Thunder into Louisville Saturday Nov. 5th

[Davefromky]

FOX 41's Thunder Into Louisville Poker Run << back


Event Info


Date: Saturday, November 05, 2005
Location: Starts at Bluegrass Harley-Davidson. Ends at Caesars Indiana.
Time: Registration open 9 - 9:45 AM. Poker Run begins at 10 AM. Final stop at Caesars Indiana should be 2:30 PM. (Rain date is November 6th.)
Registration Fee: $15 single rider, $30 tandem (Fee includes: Limited edition metal Thunder Into Louisville Pin and 1 Poker Hand per entry. Caesars Indiana providing entertainment and a special gift.)
Sponsored By: Fox 41 WDRB, Jack Daniel's, Bluegrass Harley Davidson, Caesars Indiana
Media Partner: FOX 41 WDRB
More Info: 502.584.6383


Event Links


Registration Information
2005 Harley Raffle
2004 Harley Raffle


Event Description












The Thunder Into Louisville Poker Run and Motorcycle Rally is WDRB Fox 41's way of going all out to support a favorite community event. The inaugural event in 2003 was such a success that it returns for a third year. Proceeds from the biker event will support the 2006 Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies.

The motorcycle "Poker Run," will include five stops starting at the Bluegrass Harley Davidson dealership at 11701 Gateworth Way. Jocks from WSFR 107.7 FM, will join WDRB talent to give away prizes from rally sponsors, along with a $1,750 purse for the top three "best hands" in the poker run. (First Place -$1000, Second - $500, Third - $250)

Brochures available soon at Bluegrass Harley Davidson and Kentucky Derby Festival, or you can also register race morning from 9-9:45 am. Rally sponsors are: Bluegrass Harley Davidson, Caesars Indiana, Jack Daniel's and WDRB Fox 41. WSFR 107.7 FM will provide race day updates and remote broadcasts.

This is event is part of the Derby Festival's grassroots Thunder

[Whitty]

Not sure if anyone else went on this ride but it was a mess.
Here's my letter to the people that put it together and their reply.

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This is just a copy of the letter I sent in to the organizers of the Thunder Into Louisville ride. Hopefully they'll take me seriously.
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To whom it may concern:


I'm not sure exactly who to contact about the 2005 Thunder Into Louisville poker run so if you're not who I need to contact, then please refer me to the correct person or persons.

If this is where I can submit my complaints and suggestions, then please respond as soon as you have the chance.

This was the first year that I've participated in the Thunder Over Louisville Poker Run. Some changes for next year will determine if I promote or participate in it again. I will not put my friends and fellow riders in a dangerous situation like that again. If they chose to go on their own, then that is their choice.

I am completely in support of Thunder Over Louisville. I've enjoyed it for many years and would like to continue to see it happen.

What I'm not in support of is how the 2005 poker run was handled and organized. The route planned out was obviously not made by a biker, or at least one that rides year round, nor very much. I'd be surprised if it was planned out by someone who rides at all. It seemed as if someone had planned the route using MapQuest and never actually went over the roads.

For an organization that was expecting over 1000 bikes to show up, the roads were very poorly chosen. The road after leaving the first stop, Covenant Industries, was horrible. It passed by a Rock Quarry where the road was covered with cement like rock, sediment, and a sand like substance that was thrown all over the bikes. I know my motorcycle suffered some scratches after trying to clean it off because the substance was so abrasive, like sandpaper. I'm hoping it will buff out. Also on that road, was a train track we had to ride over which was in horrible condition. It was very rough, so much to the point that one poor girl got her front wheel stuck in a pot hole and was thrown from her bike. I heard about it at the next stop at Shooter's Supply. I believe the girl was okay but her bike was pretty messed up. There is no excuse for routing people over that road, several others should have been considered.

Since there was no one actually leading the group, we had to follow the route provided by the info sheet passed out at registration. At least no one was aware there was anyone leading the group. I'm not sure if the guy playing the tuba was supposed to kick things off but when bikes started pulling out, everyone was wondering who gave the go ahead and if we were actually supposed to leave yet.

I understand the stops were planned out due to who the sponsors were and that's fine but there were no refreshments at all available at the first, third, or fourth stops. People don't mind buying refreshments if they're available. Most poker runs consist of going to different bars or locations where you can get a beverage or some food. I know no one expected it to get that warm this year for the ride but many were dressed for cold weather and were burning up by the time we got to the first stop and waited in line to get our cards.

Thankfully, Shooter's Supply gave out bottled water. I've already written them and thanked them for that. S&S Power Sports had cookies out and soda machines available which was also nice. The set up at WDRB had food and drinks available as well.

When I read on the sheet that there would be a parade of the bikes to Caesar's I thought that there would finally be some organization but I was wrong on that as well. It was just like we had left Harley Davidson. No one knew what was going on and it was one huge mess. People were still trying to get to their bikes when people started pulling out. There was no escort and many almost got run over at intersections because they didn't know if they were supposed to stop at the traffic lights or continue the “parade”. Thankfully there was one old man that would stop traffic at a few intersections but he was the only one I saw doing that and there were more intersections that he could handle by himself.

I'm not going to complain about the “special prize” Caesar's had waiting for us (beverage cozy) but it wasn't what I had expected. I had heard from people that had been on the ride before that they gave out $20 playing cards or a ½ off the buffet ticket previous years. I also heard before the ride, Caesar's was being pressured to donate more and more stuff, which may have been the reason why everyone just got a beverage cozy.

I'm sure there are more things I could complain about but over all, the above mentioned was the worse part of it. We're not expecting a bunch of free stuff. The purpose of a poker run is to have fun, ride, and benefit a good cause.

Here are the suggestions I can make for next year if people even want to show up again:

1. Have someone that actually rides motorcycles help plan out the route a. Make sure that the number of riders and the experience of riders are taken into consideration when choosing the roads b. Drive over the roads in a car to be sure there is enough room for a staggered riding position and to also be sure the condition of the roads are safe c. Possibly restrict permit holding riders from going on the ride 2. Suggest to the sponsors that they save their promotions for the end of the ride at WDRB where they can set up booths a. Sponsors could also just put the flyers they passed out at the stops in a bag we could receive at registration b. If they prefer to have the riders stop by their business location, they may consider having drinks or snacks for sale i. (proceeds could go towards Thunder) c. Choose more fun places to stop at such as a bar or other type of place with adequate parking. 3. Have a planned out ride a. Possibly split groups into 50-100 or tell the riders they can ride at their own pace b. Have 2 leaders per group that are part of the event i. One to lead and one to follow up the rear in case anyone has trouble or in case the group gets split up ii. People designated to block traffic at intersections would be nice as well (Volunteers with experience could be picked from each group) c. Provide a police escort for the parade to Caesar's i. Also have police blocking the intersections when the groups are leaving the starting point and on the way to Caesar's


I'm not one to complain about stuff but my main concern is for that of the riders safety and the success of the event as a whole. I think it's a well intentioned event for a good cause but it needs a lot of help if it's going to continue to be successful. I am willing to help out if I can for next year. I think it's awesome that many bikes can get together for one purpose. I'd like to help if I can or at least make it a little more enjoyable for the riders.

Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail. I know it's long but it's probably only about half of what I intended to get out.

Hope to hear from you soon,

-Ben Whitaker Founder and leader of MojoCycle www.louisvillemojo.com/mojocycle (http://www.louisvillemojo.com/mojocycle)

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While it sounds a bit generic, hopefully we'll see some improvements. Here is the first reply I got from a Bill Lamb at Fox41:

Ben,


Your suggestions are outstanding. Thank you. We're going to have a meeting this week to analyze everything that went right and everything that needs attention for next year. You have already done a good deal of our work for us. Thank you so much. While overall I think this was our best run yet, I agree with just about everything you have suggested.


Bill Lamb