about Poker runs or the further disintegration of the biker lifestyle- follow the money

On 10/7/09we posted (link)

The Cannibalization of the "American" Biker

Which of course we thought was one of our better posts guaranteeing it would  enter the black hole of unread blog posts. It was of course a rant.  Which will classify this post as a follow up rant.

A. Because we feel a follow up rant is called for and

B. We truly do love to rant.

But here's the gig. Can somebody tell me about this weird evolution in Poker runs.

Now we have ranted in the past how in the distant past poker runs were to help a downed brother with medical expenses, or getting out of jail, or getting his bike out of impound, or helping his family.

OF course we all know how they have morphed into bands of bikers(ummm recreational motorcycle riders) playing politically correct fine upstanding citizens trying to improve the biker image by riding in every run designed to help every cause but that of "Bikers" and/or "veterans".

Now it is all well and good to support cheerleaders (who ain't gonna play in the next wet t-shirt contest) and doggies that the county pays to feed.  But then comes time to raise money for the downed biker or vets and all the businesses are tapped out from giving to doggie runs and other charities that ain't never going to invite you to their house for dinner and will in fact run over you with a cell phone impaired SUV at their first opportunity!

I know it's just me that gets a little crazy when a biker shop tells me we can't give to a veterans run because we gave to much to the cheer leaders and the doggies (yes I love doggies, I have doggies, I feed my doggies)

But now there is a new wrinkle. Or maybe just new to me in my  ignorant bliss never before noticed.

Seems, now days ya go out and line up a bunch of establishments to participate in helping to sponsor your poker run. They do this for two reasons. To help bikers and maybe make a few bucks. Some even lose money doing  it.

So how do we repay these establishments. We tell the participants you do not have to stop at the stops. You can just go to the end and buy a hand.

HELLLLOOOOOOOOOOO!  Am I freaking crazy or does anybody else see the insanity of this as we shoot ourselves once again in our own feet.

First of all it is a run.  O.K. call me crazy but that means that you get on your motorcycle and you ride the run.  You stop at each one of the establishments that you support and they support you.  You do not fuck them over by passing them by.

Organizations that encourage this are in this humble writers opinion  doing two things. Getting greedy and screwing over those they went and got to agree to participate.  But hey that's OK.  It ain't about the biker lifestyle is it.  It's about the freaking money. right?

Now for those who do not have the foresight to see how this scenario is going to play out lets see if we can prognosticate a little.   In the future when we go into an establishment and ask them to participate Some are going to say "screw off". I  personally have heard complaints from establishments who do not feel they are being treated fairly.

I suspect that will  be ok though. Cause then you won't have to have a run. Just tell everybody we have picked a nice warm sunny day with a nice straight easy route so your ass won't get sore from riding 20 miles where you can go and give us money.

That will then become known as a "Poker Run".

The other little thing I have noticed that hardly seems worth mentioning because after all mentioning any of it is akin to pissing in the wind, is the number of people who win best hand or the 50/50 and KEEP IT ALL. Or give such a little amount back as to make them look like a jerk as they pat themselves on the back for their philanthropy.

Alas I know this is falling on deaf ears . But here's the gig (o.k. another gig) if you believe in the cause enough to ride it in it. Then you should believe in the cause enough to give at least half the money back. That's protocol o.k.   Some, insane that they may be, give it all back.  Yeah I know there are such wackos in the world. But then some of them have been around long enough to understand why it is they ride in the first place.

Think about it, you go on a run to benefit some downed bikers family whose children are going hungry and you take the hundred dollars put it in your pocket and walk away.  

Were it up to me we would take a sledge hammer to your "recreational vehicle" bust it up and auction it off for spare parts.

Now I know there has to be a least one person out there that will give me an AMEN!Add to Technorati Favorites