Blue skies and brisk spring temperatures combined to draw a record of 81 cyclists riding Terrace Mountain trails in the Rusty Chains poker ride last Saturday, May 6.
“The weather was perfect for biking,” said Tyler Wilkes, president of Terrace Off-Road Cycling Association (TORCA) which organized the event.
Riders explore trails on Terrace Mountain in what ever routes they choose, tracking down stations scattered around and picking up cards to form a poker hand.
Ten-year-old Wils Moore drew a straight flush poker hand, king-high, and claimed the trophy for the best poker hand.
He hit eight stations, picking up one card at each, and travelled a total of 11 kilometres with his mom Linda Zurkirchen, friend Abel Hartman and Abel’s dad Clint Hartman.
“It was fun… and tiring,” said Moore about his ride, which started at Spring Creek and ended at the Johnstone Street trail head.
Asked about his favourite part of the ride, Moore named a specific downhill stretch.
“The downhill on Steinhoe,” he said. “It was fast, fun, flowy.”
The Rusty Chains ride raised $1,500 for TORCA, which will be reinvested back into the trail networks around Terrace, said Wilkes.
This is the third annual Rusty Chains poker ride, with cyclists of all ages and skill levels discovering and exploring trails and enjoying the great outdoors.
