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Message started by IslandRoad on 10/12/17 at 18:20:43

Title: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 10/12/17 at 18:20:43

Every year here in Australia we have an event called the 'Blessing of the Bikes'. A well known but unconventional Catholic priest called Father Bob blesses the bikes as they ride through an arch. (I'm pretty sure the Catholic Church was relieved when he retired! Because he is unconventional AND extremely loved by all).

I went last year when it was held in its traditional location in Mirboo North (about and hour and a half ride from my home). There were 6000 bikes there - I didn't see one Savage/S40!

This year the event had moved to San Remo, 15 minutes up the road from me ;D. They are expecting 8000 bikes.

There were so many stand-out bikes last year, I didn't know where to look. The attached image is of one that 'spoke to me' ... and how about that Indian in the background?!

It's on tomorrow, me and my mate are gonna ride up the road to check it out 8-)

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by JLC on 10/12/17 at 18:40:21

That's great! Somebody ought to start that here in the US.

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by verslagen1 on 10/12/17 at 19:00:46

we have our own reverend ranch who blesses our bikes.

right now he's blessing the grill...

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by MMRanch on 10/12/17 at 19:19:49

I'm glad you posted this information .

Our CMAUSA Chapter and most of the area chapters meet in Chattanooga every spring for a Blessing of the Bikes.
Yea , at River Front Park , first Saturday of April. It seems like most of the bikes in Chattanooga show-up . Folks come and go all morning but I don't suspect the total number is over 1000 , including the CMAUSA groups .
The Chattanooga Chapter sets up tables and brings donuts and coffee/hot chocolate , then later switches to hot-dogs and chips. All the other chapters help with serving and blessing bikes/riders as the day wears on.
Seems like we could take a lesson from the way ya'll run the event ! I like the idea of passing under the arch . :)

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by sjaskow - FSO on 10/13/17 at 10:26:58

The Victory is a Vegas. I can't tell what year but there are quite a few people from down under who post on the Victory sites I read that have Victory products. Pity Polaris killed them.

The Indian appears to be a Scout. They're nice too but I'd rather have the Vegas. ;)

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 10/13/17 at 22:33:17

Just got back from today's Blessing of the Bikes. It was difficult to get a single photo that represented the event. This is the best I could do. It's literally a sample!

http://https://i.imgur.com/MHAR6W2.jpg

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 10/13/17 at 22:35:36

637A71637B7F67100 wrote:

Thanks for the info mate ;)

A couple more caught my eye today. I don't know why, because I would never buy one .... maybe just because 90% of the bikes there were Harley's! ... and these aren't 8-)

http://https://i.imgur.com/DDrsXGH.jpg

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 10/13/17 at 22:36:47

No Savages there, as far as I could tell. And I could only find one Thumper (apart from a Postie Bike.)

http://https://i.imgur.com/A3aXtDO.jpg

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by Dave on 10/14/17 at 03:29:48

There sure is a lot of black and chrome in that group photo!

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 10/14/17 at 04:11:44

I don't know about the States, but here in Australia, black seems to be the go-to color for Harley riders. If not, then it's something right out there like a custom, metallic orange.

Yamaha V-Star riders seem to enjoy colors more around here.

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by jcstokes on 10/14/17 at 12:25:06

Given the alleged reliability issues with some Harleys, maybe they need blessing.

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 10/14/17 at 13:13:48

6F6676716A6E6076050 wrote:

Given the alleged reliability issues with some Harleys, maybe they need blessing.

Haha ... someone had to 'go there'! Lol. I've seen forums where you'd start a flame-war with that kind of talk. People on here ... not so much 8-)

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by MMRanch on 10/14/17 at 17:36:44

I've got an 883 fuel injected , rubber mounted 2007 Sportster w/40,000 ish miles on it . It would be a keeper if I had not found a Guzzi does everything the Sportster does @ 150 lbs lighter. [ch128521]

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 10/14/17 at 19:16:43

716371636E7D727F743C0 wrote:

weight-to-power is way up on my list too.

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by MMRanch on 10/14/17 at 21:15:48

Ya'll's Blessing of the Bikes looks like a FUN Event ! That many Bikers together in one place swapping stories and such would have me going back year after year ! 8-)

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 10/14/17 at 21:22:15

I just read it's been confirmed there were 12,000 people there!!

It is a great event. It's like a "Show n Shine" without the registration.

Great atmosphere :)

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 12/09/17 at 21:26:59

Just thought I'd revisit this thread. So it turned out there were 12,000 bikes at the new location. A couple of big convoys made their way down here. The guy who organises the event asked me if he could use one of my photos in a FB post about the event. We got talking, and I may be designing the logo for next year's event.

As a new rider, one of the things I am most impressed by is the camaraderie among bikers ... I really had no idea. It is a true joy of life: everything from nodding to fellow riders on the rode, through chatting with fellow bikers at cafes, to finding a job because I needed help with carb tuning!

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by MMRanch on 12/09/17 at 22:16:18

I like them "Biker Fellers" ! ;) Met a grumpy one once but found out he was suffering from back pain something aufful and he wasn't ornry he was just in pain . We still got-along just fine. :) His back pain wasn't from ridding , it was do to working Labor Jobs all his life .

I've been trying to figure how to put up an "Arch" to ride under ever since I saw the one ya'll do ... Great Idea !! 8-)

Title: Re: 'Blessing of the Bikes'
Post by IslandRoad on 12/09/17 at 23:39:36

Speaking of 'grumpy old bikers' reminds me of two guys I've met recently. I used to wonder, why would anyone ride a trike?! One guy had a stroke, he had the best stories!, and his balance was shot. The other guy hit a tree on a country road when his Harley slid out on a country road! he was almost 70. I met him again one day and asked how's the leg was going - "The Doc said it's not healing - it's just age".

Now I understand why people would ride a trike!

BTW, the term 'arch' is used loosely. It's a pine frame with a hand-painted fascia ;)

It's the spirit that counts!

For what it's worth, I didn't ride though the arch, for fear of catching on fire!!