Blizzard Bicycle Club hosts annual awards night, poker ride

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Blizzard Bicycle Club hosted its annual awards night and poker ride at Beatton Park last Saturday.

Eleven cyclists competed in the poker ride course through the Beatton Park trails, and almost all participants finished with all of their components. Landis Dell was forced to jog his bike across the finish line after a mechanical issue caused him to lose a crankset off his bicycle. 

After missing the first two stations and having to circle back, Ezra and Benaiah Jarnagin finished the poker ride course in record time. They completed the course for a second time in order to try and get a better poker hand than the first run. 

Some club members opted to walk a different course for the poker ride. Cyclists Ard Hoogenboom, Ezra, Benaiah, Truman and, Stella Jarnagin, and Hunter Sipe also had a go at the walking course to get another chance at a poker hand. 

Hunter Sipe put together the winning hand for the top prize of the poker ride. 

After the poker ride, club members headed over to the Whiskey Jack Ski Lodge for a potluck dinner and awards night. 

The awards were given to riders who raced in events throughout the season and achieved the highest number of points.

2023 Blizzard Bicycle Club awards winners:

• Peewee Boys (11-12) –  Hunter LeClerc
• Peewee Girls (11-12) – Grace Gamble
• Minime Boys (13-14) – Ezra Jarnagin
• Cadet Boys (15-16) – Benaiah Jarnagin
• Junior Boys (17-18) – Matthew Mitchel
• Junior Girls (17-18) – Madison McCracken/Stella Jarnagin
• Senior Men (19-29) – Melvin Jarnagin/LT McDonell/Kevin Hunt
• Masters A Men (30-39) – Sean Dignan
• Masters B Men (40-49) – Nigel Wray
• Masters B Women (40-49) – Kristine Bock
• Masters C Men (50-59) – Ard Hoogenboom
• Masters D Men (60-69) – Rob Sipe
• Masters E Men (70-79)- Sam Keats
• Masters F Men (80-89) – Richard Wood
• Combine Cup Men – Nigel Wray
• Combine Cup Women – Kristine Bock

Club President Pat Ferris says the poker ride and awards night was a fun event and shows that the Peace region is an excellent riding environment for cyclists. 

“The club started in 1982, and 41 years later, the club is still alive,” said Ferris. 

“I think that really bodes well for cycling in the region. The road system is good, and we have two excellent mountain bike circuits.”

The club’s season hasn’t come to a wrap just yet, cyclists will hit the trails for mountain bike events scheduled throughout October. 

More information about the club or upcoming races and events can be found on the Blizzard Bicycle Club website and Facebook page.