Spy-Swamis Poker Ride

The Spy-Swamis Poker Ride is a grass-roots cycling event that is part fun ride, part TTT and part adventure race.  4-person teams will ride/compete on a challenging course through the north county San Diego back roads.  Each team must ride and finish together so pick your team carefully.  There will be 5 check-points (including the start and finish) where each team will receive a playing card.  Prizes and will be awarded to the team with the best poker hand and for the teams with the fastest times in their categories so you don't necessarily need to have a fast team to win.  There will also be a BBQ/party (with lots of schwagg for all) for post ride socializing and smack talk.  

The idea is to have some fun, do something a little different and bring our cycling community together so invite your friends and other clubs to join the fun.

We'll be announcing details of the next few weeks but here are a few to get you started:

• The Spy Swamis Poker Run is an unsanctioned, unmarshalled and unsupported event. Each team/rider must be self-supported and is responsible for their safety and following the rules of the road.
• Riders must ride/compete as a 4-person team and each team must ride and finish together.  All four riders must sign-in at each checkpoint before the team can depart the checkpoint. 
• The course will travel through the backcountry of North San Diego County.  It will be a challenging loop of approximately 50-60 miles that may include some dirt sections and will certainly include hills so participants are encouraged to prepare accordingly.
• The general route will be posted before the ride but specific route details will only be revealed at the event start and at each checkpoint.  Maps and route sheets will be provided at the start and at the checkpoints but navigation skills and knowledge of the roads will be helpful. 
• Each team will receive a playing card at the start and finish of the ride and at each of three mid-ride checkpoints along the course.  The team with the best and worst poker hand at the end of the ride will win a prize.
• Teams will start at 1 minute intervals.  The teams with the fastest times in the following categories will win a prize:
• • Open Mens
  • Masters - combined age ≥ 180 yrs
  • Mixed – at least 2 women
  • Womens
• Registration is open to all individuals and clubs but will be limited to 25 teams