Nearly 60 cyclists departed Tioga Town Center in perfect riding weather this morning for the Second Annual Veterans Day Poker Run. Three-fourths opted for the longer 79 mile route with the remainder still visiting all four veterans monuments/memorials on the 56 mile option. A stiff easterly breeze proved to be "character building" for some on the longer route but the group always managed to re-form, even after unexpectedly encountering a street festival in Alachua. In a late charge to the finish, "Iron Mike" Beckham dropped the hammer with an ace of hearts on the final draw to cross the line with three of a kind. Burt Silverstein (3 fives) and John Kranzler (3 fours) could only shake their heads in amazement. Greg Ferrone's two pair - which would have taken top honors last year - could not even get on the podium in 2012. And in a race for the bottom - there were many baaaad hands - the competition for the lanterne rouge prize was fierce. In the end, Kate Caldwell held the lowest high card and took the honors this year.
1st - Mike Beckham ($50 gift certificate)
2nd - Burt Silverstein ($30 gift certificate)
3rd - John Kranzler ($15 gift certificate)
Lanterne Rouge - Kate Caldwell (a special framed remembrance of Bernard Hinault striking a blow for cyclists' rights AND a pair of Timberland sunglasses)
Contributions by riders totaled $660.00 which will go entirely to the Gainesville Fisher House. Special thanks to all the vets who rode with us today. And thanks again to our sponsors and volunteers:
Bike Works (podium prizes)
Alligator Island Optical & Talking Walls II (lanterne rouge prize)
Canopy Crafts (prize packaging)
Ed Gardener (peloton route leader)
James Thompson (coffee and shop support)
David Bello, Jayson O'Mahoney, and Roger Pierce (ride promotion)
Nance Lempinen-Leedy & Arden Leedy (rider sign-in and my permission slip)
Look for a return in 2013!
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Todd Leedy