Part scenic ride, part scavenger hunt and part card game, the poker run is a way for bikers to come together. Bikers are each given one playing card at the start of the run, then they must find their way to four other locations to pick up the remaining cards for their hands. Each biker also gets a run sheet with travel directions.

“At the end, everyone has a chance to buy two more cards, too,” Keaton said. “It’s sort of like seven-card draw. When we get to Brandy Station, we’ll give out awards for the best and worst hands, and stuff like that.”The stops in between Culpeper and Brandy Station were Waugh’s Harley Davidson in Orange, Madison Motor Shop in Ruckersville and Boston Store on Rt. 522. The poker run isn’t a race, so bikers typically take their time navigating the course and socializing with each other at each stop.The registration-fee money for this run will mostly go to charities, such as the Humane Society and Culpeper’s gift basket program, but some may be put toward ABATE’s legislative efforts.

“We are a very active group in government regulation of motorcycle riding,” Keaton said. “We’ve helped to open up HOV lanes for bikes, helped to change lighting regulations and been involved with safety legislation.”

Recently, ABATE helped defeat a bill that sought to restrict motorcycles to one tail light. Many bikes currently have more, with some having up to five.

“It’s hard enough to see us as it is when we’re on the road at night,” Keaton said. “We didn’t think a law like that would keep us safe.”But recently ABATE has been involved with a more controversial issue: helmet reform.

Keaton and her supporters don’t like the idea of a blanket law that requires all bikers to wear protective headgear at all times. ABATE is proposing that riders over the age of 21 who have completed a safety course or have two years’ riding experience should be given the option to ride helmetless.

“We think motorcycle safety classes are very important,” Keaton said. “They are offered all over the state year-round. In fact, there is a weekend course being offered at Germanna (Community College) right now. It happens all year long. We believe that education, not legislation, is the best way to keep bikers safe.”

ABATE, a State Motorcyclists Rights Organization, knows it needs its supporters to be active in the political process in order to pass favorable legislation. Keaton and her fellow officers encourage members to register to vote and to exercise that right as often as possible.“We can’t make a difference if people don’t get out there and let themselves be heard,” Keaton said.

Keaton met with state delegate Ed Scott July 20 and state senator Edd Houck July 27 to discuss ABATE’s legislative concerns. Both men support less regulation of motorcyclists.

“We are very lucky to have people like them in this part of the state,” Keaton said. “They don’t want to see more regulation and neither do we. We have enough laws.”

Culpeper’s ABATE chapter is part of Virginia’s Region 8, which expands to Fredericksburg, Charlottesville and even Harrisonburg. Despite the region’s size, there aren’t as many chapters as Keaton would like to see. She remains hopeful that places like Fredericksburg and Charlottesville will open new posts soon, though.

“It would be nice because then we’d have more supporters in the area,” Keaton said.

Now that would be a winning hand.

Alex Tilling
Culpeper Star Exponent