Mid West Chapter's Dead Man's Hand Dry Run

    by Thommo      4th July 2010

American Independence day, Sunday 4th July, saw a gathering of 22 bikes, trikes and support vehicle gather at Gull Tarcoola to help the Midwest chapter conduct a (not so)dry run for the upcoming Deadmans Hand poker run.

With the number of bikes there it was lucky that I just happened to have a deck of cards, pen and paper in my panniers so it was decided to have an impromptu poker run on the dry run. An idea readily taken up by all.
We left at 1030 and headed east to Mullewa (100kms) into a bitter easterly to stop at the Railway Hotel which opened early for us and put on a fantastic feed. If you are ever through this way mention to Dimitri you are with the Patriots and he will look after you. After a gut filling feed it was of to Mingenew’s Commercial hotel for the second stop.

A few road works were the order of the day here with a bit of loose blue metal on the road and several culverts being dug certainly got a few slightly airborne. The Commie also does a good feed and looks after all bikers. The helmet was passed around at the Commie for fuel money for the support vehicle. A couple of us got a bit of exercise here, pushing Skegs bike up the road as it wouldn’t start. Third effort (jumper leads) got him going in the direction of Dongara. It was a quick 55kms to Dongara, with some bikes testing the bends to the limit.

It was in Dongara that Skegs bike gave up the ghost completely, lucky for the support vehicle. The bike was loaded on by the help of many. The two last cards were drawn here as several of the lads on the run came up to Geraldton to support us. Thanks to all the Dongara crew. Then wouldn’t you know it Rob from Dongara picked himself up first prize with three queens. The Dongara crew parted company here as we headed down the Brand Highway to the Walkaway Tavern.

This will be the last stop on the poker run. The publican here has allowed us use of his BBQ so we can supply our
own snags and have a sausage sizzle without getting ripped off this year.

Thanks to all that attended the dry run. Especially to Disko from the Eureka club, who are great supporters of Patriots Midwest. They are supplying the cooks for the sausage sizzle. Big Splat for being the support vehicle driver again. Owners/publicans of all establishments we stopped at for supplying raffle prizes.
Last but not least Turbo from Gull Tarcoola who is our major sponsor again this year.

The second annual Deadmans Hand Poker will be on Sunday 29 August 2010. See website for more details or ring me (Thommo) on 0408 624 896.

Thommo
VP Midwest Chapter