PHIL PETERSON’S 30TH KEY WEST POKER RUN
The storms were playing in the Gulf
of Mexico and around Cuba but that didn’t stop the bikers from coming out
for this great event. The ride through the Keys in September is something
that you do not want to miss. Riding with the tropical breeze, the blue
ocean on either side of you as you ride through the small unique islands
over the famous Seven Mile Bridge, with great views and places to stop for a
cold one, or delicious food along the way. Most of these places are filled
with your fellow riders and have something special going on. The threat of
rain was not going to stop the bikers or the party. Hell, it rains in
Florida all the time. You just pull into one of the party stops and wait
until it passes. Then, of course, when you get to Key West, the main event,
there’s more partying.
Though it is not an official poker run stop,
the Last Chance Saloon is always one that is made. It sits at the end of the
Florida Turnpike and the start of the Keys. I always stop at the Caribbean
Club in Key Largo and also at the Holiday Isle in Islamorada, which were
official stops this year. All the other run stops, and those you have
visited in the past and have mafia friends at, have parties going on, and
all of it together makes for a totally enjoyable ride and a great day.
There are so many bars and restaurants that
they all can not be listed but some of those that had special events were
Crabby Bill’s Biker Babe Bike Wash, The Schooner Warf Bar had their tattoo
show, plus the Leather and Lace, Chrome and Steel show, and of course
SloppyJoe’s held the bike show.
I have to mention the famous Hogs Breath Saloon
and my hangout, The Bull—both cater to bikers all year long.
In addition to the poker hand, if you got three
of a kind or better you got a chance to roll six special dice and if you
rolled H-A-R-L-E-Y you won a new Harley or $20,000 cash.
All of the money raised goes to benefit the
Diabetes Research Institute and Key West Sunrise Rotary Club.
I am proud to say that Phil Peterson is a
personal friend of mine and a finer person you will never meet. He, his
family and staff spend a lot of time putting this event on and it shows by
how efficiently it runs. Thanks Phil.
I have been making this run since the late ‘70s
and can usually be found in the window of The Bull Bar on Duval Street, with
camera in hand. You may be in one of my pictures.
For info on Key West runs contact Miami H-D at
305-651-4811; www.miamiharley.com
or Rogue at www.bikerrogue.com.
Hope to see you there next year.
—Rogue
