NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Aug. 14.
FORKS — A sense of adventure, a love of motorcycles and a readiness to try something new will be on display at the seventh annual Rainforest Run today, Saturday and Sunday.
The Rainforest Run offers a Poker Run, games, music, comradeship, relaxation or adventure at the Cycle Camp campground, 1071 Mora Road.
“It’s mostly a motorcycle party. We don’t like to tell people what to do,” said Bob Wishon, owner of Cycle Camp and founder of the Rainforest Run.
Participants come from all walks of life: from law enforcement officers to hippies and from bankers to loggers, Wishon said.
They come together over their love for motorcycles, their love for the road and to enjoy a relaxing weekend, he said.
Camp sites
Motorcyclists can camp for free at Cycle Camp, where all events take place or begin.
There are two choices for camp sites: forested, shady sites, or sunny places in a meadow, Wishon said.
Camp sites are first-come, first-served, with as many as 300 expected to attend the three-day event, he said.
Wishon said an additional 200 may arrive for a day visit Saturday for the Poker Run and other Saturday activities.
Daily events are optional and take place as participants feel like attending, Wishon said.
Poker Run
There is no set route or start time for the Poker Run, only five destinations where participants collect playing cards.
The winner is determined by who gets the best hand.
The only rule is that poker runners cannot begin before 10 a.m., and all cards must be collected by those who want to take part before the 5 p.m. poker awards ceremony.
Rainforest Run
Similarly, the Rainforest Run, in which bikers ride to the Hoh Rain Forest, takes place when — or if — a group makes the decision to make the trip, Wishon said.
Many bikers have had enough of the road in traveling to Forks, while others are ready for more adventures, he said.
Wishon said typically about 60 bikers take part in the Rainforest Run.
Music
Music begins at 6 p.m. today and Saturday.
This evening will open with Linda Waterfall, featuring performances by Trinity Mills, an 11-year-old with an amazing voice, Wishon said.
They will be followed by Twice Baked, a band from Portland, Ore.
On Saturday, How Bout Tuesday opens the stage at 6 p.m., followed by the Fat Chance Band and the Jim Basnight Band.
Wishon said the camp is open to all comers and is child-friendly — except for some “racy” adults-only shows and games Saturday night.
The Miss Rainforest Run contest is an annual event, but other contests held in the past, including the Man Boob Contest and a tattoo contest, are up to the participants, Wishon said.
Past events may be repeated, or there may be new and imaginative ideas for this year’s contests, he said.
Rainforest Run T-shirts and pins will be available at 9 a.m. Sunday before participants break camp, he said.
For more information, see www.rainforestrun.com.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
