Northeast Kansas isn’t exactly Sturgis, but it may feel like the iconic motorcycle haven this weekend. At least in the philanthropic sense, as two charitable motorcycle rallies are set for this weekend: ¢ Saturday’s sixth-annual Poker Run, organized by the Kansas Department of Transportation, will go for 105 miles (map .pdf) from Topeka to Perry, Oskaloosa and Holton before heading back into Topeka, stopping at Reed’s Ringside in north Topeka. ¢ Sunday’s 2008 March of Dimes Bikers for Babies, an event expected to draw more than 8,000 riders to Kansas Speedway for a 79-mile ride (map, .pdf) that will include stretches through the edge of North Lawrence and into McLouth, Tonganoxie and Kansas City, Kan. Organizers are counting on participants to pump plenty of money into worthwhile causes. Proceeds from Saturday’s ride – coming from $10 donations per rider – will go to the United Way of Greater Topeka. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at KDOT’s parking lot at the northwest corner of the Interstate 70 interchange with Gage Boulevard, where the rally will begin at 11 a.m. Participants in Sunday’s ride will pay either $35 ahead of time or $40 on rally day to benefit the March of Dimes and its local efforts to help improve the health of babies, especially those born prematurely. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sunday at the speedway in Kansas City, Kan.; the ride begins at 9:30 a.m. and is expected to last until noon. To participate or for more information, visit www.bikersforbabiesks.org.