All Around Ashburn: Bikers Ride For AVFRD Charity Poker Run

Last Saturday delivered one of the most beautiful days of the summer. It was the perfect day for the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department's first annual Poker Run event.

A “poker run” is an event where a motorcyclist enjoys a scenic ride during which s/he collects a hand of poker and in this case, supports a worthy cause. The event was the brainchild of Track Day Customs' co-owner Chuck Davis and Jeena Yoon, owner of Fuddrucker's in Ashburn.

Over the morning, more than fifty bikers showed up at the firehouse to pick the first card of their poker hand and start their ride. The ride, designed by Davis, wound through the back roads of Ashburn with four stops to pick up the additional cards for their poker hand. I talked to a few of the riders, some of whom came from as far away as Alexandria. One of the most colorful participants was Bill Dunlap, from Sterling, who came with his wife Diane and some of his buddies, including father-daughter pair Harry and 10-year-old Jessica. I asked about Bill's unusually bright shirt and Jessica replied, “He wears stuff like that every day.” Bill retorted good-naturedly, “It's either that or go naked!” Bill won the $75 second place hand for the poker part of the Poker Run with a pair of aces. Bill told me, “I split it with Jessica because she picked all of my cards for me.” The final stop was at Fuddruckers, where the prizes and raffles were awarded and the riders refueled. DJ Kaos provided musical entertainment both at the firehouse and during the after-the-event festivities. Barbara Murphy, sergeant of the firehouse, said she is extremely appreciative of the community sponsors and thinks the event may have raised close to $1500 for the AVFRD.