May - June 2005

Mark your calendar for this very special event. We will be meeting on Saturday April 30, 2005 at 9:30AM sharp INSIDE the Cathedral of St. John the Divine WITH OUR BIKES for the seventhannual Blessing of the Bikes.

Please note that this event is wonderful but BRIEF — if you are even a little late, you’ll miss it! Please be on time!

Regardless of your religious beliefs (I happen to be Jewish - go figure!) it never hurts to have some extra help in your corner when you’re riding down Fifth Avenue in the rain during rush hour. We’ll be holding this event INSIDE the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. If you’ve never been, this is one of New York’s great cathedrals, if not in the world. (Please no cathedral-ranking e-mail from you architecture experts out there!)

Wear what you like - your usual cycling gear is fine - but if you have cycle shoes with exposed cleats, (and you don’t have rubber cleat covers) you will be asked to take your shoes off and leave them at the door, so you don’t scratch up the floors.

The Reverend will say a few words to us, and then walk among the crowd, sprinkling Holy Water on the cycles while we ring our bike bells. We’ll also have a moment of silence for our fellow cyclists who have died over the past year.

Before you leave we will pass the hat (pass the helmet?) to raise some money for the church. They are not charging us for this event, and they do great work in the neighborhood for the homeless. (Besides, they have electricity and heating bills to pay too, just like everyone else) No matter what your religion, I personally believe that these folks deserve our support. The contribution is entirely voluntary although I would suggest that you kick in as much as you spent during your last snack break while out riding. 100 percent of the money raised will go to the Cathedral. Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Glen Goldstein
bikeblessing@bicycleshows.us