Two new members of the Contagious Mountain Bike Club were welcomed in the perfect way – with the right hand to beat the pack at the club's Poker Ride Saturday.

"It went really well,” said club president Devon McDiarmid.

First place went to Jamie Hlewka, second to Sara Laxton and third was earned by Neil Ryckman.

The 46 participants were treated to a rare break in the recent rainy weather for the 12-kilometre ride.

"It's probably the driest poker ride we've had,” said McDiarmid.

Usually the club has its first event of the season on trails caked with snow and mud, but this year was an exception.

After the ride, the club hosted a barbecue that was attended by all the poker riders.

"People hung out and were happy,” McDiarmid said, adding that the course got a thumbs up from the participants.

The non-competitive poker run is how the club usually starts its season to give riders a chance to ease into mountain biking again.

"They were happy to start off the season in that manner,” McDiarmid said.

All of the participants purchased a membership on Saturday, and McDiarmid said they expect many more after this Thursday's group ride, which is set to leave at 7 p.m. from the Magnuson Ski parking lot.

"After our first group ride on Thursday, there'll be more,” McDiarmid said.