Blessed be the bikers

Annual gathering a chance for biking brothers and sisters to renew bonds, forge new friendships and honour those who are gone

TRURO, N. S. – For Stephen Stewart, biking means being part of a family.

It was his love of family that drew him to the Blessing of the Bikes ceremony in Victoria Park Saturday, where motorcycle enthusiasts caught up with old friends and bowed their heads in prayer for a safe summer of riding.

“It’s a way of life,” said Stewart, from New Glasgow. “It doesn’t matter where you go, the biker community looks after each other. You won’t see a biker leaving someone stranded on the side of the road. As I say, it’s one great big brotherhood.”

It was a brotherhood Stewart first joined when he was only 12 years old, starting off on small dirt bikes and finally graduating to his current Yamaha Midnight Venture.

However, while Stewart enjoyed a day with his extended biker family, his motorcycle was not with him as it is currently undergoing repairs.

In a typical season, Stewart and his wife travel up to 26,000 km, using their bike to haul a camper trailer on weekends away, or attending motorcycle events across the Atlantic provinces and as far away as Ontario.

Unlike many other bikers in Truro on May 4, Stewart is not affiliated with any club.

However, one club present at the Blessing of the Bikes was Bikers Against Child Abuse. They support children by attending court cases and providing security, but they do not advocate revenge against abusers themselves.

One new member was ‘ Toes’, who went only by his road name in keeping with BACA’S rules, but was passionate about helping abused children heal.

“It’s just the look … the smile on their face – that’s all you need,” said Toes. “It’s a bunch of brotherhoods. We stick together, so it just makes me feel good. It’s a good cause.”

Event organizer David Dewolfe said just over 200 motorcyclists came to this year’s Blessing of the Bikes. Poor weather likely deterred some, but previous years have seen nearly 3,000 attend the ceremony in Victoria Park.

Prayers for a safe and fun riding season were read by representatives of both the Baha’i and Christian faiths. Truro Mayor Bill Mills and local MLA Lenore Zann also spoke at the event.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Roughly 200 bikers from across Nova Scotia attended the Blessing of the Bikes ceremony in Truro, a smaller turnout than some previous years.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Fully suited up in his helmet and goggles, a motorcyclist prepares to leave Victoria Park after the annual Blessing of the Bikes ceremony on May 4.

FRAM DINSHAW/ TRURO NEWS Bikers from different clubs, as well as those with no affiliation, gathered at the ceremony in Truro Saturday.

FRAM DINSHAW/ TRURO NEWS Two bikers rev their engines s they prepare to depart Victoria Park.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Biker Stephen Stewart, right, came from New Glasgow for the Blessing of the Bikes ceremony in Victoria Park on May 4.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Two dismounted bikers enjoyed a relaxed stroll in Victoria Park as the Blessing of the Bikes ceremony got underway.