The smell of gasoline was thick in the air during the annual Blessing of the Bikes on Saturday, May 20, at Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso. As bikers coasted into the parking lot, old friends and new riders gathered together to enjoy the sights and sounds of the highly-anticipated event.
Participants spent an hour mingling with fellow riders and then gathered around for the blessing and prayer.
The riders received the blessing from Pastor Phil Willingham of Heartland Full Throttle Church. Willingham read scripture from Psalm 34 and continued with a prayer over the bikes and their riders.
Willingham found his passion for bikes when he was young, and as he grew into his role as a pastor, he began to find ways to share the gospel with the community while providing a welcoming and exciting environment.
Organizing the Blessing of the Bikes turned out to be the best of both worlds for Willingham, who is now able to travel around the Region to spread the word of the Lord while doing what he loves.
“I've always loved motorcycles. I've ridden now for 35-plus years. I always look for ways to turn something to the gospel, and motorcycles were a way of connecting with other bikers. That connection point opens up the door to being able to share the gospel,” Willingham said.
Whether attendees are religious or simply looking for a place to gather together and recharge, the Blessing of the Bikes is an event that several bikers look forward to every year.
“They're all just good people. Today, part of it is sponsored by the church, and church is important to us, so this is a support for them as well. I'm not superstitious about the bikes and the bells and all that stuff, but I love riding and I love the people,” rider Keith Bruxvoort said.
The blessing was followed by a group ride that was sponsored by the Duneland Harley Owners Group (HOG) Chapter. The Duneland Chapter provides activities for local Harley riders to get together and eat, ride, chat, and fundraise for various charities in the area.
There are around 50 active members in the chapter, and Director Leslie Liess believes that the chapter will continue to grow as people become more involved with the events and rides that the chapter hosts.
“The club is what you make it. If you don’t put something in, you’re not going to get much out of it. The more people involved, the better it is,” Liess said.
In addition to the many members of the Duneland HOG Chapter that were in attendance, members of the Hoosierette Chapter of the Women in the Wind program lined up to receive the blessing and spend the sunny afternoon on the road.
Hoosierette Chapter President Valerie Friesema was introduced to riding after her husband inherited a bike. It wasn’t long before Friesema decided she needed a bike of her own.
“It’s cheaper than a psychiatrist’s office. It’s my zen,” Friesema said.
The feeling of zen while riding is a common experience for Harley riders, and as they left the parking lot to begin their group ride, the riders were united in their excitement to kick off the summer season with a blessing and an afternoon of riding and relaxation.
To learn more about Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso, visit https://www.hdvalpo.com/.
