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.

K&P

Great write up!!!

Are you a professional writer?

Thanks for the info K&P. Looks like there is all kinds of hidden talents in the members here .

Trail Ranger,

No, I'm not a professional writer but I do find writing and drawing easier than making conversation.
I absolutely love riding my ATV. I love it so much that I want to share what I feel and see with others who are like-minded.

Y'all have a great holiday. K&P

we did this run on 7/10 it was a pretty good run but REALLY dusty is my only complaint. well other than i didnt win anything
i think it would be better in the fall or after a rain storm
????as it was my first time there do they switch the trails up from one month to the next? and how bad is the "hard way" out?

11Grizz450,

Two days after the poker run I went riding with an old friend of mine.
You're right about the dust - it was bad. Found some mud though and I was so filthy I had to take a bath in the creek. I used my boot as a bucket to rinse the heaviest mud off my machine. I love that riding area and I really appreciate the landowner's hospitality.

Certain features of the poker run are burned into my memory but I don't remember what exactly made that way hard. Sorry!

Just a note of interest: Do you remember the bridge crossing that was followed by either a 3 point turn or a trip through a mudhole?
Ok, maybe a half mile after that bridge crossing there's a small wooded valley on the right. At the back end of that valley there are two small openings in the hillside - I wouldn't be surprised if they were openings to old mine shafts. Just something I thought was neat.

Oh yeah, Most of these poker runs follow the same course with a few variations. The time of year makes a BIG difference. With the scorching heat of summer some of the water holes are completely dried up revealing just how deep they really are.

I might enjoy a winter ride here with maybe 6" of fresh snow but I would probably stick to the main trails.

Something else: The main dirt road that goes through this area is commonly called the "Ho Chi Min Trail". Remember the asphalt road we had to cross during the run? This asphalt road is properly called "Hale Road". At a certain point the paved Hale Road becomes a dirt road - this is the beginning of Ho Chi Min. I just recently learned that they are the same road. If you ever go riding here outside of a poker run use the Ho Chi Min trail as a navigating feature. If you're on the Ho Chi Min - you're not lost.

K&P

Game commission bought the other side so we are no longer allowed to ride the other side...what a shame!


BTW, the mudholes...don't bother even trying them or this may happen...

WildHorse800,

Yep, that's the mudhole I was talking about. When I was a teenager my friends and I discovered a serious mudhole like this one. It was so bad we named it "Pig Path". That was back in the 1980's

I had my machine stuck too, in another mudhole, when I went riding on Tuesday.
For once my machine didn't bottom-out - I could move back and forth in the hole but it just would not climb out of that hole without being pulled. Lots of fun regardless.

K&P

that wasa a nice ride except for the dust and heat if you guys go in the fall gimme a holler!
i think ill be able to find it again ( i followed someone lasttime)

Congrats to K&P on the publication of his original post in this month's Rec Rider mag (vol. 1 issue 3).