Poker Run Editorial courtesy of Elaine
Sunday 8th May and despite a slightly shaky start with a hint of drizzle, the sun soon decided to shine down upon this worthy cause, the annual Oxford Honda Owners Club Poker Run. Each year, Grandpa Ted German organises this well attended event to raise money for a local charity; this year, Motor Neuron Disease Research.
30 bikes, 40 people including the brave pilly passengers, congregated at Reg’s cafe in Banbury for the start of a 120-mile charity fun bike ride; with Ted as run leader, it was sure to an interesting day with a few diversions and possibly taking in a few allotments!
Riders from the Wiltshire, Bedfordshire, Northampton and Reading Branches………. and the BWDE club also joined the Oxford HOC adventures for a day of bike fun and to raise funds for a this very worthy cause.
After being dealt their first card by Grampy and his carer for the day, Mark, the bike convoy set off to Corinthian Arch for the second card and first pitstop, with Big Jim and Sue bringing up the rear and making sure no one got lost (except Pete who managed to miss the stationary bike parked on a roundabout and went straight on!).
After a brief stop and the second card dealt, the ‘fleet’ headed to stop number 2 at Biker’s World Daventry along a range of long and winding, short and twisty, and grass-verged narrow roads, where they were met by the ever energetic Erica and her delightful assistant, Gerald. Here the band of merry riders refuelled their souls looking at bikes and their refilled bellies with liquid beverages, before heading to Stratford Upon Avon for lunch stop and card 3. The club’s very own lame tame racing rider, Mr Moody, and Dilligaf pit crew dynamite Des had a few brief moments where they thought they were on a race track, sailing past the run leader as they glided into the beautiful picturesque Warwickshire riverside town, birth place of William Shakespeare, on schedule!
Despite the biker pack heading off in different directions for lunch, the munch bunch seemed to assemble in the sunshine by the baguette barge and ice cream boat! With the next card again dealt, the band of bikers headed to Stow on the Wold, for the final card, with only one Ted U-turn which of course was ‘planned’.
With Ted determined to keep to schedule (there is first for everything) he took the procession of bikes and riders of all different shapes and sizes (bikes of course) along the famous Oxfordshire Charlbury TT road on the final leg of the journey for tea and cake at The Jolly Boatman, where the poker hand winners were announced
Paul Dique was crowned king of the cards, winning a Samsung tablet kindly donated by Ted’s employers, Mutual Clothing & Supply Co.Ltd.
Winners also included Big Jim, Colin, Bob, Big Hammer Stevie Gilkes and soon to married Claire who won prizes kindly donated by Dilligaf Racing sponsors Venhill Engineering, Continental Tyres, Branson’s Honda of Yeovil and Oxford Products.
A great day was had by all, with great roads, and great company with over £260 raised to boot for the MND Research charity.
Ted almost kept to the planned route and everyone contributed keeping the day on schedule!
Mr Moody, the cake hamster, also proved that he could survive on two cup-cakes!
Many thanks Grandpa for organising the event.
Elaine