We are once again very proud of our community for pulling together to help a child in need. Ride for a Friend continues to thrive thanks to our many sponsors and community members who support us. We can't thank you all enough. We are steadily making small improvements every year and we hope we can continue to enjoy your support as we begin to plan for the 2018 Ride for a Friend.
The 2017 Ride for a Friend would not have been possible if it was not for the generous support of our sponsors. We are extremely grateful for their help in making the our 5th Annual Charity Poker Run possible!
Please join us in thanking the following organisations! 
92.7 Rock
All Angles Framing
Battery Battery
Beausejour Inn and Restaurant
Best Buy North Bay
Between Us Lovers Boutique
Burger World
Canadian Red Dragon
Carlson Sports
Crown Rust Control North Bay
CT Mobile Hydrolics
Dead City Tattoo Studio
Deluxe Tattoo
East Side Mario's North Bay
Fox & Fiddle
Full Cup Coffee
Gagnon and Associates
HKH Electronic
Home Hardware North Bay
Honda Cycle
Jack Dougan and Associates
Jean Guy Rubber Boots
Jem Air Conditioning
Kerr Smart Energy Ltd
Kia North Bay
Kleen Flo
Lavigne Tavern
Lefebvres North Bay
Marc's mom
Maslack Supply
Ministry of Natural Resources
Monetville Tavern
North Fast
Orica
Pete's Small Engine
Pricked Tattoo
Respect is Burning
Settlement Woodworks
Shoeless Joes
Skin Illusions
Snap On
Studio 613 Electric Tattoo
Taylor Sheet Metal
The Plaza
The Rock Harley Davidson
Top Glove Boxing Academy
Twisted Doll
Wright Air Systems
Welcome to the FifthAnnual Ride for a Friend. The Ride for a Friend organizing committee is proud to bring you the 5th Annual Hwy64 Charity Poker Run on August 19th, 2017.
This is a game, not a race, played out on the highways of Northeastern Ontario to raise money for local charity. We intend to make the Ride for a Friend Annual Charity Poker Run the premier Poker Run event in Northern Ontario.This year’s recipient is young Noëlville resident, four year old Charlie Lynn Fowler.
The event will begin with registrations taking place at any of our Six "Checkpoints". Then you’re off to enjoy a scenic ride through the French River and West Nipissing areas along beautiful HWY 64. The run will conclude at the Beausejour Inn & Restaurant where participants will be entertained with live music.
All makes and models of motorcycles and classic cars and cruisers are welcome to participate. Money will be raised for Charlie and her family through registration fees and pledges collected by participants.
Join us on Facebook, RSVP the Event, and invite your friends!!
Saturday, August 19th, 2017
Poker Run General:
1. Ride for a Friend is a Poker Run. The objective of participants is to visit at up to 6 checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one. The goal is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. Having the best hand and winning is purely a matter of chance. The event has a time limit (11am-3pm), however the individual participants are not timed.
2. This is not a parade ride. Riders may complete the route at their own pace and in the sequence of their choice. Please view our interactive map to help decide what route you will take. There are 3 route ideas provided to get you started: The Short Run: 82km, 1hr ride; The Long Run: 179km, 2hr 14min ride; The Big Loop: 213km, 2hr 38min ride.
The Details:
1. The action all starts at 11am.
2. Riders can register and begin their run at any of the 6 checkpoints any time after 11am
3. There will be a Road Captain located at Jean Guy Rubber Boots in Sturgeon Falls, to lead riders who would like to ride in a group or don't know their way around the area. Departure at 11:30am. See event staff for details.
4. $20 per hand. Riders or passengers may purchase multiple hands.
5. Poker Run Play Card must be submitted by 3pm at the Beausejour.
Playing your Hand:
1. You’ll draw 1 card at each of the check points. If you draw an identical card as one you are already scored for, the card will be void and you will draw again
2. Hands will be determined by the ‘Poker Run Score Card’ which you’ll receive at your first check point
3. You may purchase additional cards when submitting your Score Card to improve your hand. Prior to drawing your additional card you’ll have to forfeit one card from your existing hand. A maximum of 2 additional cards may be purchased for $5 each.
Destinations:
1. French River Rest Stop @ French River Hwy 69 crossing
2. *Beausejour Inn & Restaurant @ 1527 Hwy 64, Alban
3. Monetville Tavern and Lodge @ 53 Shanty Bay, Monetville
4. Lake Nipissing Narrows @ North of Monetville Hwy 64
5. The Lavigne Tavern, @ Lavigne on Hwy 64
6. Jean Guy Rubber Boots Tavern @ 201 Main Street, Sturgeon Falls
*Final destination and hand submission point is Beausejour in Alban.
View the Interactive Map
1. We’ll be holding a 50/50 draw
2. Door prizes. Keep your ticket stubs!
Entertainment:
1. Local up and comers, CDK will be playing live at the Beausejour between 2pm and 4pm.
2. The fun doesn't stop after the ride or the prize giveaways. Please join us for The Suicide Drifters, an amazing Olunkabilly band, who will be playing music inspired by the 50's and 60's rock and roll with a punk attitude at 9pm
3. Stay with us all night for food, liquid refreshments, our signature boat fire, and live music. Please drink responsibly and better yet - set up your tent and spend the night.
Camping:
1. Join us at the Beausejour where you can sent up your tents for FREE. Porta-John's are on site. Please see event staff for tenting locations.
The Ride for a Friend organizers and hard working volunteers would like to introduce you to Charlie!
Charlie Lynn Fowler was born December 12th, 2012, that’s right 12-12-12. Charlie went to Sick Kids Hospital just before she was 7 month’s old. The visit was prompted by several months of health issues that were mysterious in nature and remained undiagnosed. The health professional at Sick Kids provided several different diagnosis but none were conclusive. Finally about a year later, her Neurologist landed on the conclusion that Charlie suffered from the very rare Aicardi Syndrome.
Aicardi Syndrome has a list of symptoms including brain abnormalities, agenesis of the corpus callosum, seizures, eye abnormalities, global development delays, and usually feeding difficulties resulting in the need of a feeding tube.
Charlie is the middle child of three. She has and older sister and a younger brother and lives at home with two very loving, hard working parents. Dad works long hours outside the home as an Iron Worker, while mom works on the family’s small farm at home where she can be available to care for Charlie. Charlie has been able to start school with the Children’s Treatment Centre but mom is always there when she comes home or has a bad day.
Charlie has a lot of special equipment needs to assist in daily activities around the home. The equipment can be very expensive and cost prohibitive for her family. Charlie’s nurses and therapists have recommended that the family get some respiratory therapy equipment in the home to help Charlie through the cold and flu and general respiratory health.
There are many different pieces of equipment needed for special needs children and it's hard to come by funds to help support them. Again this is where Ride for a Friend comes in. We hope you’ll join us again this year or for the first time to help support a local family. Of course we expect to have a great time doing it!
