, Key West’s main thoroughfare, is to be closed to car traffic from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. both Friday and Saturday, so bikers can park on the street to display their bikes. Live music from the Lower Duval Street bars, as well as food and libations, are to add to the event’s appeal.
Bike aficionados also can browse and buy merchandise including motorcycle accessories and apparel at the Poker Run Vendor Village on Greene Street just off Duval.
Saturday, Sept. 20, Big Bike Riders Association representatives are to judge the annual custom bike show, a “best of the bikes” extravaganza with proceeds earmarked for charity. The show is to take place in front of Rick’s/Durty Harry’s, 208 Duval St., and trophies are to be awarded in multiple classes. Registration is slated for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a $25 entry cost per bike.
Sloppy Joe’s, 201 Duval St., is to host its annual “Biker Bash” from noon until 11 p.m. Planned highlights include giveaways and contests — even a wacky “bikers on tricycles” challenge.
If the competitions get too “heated,” Poker Run attendees can cool down at a pool party at the Southernmost Hotel, 1319 Duval St. Set for noon to 4 p.m., the event is to feature music and giveaways.
In addition, the annual Paradise Tattoo Contest is planned for Saturday afternoon at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St., followed by a bikini show.
A Sunday morning blessing of the bikes is set for 9 a.m. at Mallory Square. At noon, the Poker Run Survivor’s Beach Party is scheduled at the Southernmost Beach Café. Attractions are to include a raffle drawing for a Harley-Davidson Sportster 883.
Organizers are planning a variety of other events to round out the Key West Poker Run revelry. For more information including a comprehensive schedule of events, visit www.petersonskeywestpokerrun.com.
For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539), or visit www.fla-keys.com.
