Sober Old Bikers celebrate 25th poker run

WASILLA — At least a hundred Sober Old Bikers gathered on Snohomish Drive in central Wasilla for their 25th annual S.O.B. Poker Run, an assortment of motorcycle clubs and unaffiliated riders who welcome all into the folds of their fellowship.

“The more patches we see, the better,” said participant Glen Butts of Big Lake. Begun as a fundraiser for the Mat-Su Alano Club, an independent nonprofit which rents space to 12-Step meetings, the Run has flourished over the years through all kinds of weather. From polished chrome to the more weathered “lone wolf” riders, to those on Enduro bikes — even cars and trucks assembled on a foggy morning for a breakfast, followed by a prayer led by the Christian Motorcycle Association. Invoking a call for unity and ending with the hope of safety and ‘shiny side up, rubber side down, all kickstands were up by a few minutes past 11 a.m. on May 21.

A buy-in pot was split amongst the hands drawn along the way, with the run ending in Talkeetna along the riverbank. Interested parties are always welcome; the run typically takes place before Memorial Day each year.