Pastor plans ‘blessing of the bikes’

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Tom Fedor⁄The Gazette The Rev. Andrea Ernest poses with her 1980 Harley Davidson Sportster outside Brunswick’s Bethany Lutheran Church.

The avid biker said she is unsure how many people will attend her first ‘‘Blessing of the Bikes” ceremony, set for 1 p.m., Sunday, at the MARC station parking lot in Brunswick, but she has heard positive feedback from some already.

‘‘I’ve had a lot of people say, ‘Oh that’s really cool,’ or ‘That’s really fun,’” Ernest said.

The blessing will be followed by a scenic ride from Brunswick toward Boonsboro, ending in Frederick at the Bob Evans Restaurant on U.S. Route 40.

‘‘For people who love to ride, it’s a real special part of their lives,” Ernest said. ‘‘[We plan] to ask for God’s blessing for safety and care for all those who are sharing in this adventure ... It’s really a celebration.”

Ernest, her husband, Mark, and parishioner Mark Kramer of Knoxville planned the blessing after they saw a need for such a gathering in the Brunswick area.

Kramer, owner of a Harley Davidson Heritage Softtail Classic two-seater, has been biking for more than 30 years. He has attended similar events, including Gettysburg Bike Week with his wife, Marianne.

If you go 1 p.m., Sunday, at the MARC station parking lot, Brunswick Ride from Brunswick to Frederick follows Contact Ernest at 301-834-7372 or AJErnest@aol.com.

He helped organize the Brunswick event to both unite the local biker community and promote motorcycle safety. He hopes it will snowball into a large-scale annual gathering.

Kramer said his passion for ‘‘the open road and feeling the sunshine on your face” runs in his family. His 73-year-old father continues to kick-start a 1973 Harley Sportster and his grandfather once served as a motorcycle-mounted police officer.

Ernest will lead the blessing of motorcycles Sunday, with prayers for safety on the roads and thanksgiving for the recreation. Organizers will tout biker safety advice such as the advantages of wearing full-shield helmets and state safety laws.

Ernest, who purchased her classic 1980 Harley Sportster from Kramer, said for the last 11 years she’s enjoyed the sense of solitude her cruises provide.

‘‘There’s nothing like the feeling of the freedom of being on a bike,” she said. ‘‘It’s a wonderful way to enjoy creation and nature. ... You’re out there with the wind blowing. It’s very peaceful.”