Fat Boy Poker Run Thank You Letter

Thanks for riding in the May 1, 2010 Fat Boy Biking Poker Run!

We had over 230 riders and we will be able to donate $3,200 to Dilworth Middle School. I am floored and astonished what you and the community have been able to do in one year. There were a few of us that decided to do this one year ago. Actually last year at the Tour De Nez kick off at Amendment 21 we set up our first presentation of the Poker Run. We had maybe six people come up and talk to us. I had my doubts. Then only a dozen or so preregister for the September 2009 Poker Run. Boy was I nervous. Then 104 participated in our first Poker Run and I was delighted that we were able to donate $2,200 to Dilworth.

So to be were we are now is just mind boggling. Then to think were we will be in the near future is exciting! Below I have itemized where the money went to this past ride.

Comments – Concerns – Opinions:

We have heard you and we promise to keep improving the Poker Run every time it is held. Please understand that I am new at running events and will make mistakes but you will not find a more honest or hard working person than the one writing this letter. I find it a challenge to be able to do something that is fun but also is for charity. Our group: Richard Peraldo, Dino Moler, Katie Mendelsohn, and I, have met with Cindy from O’Skis and keep contact with the other main bars on the Poker Run and of course you the participants. Below are some things that have been brought up and ideas that we have in the works. If you have any ideas please email me. I will listen and take into consideration everything – just no promises that every opinion is going to be implemented.
#1. Time on the Ride:
A lot of people, including myself, felt rushed during the ride. So we will add another hour to the ride on September 18, 2010.

#2. Cheating with the cards:
All the volunteers are donating their Saturday to help us. They were put in a bad spot and well we apologize about the cheating. I will address this with them next time and try to fix that end. In September we will offer three to five grand prizes but no will know what hand wins which prize. We will draw out of a hat at 4:30 and that envelope drawn will decide who wins which prize. Example: For the Bud Bike the winning hand might be the highest full house or the lowest two of a kind, highest three of a kind, lowest two pair, three – threes with a nine kicker, etc, etc,. This way everyone on ride is never out of contention for a prize and does not know what the winning hands would be so cheating does nothing to help their cause.

#3. Some of the bars were too crowded:
I will sit down with each owner and discuss food and drink specials, staffing, etc. Please remember that for some of them this is new just like it is new for me. So give them a chance like you have given me a chance. We will also be adding two more bars to help spread out the riders. So seven places to stop and get a card but you can only draw five cards. I am going out to talk to a few places, will not mention names until they say yes, but if you have a place to offer email me.

#4. I want to ride more:
We have thought about this and think we have come up with an idea that will not mess with what we have going but be able to offer a 40 to 50 mile ride for those that want to log more miles. There will be two choices in September. The current 11:00 to 12:00 start for the 10 mile ride and a 9:00 am start for the 40 to 50 mile ride. Both will start at O’Skis. The long Poker riders will get their first card then bike straight through the Poker Course with out stopping at any bars. They will have a rest stop at Roy Gomm Elementary then proceed out to Verdi Elementary for their next rest stop. After riding the Verdi Loop head back into town. The fast riders will hit Amendment 21 around 11:00 am and start the Poker Course back to O’Skis. The slower riders will arrive at Amendment 21 around 1:00 pm and start the Poker Run. Basically getting in a 35 to 40 mile ride in before they ride with the other bikers.

#5 Why only Dilworth:
Because I am from Dilworth but I am looking at adding a few more donation causes. I am working with the group and will update you on where the donations are going to go for the next Poker Run.

#6 What about Facebook:
We have started a fan page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Boy-Biking/116322481731395 Just cut and paste if you can’t click it. Richard Peraldo will be running this for us. Please become a fan and spread the word to your friends. Also please add fan photos. The photos up right now are compliments of Barbara. They turned out great.

#6 T-Shirt shortage:
We were thrilled to have so many “day of” participants, but we were a little caught off guard by that and were short on the t-shirts. We will correct that problem and have plenty of sizes next time.

Overall everyone seemed to have a great time. I thank all the volunteers, bars, sponsors, and riders for making this fun to coordinate. On the grand scale close your eyes and imagine in three years that we have eight to nine bars with over 500 10-mile riders and over 100 50-mile riders participating. Sounds crazy but only one year ago we had our little table up for three hours promoting our ride and hardly anyone wanted to talk to us. You need to have a goal and so far we have reached every goal on the rides. My goal for September is to have 350 to 500 total riders with seven bars participating. Grand prizes to include three bikes, flat screen TV, iPod, and a Hotel Package. Of course more great prizes to be offered in the raffle drawing.

I have not had time to sit down with Jan from Dilworth and finalize all the accounting. I plan to do this Monday so the official spread sheet will be up on the site next weekend. But I wanted to get the rough draft out to you in this letter and I wanted to thank you ASAP.

Money From the May 1, 2010 Poker Run:
Money collected $4,600

Money Spent:

T-Shirts-Buttons-Magnets: $1,000

Internet: I run the site through SBI and the cost to run their program is $299 a year. I paid for this out of my pocket last year.

Directors Fee: $100 – I spend countless hours and do not want to be paid but took this money to help with gas, paper, printing, etc. I end up donating all my time and some money to make this work.

Money Donated to Dilworth: $3,200

On a side note we could go cheaper with the things we give the riders but instead of a one color small logo on a cheap shirt we spend more by going with a large logo with all our sponsors on the back. We give out at least one to two shirts to each sponsor. We also wanted to give the riders a magnet and some buttons during the raffle. Keep the magnets on the fridge to help remind you of when our poker run dates are.
Wow this is long! Now you know why I only sent out the short version on email! So I end by thanking you again and bring a friend or two with you September 18, 2010.

Early Registration starts now. Yes – it is already up on Active.com and on our website: www.fatboybiking.com - while here become a member and get our newsletter two to three times a month. We bike as a group almost every week.

Leo Mendelsohn
Original Fat Boy