FROM DESK OF DREW PETERSONS::
Hello Everyone
Phil Peterson’s Key West poker Run is “ON HOLD”
Sorry for all the confusion, we have not been able to get the support of the Local Charities and Volunteers this year. We still do not have a permit because the documents and commitments are not finalized, so the Poker Run is “ON HOLD”. A few things that are for sure there will be No Vending and No Bike Show on Duval Street due to lack of local support. I Hope to have an answer in a few weeks about the Poker Run, as soon as I know I will get the word out to the community.
Thank you, for all of your support over the years !
Drew Peterson
Owner/Operator
Peterson’s Harley-Davidson South
19825 South Dixie Hwy
Miami, FL 33157

 

Interesting.......not that I was planning on running it. Just wonder whats up?

 

Allegedly the KW Chamber of Commerce does not want to sponsor the event.

 

Read that to mean that the event hasn't been generating enough revenue for the city and for Peterson's HD to profit from it. As we all know, if it doesn't make dollars it doesn't make sense.

I rode to Key West a couple of times years ago. That ride through the Keys on Rt. 1 (is it still 45 mph?) was frustrating as hell and once you get into Key West it's not big enough to get out of second gear!

 

Yeah.....but I read somewhere that Poker Run/Ride usually has 8-9 thousand participants, that's a lot of hotel rooms, food, and adult beverages.

 

But all those people put stresses on sanitation, sewage and a host of other public utilities the cost of which is borne by local government. Plus, you have to remember that the "daisies" of Duvall St. are intimidated by big, burley bikers and the other locals of the Conch Republic don't care for the rumble of motors and loud exhaust messin' their feng shui at sunset. It causes ripples in their bong water!

 

If they don't host the Poker Run this year you watch them beg Petersons next year when they realize how much money it brought in.

I have never been on the run, I can't think of anything I'd enjoy less than sitting in US1 traffic all the way to and from KW in early September and riding alongside inebriated bikers. The hotel prices are insane too. I like KW but not when there are events going on.

 

For a town that makes its income from Tourists, sounds like their is more to this story than we know. I am down their every Nov. for the Boat Races, Fantasy Fest is the week before, another large event, fishing tournaments all summer long, then you throw in the Cruise ships docking their and putting off 2000-3000 folks for the day or longer. The town is used to large crowds......guess what I am saying are the elected officals of KW sending a message to Bikers?? Or is something else going on?

 

The last couple of times I have been there for the run it was on the lite side. Also if you would check the occupancy rate of the hotels are usually over 90% all year long.also as others have said over priced.but it is supply and demand.