SOUTH BRANCH WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Event Highlights

2004 "Ride for the River" Motorcycle Poker Run
See also: Event Photos | Event Sponsors

Nearly 150 motorcyclists rode to support the South Branch Watershed Association and its environmental preservation efforts on Saturday May 22 in the second annual Ride for the River Motorcycle Poker Run. Early morning fog gave way to bright sun and 80 degree temperatures. This was a stark contrast to last year's cold and wet weather.

Riders were given the choice of two different routes, each highlighting the beauty of the watershed of the South Branch of the Raritan River. Both routes started at the Spruce Run Reservoir, an important water supply and recreational resource within the South Branch Watershed. The shorter route took riders over 65 miles of roadways through the beautiful and varied segments of the watershed, from the rolling hills of the uplands of the central portion of the watershed through the flat expanse of the lowland floodplains in the south. The route included Clinton, Franklin, Readington, Lebanon Borough and East Amwell in Hunterdon County and Branchburg and Hillsborough Townships in Somerset County. The longer, 90 mile "Highlands" route took riders on a tour of the hilly terrain in the northern part of the watershed near the headwaters of the South Branch Raritan River before swinging south to travel through the lower portions. This route added Glen Gardner, Lebanon Township, Mount Olive, Long Valley and Tewksbury to the Ride. Both routes incorporated many of the scenic "River Roads" and crossed the South Branch Raritan River at multiple, picturesque locations.

The Ride utilized a "poker run" format by having the riders stop at designated locations along each route to collect a playing card. This resulted in each rider having a five card “poker hand” at the end of the Ride. The card stops were located at river crossings on the South Branch Raritan River and two of its tributaries, the Coopalong Creek and the Neshanic River. Cash prizes were awarded to the top two poker hands. Additional prizes were awarded to another ten riders. Both routes ended at Williams Harley Davidson - Buell on Route 22 in Lebanon.

Williams Harley Davidson was the platinum sponsor for the event with a donation of $1,000 to the South Branch Watershed Association. SBWA Executive Director, Don Einhorn presented Bobby DiFazio, owner of Williams Harley Davidson with a print depicting a motorcyclist with a bag of golf clubs strapped to his back in appreciation for Mr. DiFazio’s support of the event.

The event raised $20,000 for the non-profit Watershed Association. SBWA advocates for water conservation and the preservation of the natural resources of the South Branch Raritan River and its watershed. The geographic area of the watershed spans 276 square miles in Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset Counties. SBWA programs provide environmental education to schools, land use professionals, municipal officials and the general public. Other SBWA programs include municipal land use planning assistance to promote low impact development and the preservation of critical resources; biological sampling to monitor the health of the South Branch and its tributaries; research and guidance on stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution issues; well testing programs; and the Hunterdon County Green Table, a forum dedicated to exploring new conservation ideas and initiatives. SBWA partners with other non-profit organizations and governmental entities on large scale projects to effectuate water resource protection and preservation throughout the larger Raritan River Basin, a source of potable water to more than 1.2 million New Jersey residents and businesses. SBWA is an active participant in the Raritan Highlands Compact and the Raritan Basin Alliance, and is involved in land use planning efforts in Morris, Hunterdon and Somerset Counties.

Mr. Einhorn stated that the event was a tremendous success. "We greatly appreciate the support of the participants and the sponsors of the Ride. We are also grateful for the efforts of the volunteers who worked so hard to make this event a success. They will enable us to continue our preservation programs and advocate for the protection of the river and its watershed, a resource that we should all be proud of. We're looking forward to the third Annual Ride for the River in 2005."

The Ride for the River was supported by over fifty corporate and individual sponsors (see below).