Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/143894
--.------ --------- --------~~-----~- ---~--- (Top) Headin' down the highway to Vegas with a thumps-up attitude. (Above left) YZs and BMWs mixed at the starting area. (Above center) Finish area behind Circus Circus was crowded. (Above right) Four nines earned Harvey Rawn the $150 first prize. Big showing for B-to-V poker run By Dale Brown BARSTOW, CA/LAS VEGAS, NV, NOV. 27 T,he annual two-wheeled sojourn from Barstow to Las Vegas continued as over 1000 motorcyclists took the highway in the fourth Cycle News Barstow to Vegas Motorcycle Road Ride and Poker Run. Along with providing pins, cash and prizes for the entrants, the event served to raise over $2000 for the Phantom Duck of the Desert Legal Defense Fund and the AMA Legislative Supporter Fund. Organized with the aid of the Victor MacLaglen Motor Corps, this year's version of the event was a pleasant ride in fine weather; not an endurance test through the fierce desert storm of last year. And this year, entrants wound up right in the heart of Las Vegas, just outside the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. The start area was the same as . before, the old Barstow to Vegas hare and hound starting area 20 miles east of Barstow. With as many off-road machines coincidentally in the area, it was a not-often-seen motorcycle culture blends. BMWs were seen parked next to YZs, GLllOOs near CR480s, KZs by KDXs and GSs alongside PEs. Although there were a few sign ups the previous evening, riders began showing up in earnest on Saturday morning. Many clubs were in evidence, especially several chapters of the Gold Wing Riders Association. The ride itself was simple and straightforward: 140 miles northeast to Las Vegas, using Interstate 15. There were two checkpoints, the first being the town of Baker. After getting their envelopes marked, riders often went to nearby restaurants and gas stations for man/machine fill-ups. The second check was located in the heart of the metropolis of jean, NV, inside Pop's Oasis. Riders there found that they could donate something to the state's economy simply by inserting a coin and pulling on a convenient lever. The finish was packed (literally) in a corner of the R V parking lot at Circus Circus. The amount of available space had been reduced a few days prior to the event, and with the large amount of machines arriving, additional parking areas had to be secured. Circus Circus officials converted the helipad at the top of their parking building into a motorcycle parking lot. Despite the lack of space, things went in an orderly fashion as riders chec,ked in and drew their poker hands. The finish line crew was directed by Chuck and Connie johnson, and by Smitty of the Victor MacLaglen crew. Promptly at 3 p.m., the drawing for poker hands shut down. After a certain amount of confusion about the top hand (a full house, aces over lOs, is dandy, but occasionally two pairs will beat it - especially two. pairs of nines), Harvey Rawn of Pacific Palisades took home - or at least into a casino - the $150 first prize. Vicky Lindley, who had mistakenly been given the first prize by mistake, graciously gave back the money and received the $100 for her aforementioned full house. There was a tie for third place, identical full houses, aces over fives. Walter Edquist won $50 in a high card drawing. Then drawings for merchandise prizes lasted until almost dark, with about $5000 being given away. Circus Circus' Paula Simms drew the numbers. With daylight running out, the Victor MacLaglen drill team went to work on a narrow street that was cordoned off. The show kept everyone's rapt attention. Circus Circus officials were delighted with the event, and on the spot invited Skip johnson, the organizer, back for next year. . ... '.' .• 7