Kind & Polite

Ramey Poker Run - Central Pennsylvania
Poker runs are events which benefit non-profit organizations such as volunteer fire companies. This amounts to a marked course through ATV country with periodic checkpoints where paid participants can draw chips from a bag in hopes of winning prizes.

There are several popular runs right here in central Pennsylvania but I didn’t have the opportunity or the time to go on one till earlier this year. In April I participated in a poker run that benefited the Ramey Volunteer Fire Company. Properly speaking the course isn’t held in Ramey. It’s actually held a few miles down the road in Ginter, PA. That’s OK for me as it’s closer home. In fact Ginter is only about 14 miles from my home. The run in April was my first poker run and it marked the first time I rode in this area.

The course includes old coal haul roads, logging roads, skidder trails and ATV trails and traverses a variety of terrain. There’s a lot of water bodies to cross but the worst ones can be avoided. Some of these water bodies are deceptive - that is they are worse or easier than they appear - be prepared.

The April poker run was about 30 miles long and included maybe 300 riders but amazingly the trails weren’t terribly congested.
I let faster riders pass me. Some of the trail sections can be tricky - I would suggest inexperienced riders have a coach with them, but don’t let that scare you away from all the fun. I think it’s great when the whole family is riding together.
Note: Riders do not have to formally enter the poker run in order to ride but only those who formally enter can draw chips for prizes. Primitive camping is available - there’s no running water and no restrooms but a creek does run through the area. I don’t know iF the creek water can be consumed - personally I would not use it for consumption - but it’s adequate to rinse the gloopy stuff off our machines.

I loved the run and purposed to go again. After the run I obtained permission from the property owner to ride here when there’s not an official poker run.

Since then I’ve ridden here maybe 8 times and I’m discovering new trails with each visit. With logging operations underway there will be new trails in the future. On Memorial Day weekend I went riding and came across large group of campers. Found out later these folks are from out of state and come here every year to ride. Something keeps bringing them back.

If you’ve not ridden here before I would suggest riding during a poker run because that’s when the trails are marked best. After the runs some trail markers are removed and without them it’s easy to get lost. Many intersections and features look alike and there’s no maps of the riding area. For that reason I would suggest new riders to ride during a poker run. Once familiar with the area then its OK to explore the numerous side trails. Beware, there is a nearby game preserve. The owner is said to be strict (I would be too).
The preserve boundaries are said to be marked. If you come across No Trespassing signs or closed gates simply turn around and go back, simple as that.

Here’s the website for the Ramey Fire Company’s 2011 poker runs as well as driving directions:
http://www.rameyfirecompany.com/poker-runs.html

Remaining 2011 Poker Run Dates
July 10
August 7
September 11
October 9

In two weeks I hope to go camping and riding here with one of my best friends. This place in Ginter has surpassed even Bloody Skillet - in my opinion. Ginter is as diverse as the Skillet, but for me it’s alot closer home. Another benefit is that the riding area in Ginter is it’s much closer to civilization than the Skillet. Just down the road is Houtzdale where one can find gas, phones, restaurants etc.

Maybe I’ll see you there.
Gene