15th Annual Veterans Poker Run
Schedule
Sun Nov 09 2025 at 08:30 am to 03:30 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Tipple's Brews & Wine | Gainesville, FL
Popularized by our motorized & leather-clad cousins, a poker "run" is actually a ride that incorporates at least five stops at which each rider draws a card. Our first four card draws on will take place at various local veterans monuments & memorials (Gainesville, Newberry, High Springs, Alachua). After the finish line draw, each rider has a complete hand and best straight poker draw wins the run. Registration: Pre-reg is $15 for current Gainesville Cycling Club members and will be available through the GCC members area. Day of the ride and non-member registrations will be $20 cash or check (payable to Gainesville Cycling Club) only. Non-members must sign waiver/release form.
Your donation will go 100% entirely to Bikes 4 Vets. Donation provides eligibility for podium prizes from Bikes & More (top 3 poker hands) and Tipple's (lanterne rouge, i.e. worst poker hand).
Meet in front of Tipple's - PLEASE park a block south so as not to constrain access to Tipple's or Emergent Care.
Rider sign-in/late registration: 08:30
Pre-ride briefing: 08:50
Roll out: 09:00 sharp (of course!)
Route/Format: Ride format will again resemble the checkpoint system used in brevets. There will be four card draws on the route - each individual or group must reach the card checkpoints within the time periods specified below. The official route (Full Tour) will be 83 miles.
For 2025 the Full Tour will once again cover a mixed surface route as it was for the first time in 2020. Gravel/CX/allroad rigs are therefore recommended for those undertaking the Full Tour. Of course, riders and/or other GCC group leaders may also design any route of their choosing - road, mixed, etc. - provided that they reach the checkpoints within the specified time windows below. Riders or group leaders may elect to skip a checkpoint (except for start & finish) - however, a missed draw cannot be substituted with an extra card from a different checkpoint (e.g. - if you only manage to hit three checkpoints, your hand will contain only 3 cards. But you could still win!). And remember, if you draw the same card at a subsequent checkpoint, you must redraw - no poker hand can contain two of the exact same card.
Full Tour route - 83 miles
Start: Tipple's Brews and Wine : 09:00 rollout
Checkpoint 1: mile 2 - Alachua County Veterans Memorial (7400 SW 41st Pl): 9:10-9:20
Checkpoint 2: mile 14 - Archer Veterans Memorial (7121 SW 137TH AVENUE): 10:00-10:20
Checkpoint 3: mile 49 - High Springs Veterans Monument (110 NW 1st Ave): 12:10-12:30
Checkpoint Gamble: mile 58 - Alachua Monument to Veterans (15100 NW 142nd Terr): 13:00-13:20
Finish/Final Card: mile 83 - Tipple's Brews & Wine. Final card draw closes at 3:30.
Full tour route map posted during week prior to event.
Checkpoints: Please take a few moments to fully appreciate the various veterans monuments & memorials while others in your group are drawing cards.
Support: Riders must be self-sufficient as there is no sag support or provisions provided (i.e. 100% of your donation goes to Bikes 4 Vets). This charity event occurs on open public roads with all risks inherent thereon. There are multiple service stations stops available along the full route. The frequency and duration of feeding zone stops are at riders' discretion but be mindful of the time you need to reach next checkpoint.
Rain Date: We will ride rain or shine, warm or cold - so kit yourself accordingly. GCC rules apply: helmets are mandatory...leave the aero bars and ear buds at home.
