An approximately 10-km ride along Schwatka Lake all boiled down to five cards for mountain bikers in Saturday's poker ride.

Nearly 40 riders were registered for the event, which was put on by the Contagious Mountain Bike Club. This was the organization's first trail competition of the 2009 season.

The rules were pretty simple. Riders started by the Schwatka Lake boat launch area and were required to stop at four different checkpoints on the trail. A single card was given out at each checkpoint and a mountain biker was handed one more at the finish line.

The five cards determined a winner, regardless of finishing time.

Dave Pharand ended up with the top hand of the day, finishing with a jack high straight. He walked away with $82.

"I don't really play cards, I don't gamble, but it was just luck," he said. "It was pretty funny."

Race organizers wanted to use an area they knew would be clear of snow. The group ended up running the course along the Yukon river trail and a neighboring ski trail.

Pharand said it was an easy and enjoyable course.

"There wasn't too much of a climb," he said. "The trails were in really good shape. I think the trail could have been ridden by any level of mountain biker.

"Even beginner riders would have enjoyed the trail."

Saturday's race was more of a social outing for Pharand, centered more on having an enjoyable time and riding with a group of friends rather than attempting to finish first.

"I competed pretty much against myself," he said. "I don't really get into expecting first place or anything like that. There is a lot of really committed, excellent riders in town, so I know if I just race against my abilities then I am usually happy with the outcome."

He said he didn't even look at the cards until the race was over. Despite a jack-high straight being a good hand, Pharand wasn't sure if it would be enough to win.

He said he bought some beer with a portion of the prize money and celebrated later that night with some friends.

"We just sat around and had a victory brew," Pharand said. "The money I have spent on bikes I think that (the poker ride) money will just go right back in my pocket."

Pharand said winning the poker ride was a great way to start season and is looking forward to some of the mountain biking club's downhill races that are on the schedule.

Contagious holds a number of different races throughout the riding season, including social rides, cross-country and downhill competitions.

The group's first Thursday event is scheduled for this week. Thursday's race begins at 7:30 p.m. and is being held at Schwatka Lake in the Magnuson parking lot.

Two of the bigger races are the 24 Hours of Light Mountain Bike Festival, starting at Mount McIntyre on June 27-28 and Sima Slam Fest. Sima Slam Fest is scheduled to run from July 31 through August 2 at Mount Sima.

Norm Curzon was the runner up on Saturday with three 10s. Curzon, who won $50, said he had a pair of 10s by the second checkpoint.

"By the fourth checkpoint I had three 10s and I was thinking ‘not bad,' and when I came to the finish I thought ‘what's the odds that I'm going to have four?' But it didn't quite work out," he said. "I don't usually consider myself lucky when it comes to cards."

Despite coming up short, Curzon said he wasn't disappointed, adding he was surprised about winning anything.

More information about Contagious Mountain Bike Club can be found at www.cmbcyukon.ca.