WIMA Victoria: Ever Tried a Poker Run on a 250cc?

Ever Tried a Poker Run on a 250cc?

After many years attending Poker Runs as a pillion, I decided this was it, I was going solo. After a quick phone call to Terry (the organiser) for advice, he guaranteed we would not be hassled on the day but should not expect special privileges for being female.

The big day arrived. Daniella and I rolled up to the Hell's Angels' clubhouse in Thomastown on our 250cc Viragos. A bit daunting parking amongst some of that machinery but we paid our money, collected our Poker Cards and maps then wandered about chatting to whoever, and looking at some very nice and some very odd motorcycles. (I swear some of those bikes were feral.)

Start time was awesome with the sound of all those bikes kicking over at the same time (the only indication ours had started was when we began to move off). We joined in at the end of the line - I wasn't about to try pushing in on that lot. The traffic controllers went on ahead to close the intersections. I felt like the Queen; after all, how often do you get to ride through red lights on your bike while drivers wait and watch? Only problem was instead of waving they were tooting - I think they were pretty shitted off about being held up for a convoy of motor bikes - not that any of them actually got out of their vehicles and said so!

Down the Tullamarine Freeway and this was when we were definitely on 250's, even the round up vehicles had passed us and although we were guilty of exceeding the legal speed limit, for as far as we could see there wasn't a bike in site. Of course we got lost as we neared the Victoria Market (our first stop), but I was pleased when my lost group swelled in numbers - that meant I wasn't lost after all. By the time we found our way into the parking area, others were enjoying their 2nd drink. Time for another wander, and more socializing. Naturally we had trouble finding our way out of the Market but at least we kept the Asian tourists amused.

Next leg; back alone the Freeway and up the Hume Highway to a truck stop at Kalkallo. This is where Daniella got hopelessly lost by following some hunk to the left instead of right - I'm not sure if it was him or his new Triumph she was after, but that was the last I saw of her. I decided to follow another rider who was happy to take orders from me. I knew if his massive piece of metal squeezed through the gaps I pointed out in the Flemington Road traffic then so would my little Virago. With a guarantee that I would follow, off he went leading me through all those tight spots; I kept my word - I wasn't about to be left behind again.

The advantage of being late this time was we missed the chaos when some bikes went down at the Freeway entrance, but upon my insistence we did travel a short distance along the tram track to avoid the queues that the accident had caused. My guide soon lost me once on the open road, until he took a wrong turn and ended up beside me again on the Hume Highway, asking for directions, ha ha!

Getting closer to the truck stop, up went the biker salute to warn the pack behind to slow down. I didn't get to put my hand up though because when I looked in my mirrors, there wasn't anyone behind me. I felt good again when I parked at the truck bay as a few bikes rolled in after me, meaning I wasn't last. Apart from the two elderly gents on their Gold Wings I think the others arriving later than me may have stopped for fuel or broken down somewhere. This was the only time females had any special privileges on the day - we got to wait in a queue and use the toilets while the males lined up against the back fence. I am pleased no females got desperate and used the fence - it probably would have caused a riot. I met some nice girls in that queue, told them all about WIMA and how they, like me, could discover the joy of riding their very own bike on the Run, rather than throwing a leg over the pillion seat on someone else's.

A quick phone call to Daniella found her safely back at home but not too happy with herself. We watched the regular Poker Run games boys play, burning the rubber of their tyres for a cash prize equal to the cost of a new set. Don't know how they finished the Run on what remained on those rims.

Off again - this time to the little country town of Wandon (2 garages and a pub). I vividly remember the blank look on that Police constable's face as he stood back in the grass while the intersection controllers took over to allow us to safely cross under the Hume Highway.

At least I got to pass some bigger bikes there, albeit as they slowed down to find a park. I just knew we wouldn't all fit in that little Hotel, so I headed for a friend's place further down the road, had a quick drink and got a head start back to Melbourne. I was determined not to be last this time, but in my haste, forgot to collect my map for the last leg, therefore took the wrong road and found myself out their all alone again. Luckily mother lives in nearby Whittlesea, so in for a nice cuppa. All was not lost as there was going to be snags on the BBQ back at the Clubhouse and some hard luck stories to listen too.

I've promised not to treat my bike like that again, not for a while anyway. My twisted sense of adventure tells me we will line up again next year, hopefully on a different bike. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it - treat it as a fun day - have a good laugh at yourself and enjoy - we certainly did!

Annette