CAPTION: Bishop Mike blessed each of the bikers by sprinkling holy water over their bikes
Blessing of the Bikes Makes a Joyful Noise at Exeter Cathedral
Dozens of motorcyclists from across the South West gathered outside Exeter Cathedral on Sunday 10 May for its first ever Blessing of the Bikes ceremony.
The event included choral Evensong inside the Cathedral, which a number of bikers attended.
It was also livestreamed onto a giant screen outside on Cathedral Green.
The event was organised by Father Matthew Cashmore, an Anglican priest and biker from Devon.
Abraham Saxon is a former chorister who brought his motorbike to the service
He said afterwards “It was amazing hearing all the bikes revving as they were leaving, making a joyful noise, but not necessarily the noise you would expect from the Cathedral.
“I was astonished how many people came into the Cathedral. It was beautiful to have the normal congregation mingling with the bikers and inviting them in.
“Christians and bikers are very similar in the way we just put our arms around people and pull people in, and that was in practice today.”
After the service the Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison processed out of the Cathedral along with the choir, to pray for the bikers and bless them by sprinkling Holy water on each of their bikes in turn.
The bikers then revved-up en masse before heading for home.
Some of the bikers watched the service being livestreamed outside
Bishop Mike said: “We’ve been been blessing the bikes and asking for God’s protection over the bikers and blessing their community, which is a wonderful one and very hospitable to one another.”
Canon Cate Edmonds, who leads on outreach and mission for Exeter Cathedral, said “This was a really fantastic mission opportunity. It was a joy to be able to open to a different section of the community.
“We had people that came from as far away as Bath and Gloucester. It almost felt like a carnival. What was wonderful was the sense of community they had with us and each other.
“It was moving to see how people wanted their bikes blessed and wanted themselves to be blessed. I think God just accepts everyone as they are.”
As well as organising the biker event, Father Cashmore is also planning to do an 8000-mile motorbike pilgrimage this year, visiting churches and shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary across Europe.
The trip is for a book commissioned by Bloomsbury publishing called Two Holy Bikers, due to be published in October 2027.
