Blizzard Bicycle Club celebrates season with awards banquet, poker ride

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Blizzard Bicycle Club held its annual poker ride and awards banquet last Saturday.

This year’s poker ride took place on the Beatton Park mountain bike trails on Saturday, September 13th, where three riders, Calvin McCracken, Heather McCracken and Sam Keats pedalled through the course.

The aim of the poker ride was to go to several checkpoints, collecting cards at each, to assemble the best possible poker hand by the end of the event.

Following the ride, members gathered at the Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club lodge for the awards banquet, recognizing top riders from across multiple age categories.

2025 award winners included:

• Minime boys (13-14) – Henry Pos
• Cadet boys (15-16) – Arjen Pos
• Senior women (19-29) – Madison McCracken
• Masters A men (30-39) – Kevin Hunt
• Masters A women (30-39) – Theresa Loeseken
• Masters B men (40-49) – Nigel Wray
• Masters B women (40-49) – Heather McCracken
• Masters C men (50-59) – Calvin McCracken
• Masters C women (50-59) – Melanie Fox
• Masters E men (70-79) – Pat Ferris
• Masters F men (80-89) – Richard Wood
• Combination points ladies – Heather McCracken
• Combination points men – Nigel Wray
  

Club member Heather McCracken reflected on another strong season, saying the group welcomed new riders, saw improvement across weekly time trials and had steady participation in road races.

“The Blizzard Bike Club is a great group of riders who enjoy getting out and riding our bikes,” Heather told Energeticcity.ca. “We always learn lots from each other and are open to teaching others who may have questions or feel a bit nervous getting out there to ride with the club.”

Looking ahead, Heather hopes even more riders join next season, noting the club offers something for every level and pace, from high-speed time trials to relaxed ‘coffee cruises,’ where cyclists ride to a coffee shop, have a cup and ride back.

“It’s a slower pace to allow you to chat and visit with other riders,” she explained. “A nice change than always being in race mode.”

According to Heather, the club also plans to send a group of athletes to compete at the Masters Road National Championships in Calgary next summer.

The season isn’t over yet, however, as cyclists will hit the trails for mountain bike events scheduled throughout the rest of the month and October.

More information about the Blizzard Bicycle Club, including upcoming events, is available on the club’s website and Facebook page. Registration for the club is also available on the website.