Mills River – Starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2023, on the church grounds, Mills River Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Blessing of the Bikes for motorbikes, bicycles, and children’s tricycles.
At 10:30 a.m., bikers will gather in the church’s rear parking lot for the first-ever “Blessing of the Bikes” ceremony. The first one hundred persons to sign up will receive free personalized key chains. There will be 50/50 drawings, a full lunch for $5, plus various games and activities. At 11:30 a.m., Rev. Megan McMillan, pastor of Mills River Presbyterian Church, will offer the formal blessing.
Reverend McMillan has told us that the custom of blessing motorcycles for safe passage dates back almost a century. Western North Carolina is home to some of the state’s most scenic byways, so it only seems right that we extend this boon to cyclists. We care about the safety of all cyclists, whether they’re riding a motorcycle, a mountain bike, a road bike, or a kiddy bike. That’s why anybody in the region is welcome to join us for this unique blessing.
While riding a bike through the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains is a popular activity, tourists should be aware of the risks they face when out on the open road. The idea for the blessing was proposed by a few motorcycle and road bicycle riding members of Mills River Presbyterian Church.
“Once the blessing was brought up, it was such a natural fit for our community that we immediately started planning it,” McMillan adds. People frequently use our church as a starting point for bike rides and a convenient place to park their cars. Riders of two-wheeled vehicles are a common sight in Mills River. Now is the time to bring these individuals together and give them the blessing of protection they so rightfully deserve.
If you’re driving, please park in the cemetery next to the Mills River Fire Department on School House Road. At number 10, Presbyterian Church Road, there is a back parking area where they can leave their bicycles. Bikers with motorcycles should use the rear parking lot. Get in touch with 828-891-7101 if you need any help.