Motorbikes out in force on SH35 memorial ‘poker run’ charity ride ‘poker run’ ride

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Up to 300 motorcyclists will be out on State Highway 35 tomorrow taking part in what they call ‘The Poker Run”.

Some of the bikers belong to the Highway 35 Motorcycle Club, which has about 25 members, from Potaka at the top of East Cape down to Gisborne.

This weekend their numbers will swell considerably with riders coming from other parts of the North Island.

As they tour the coast highway tomorrow, they will stop at various “watering holes” where they will play a hand of poker, before moving on to the next one.

The event ends up at the Te Puka Tavern in Tokomaru Bay tomorrow night.

It starts at Toko’s Cafe 35 tomorrow morning.

“The Poker Run is basically a memorial event for the late Highway 35 club founder Vic Ross from Tokomaru Bay,” said club president Ivan Lomax.

Mr Ross passed away earlier this year.

“We originally intended to run it back in March, but after Cyclone Gabrielle that was not possible,” Mr Lomax said.

“At that time we got calls from all around the country from bike riders who wanted to come here to support the local community in any way they could.

“The money raised with our event tomorrow will be used to support local organisations, with half of it going to St John ambulance on the East Coast, who do a great job up here, and the other half to the drug education programme NZ P-PULL.

“We hope to raise well over $2000-3000.”

The riders will be attending the community market day in Tokomaru Bay tomorrow morning.