8th Annual Sacandaga Lake Poker Run
We ride around The Great Sacandaga Lake with Ken, Ray and their friends.
When we started this magazine I told Karen that we would know that we have made it when we received unsolicited e-mail inviting us to cover a run. To me that would be a sure indication that we had been accepted by the riding community at large. I just did not expect that to happen for a couple of years but like everything else with the magazine, the magazine is ahead of schedule.
We had the 8th Annual Sacandaga Poker Run in the schedule of events and it had been there since the inception of the magazine. We also had it on our schedule of events that we were going to attend.
It was quite a surprise when we received an unsolicited e-mail from Ken Carner Jr. asking us if we would attend the 8th Annual Sacandaga Poker Run. Since we already had it on the schedule, it was an easy decision to make so we accepted his gracious offer.
The ride was scheduled to leave The Long Horn in Lake Vanare and circumnavigate the Great Sacandaga Lake. We departed with 70 bikes and our first stop was at Wally’s in Mayfield NY. We so need to get Wally’s into the Directory of Biker Friendly Bars and Taverns but first we have to figure out how to get there. Wally’s is just one those exceptional off the beaten path places that you must someday visit. I know we will be going back if we can ever find it. While there I got the chance to meet Wally and it would be hard to find a friendlier individual to meet.
Our second stop was at Vick’s Tavern & Restaurant in Northville. When we arrived there were hot dogs ready and waiting along with plenty of cold beverages for purchase. While we were at Vicks, Ken introduced me to Ray Brennan who is the ride organizer. Ray told me about his dreams and ambitions of eventually turning this ride into a larger fall event along the lines of a very small Americade. We are open to helping Ray in any way possible to helping Ray achieve his dream.
Our third stop was at the Olde Trail Inn in Edinburg. I had been here once before during Leah’s ride and it is a really nice place to make a stop. From the Olde Trail Inn we proceeded down the east side of the Sacandaga Lake into Hadley. We turned left on to the Stony Creek Road and proceeded to Ray’s cave. When we arrived there, the tents were set up and the food was well on the way to being ready. Two fridges of cold beer awaited and everyone unwound from the ride. I had to cut early in order to attend another event that evening so I was not able to try the food but as I was leaving I was told that I needed to say as the food was superb. Maybe next year we will be able to stick around for the evening festivities.
A superb ride with scenic views of Sacandaga Lake at almost every turn. Well worth the time and investment and we will most certainly do it again next year.
