Blessed Be Thy Bicycle: New York Riders Roll Into Church

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http://www.npr.org/2014/05/05/309653656/blessed-be-thy-bicycle-new-york-riders-roll-into-church

by ALISA ROTH
May 05, 2014 3:37 AM ET


Rev. Julia Whitworth leads the 16th Annual Blessing of the Bikes at Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine on Saturday in New York City.
Eric Thayer/Getty Images

It looked like some kind of bizarre wedding procession: Instead of flowers, participants held bicycles. Music played as they walked solemnly down the aisle toward the altar in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City on Saturday.

There were fancy bikes tricked out with neon-colored tires, folding bikes, bikes laden with saddle bags. One woman brought a bike-share bicycle.

The event took place a day ahead of the Five Boro Bike Tour, which is sort of like the New York Marathon on wheels. For the last 16 years, cyclists have been coming to the church to get blessed for the big ride, and for the rest of the year.

New York City has become much more bike-friendly in the last few years. But between the pot holes and the traffic, these riders could use some help.

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