One man's tedious commute is another's relaxing weekend cruise.

That's the thought organizers of this weekend's Rally on the River believe will help attract out-of-town motorcycle enthusiasts.

Anyone who is trying to actually get somewhere in a hurry will be among the first to say traveling the highways and byways of rural Lawrence County can be frustrating.

But if you aren't in a hurry, the scenery is entirely different, says Thomas Cox, a Decatur motorcyclist who is organizing the poker runs for the Rally.

"It's going to be some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States," Cox said. "This ride we're going on will show rural southern Ohio. You'll see little towns, friendly people.

"You're going to see some of where the Amish live," he said. "It'll be a good experience for everyone, especially the out-of-towners Š they're going to find out Ironton's a friendly town."

The poker runs are only two parts of the three-day event, scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But for motorcyclists, they are a perfect way to get out and enjoy their hobby and the fellowship of other enthusiasts, Cox said.

"It's just a way to loosen up, have some simple fun and enjoy some beautiful scenery," he said.

Friday evening's poker run will be a bar-hop run including stops at the Laidback, Frogtown, Auger Inn, Shenanigan's and the VFW. At each stop participants will receive an arm band that will be required to earn a poker hand at the conclusion of the run. Prizes will be given for the best and worst hands, Cox said.

A theme of the Rally will be saluting veterans with two special events on Saturday.

First, as the Saturday poker run begins shortly after 1 p.m., the group will stop at the Lawrence County Courthouse for a brief ceremony.

The ceremony will feature Mayor John Elam providing brief comments, former Hanging Rock Mayor Wayne Pennington singing the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute in honor of past and present veterans.

"The bike parade Saturday before we leave on the run is going to be beautiful," Cox said. "It's for the veterans and a salute to the soldiers fighting today. This is one of the few countries in the world where we can gather together when we want."

"All veterans and their families are invited," he said. "If you don't have a bike, at least line the street and see what this is about."

Saturday's poker run will take participants on a route out State Route 93 to Oak Hill, across State Route 279 to the CH&D Road to State Route 233 to State Route 141. Participants will travel back to Ironton on State Route 141, continue on U.S. 52 into Coal Grove and down 3rd Street.

Later Saturday, the Rally will feature a Parade of Heroes. The event will feature veterans and current and former emergency workers leading the motorcyclists down 3rd Street into downtown.