THE SWAMI'S POKER RIDE IS HERE!

This ride is unsanctioned, unmarshaled, unruly, and unbelievably fun!!! 

You’ll need to be in a quad of riders for this 50-60 mile ride. The only rule is that the entire team must start together, ride in to the card stations together, and finish together. We’ll have 5 card-stations (including the start) where each team will receive a playing card and the location of the next station. There are NO route sheets. It is up to each team to figure out how to get to the next station (All stations are in north county). 

The minimum is 4 team members with a maximum of 6. Choose wisely as you will need people who know the best roads to get to each station. You may ride on the road, trails, rocks, or wherever you want as there are no rules on how to get the the next station (We respect no-trespassing signs and obey rules of the road). E-bikes are not allowed.

PRIZES!

This grass-roots cycling event is part fun ride, part competition, and part adventure. We offer these prize categories:

• Best Poker Hand

• Shortest Route (Gravel riders!)

• Best Team Name

• Worst Poker Hand

• Best Team Photos (Enter to win at the end of your ride by sharing your photos with us)
• Most Elevation (according to Strava)

• And of course, Fastest Team! (according to Strava)  We'll have the Swami’s Cup for the fastest team… Think Stanley Cup! The winning team’s name will be added to the cup, and the team gets to keep, protect and flaunt this amazing accomplishment until the 2026 Poker Ride. They may then defend their cup… or pass it to a new team. 

REGISTRATION AND COST:
Registration is required! This event is free to Swami’s members and $10 for non-members.    

If you have a team, you’ll enter the name when you register. If you don’t have a team, we're happy to help! Just answer a couple of questions, and we’ll match you up with the most appropriate team. 

If you have any questions or need to make changes regarding your team, please email treas@swamis.org

FOOD:
We will have water available at each card station, but please make sure you and your teammates pack enough snacks for a 50-60 mile ride.  In usual Swami’s style, we will offer a catered lunch and Lost Abbey beer at the end of the ride for all to enjoy.  Bring your own chairs for post-ride. While grass seating is plentiful, park bench seating is limited. 

START LOCATION AND TIME:
Alga Norte Community Park
6565 Alicante Lane Carlsbad

* We'll be by the basketball courts.

* Teams roll out as soon as all members are present and checked in. Check-in begins at 7:45 AM.

* Preferably the fast teams, you know who you are, leave after 8:30am.

* If you ride to the start, remember to start a new Strava activity when the Poker Ride begins so that your time, elevation, and distance are accurate.

We want to have fun and bring our cycling community together, so invite your friends and other clubs to join! We are so excited to bring back this festive event and can’t wait to see all of you!!!

• Safety is always first. Each cyclist is responsible for following health and cycling safety guidelines as well as traffic laws.
• Helmets are required. 
• This event is rain or shine. No refunds.