MDA Poker Run

Last Sunday we rode in the MDA Poker Run.  This was the 24th year that our chapter has hosted this event for MDA.  It used to coincide with the telethon, but since they stopped airing that we just ride. 

We met our friends for breakfast at the Muzzleloader, sign up for the poker run was at the Powder Horn bar which is right next door.  We only played one poker had, it can get rather pricey at $20 per hand. 

This year the route took us to Huntley, Worden, Custer, Hardin and then back to Billings at Montana Chad's.  We made it to the first poker stop in Huntley, that is where our friend Marty's bike broke down.  It just wouldn't start.  On nice thing about being a biker is that he had plenty of help.  No go.  Fortunately the Harley shop was open but only until 3:00pm. 

Gary and Dale Butterfield flipped a coin to see who would run and get their pickup and trailer.  Huntley is about the half way for each, Dale won.  We stayed with Marty & Vickie at the bar.   It was fortunate that they broke down here instead of on the side of a highway somewhere.  We only had to wait for about 2 hours for Dale to get back.

Wouldn't you know it, once Dale came with his truck and trailer, Marty's bike started.  But who knew for how long.  Marty & Vickie are going with us on the Yellowstone Ride with an overnight in Chico this weekend.  The Harley shop was able to get him fixed up before the Yellowstone trip.

We arrived at the dealership and his bike still started, naturally we are at the Harley shop.  By this time we just made our way to Montana Chad's, we were all able to finish playing our poker hands.  Ate a good lunch  and just enjoyed our time visiting.

No one in our group won the poker hands, but Dale did win a hat in a drawing.  We had a good time, Marty & Vickie felt bad about ruining everyone's ride.  No problem, better to have this problem now instead of this weekend while we are in the Park.

Turned out that the staters in Marty's bike went out.  All I know about this is that they are part of the charging system on the bike, sort of like an alternator for a car.  Marty does have his bike, the Harley shop had it finished on Tuesday.

I felt that we had a low turn out for this ride this year.  A vote was taken of the group this year and it was decided to keep the ride on Sunday instead of changing it to Monday.  It was reminded that not everyone has the holiday off, some people have to work on Monday.