Blessing of the Bikes - Montreal

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Category: QC Motorcycle Events

Published on Thursday, 27 August 2009 07:57

Written by Dar

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by Darlene Harrison aka Diva Dar

For most riders the beginning of the riding
season is when the snow has melted, the weather
is warmer and the sun is shining, which
depending on where you live can be as early as
March or as late as June in some cases this year.
For others, they say the riding season starts after
the Salon De La Moto which is held in February.
BUT there are those who say the season starts
WITH the Blessing Of The Bikes !!! This event
takes place on a Sunday in May, and this year
was held on the last Sunday of the month, May
31, 2009.


This is a tradition that has been going on for many
years at the world reknown St. Jospeh’s Oratory,
situated here in Montreal. Anyone travelling to
Montreal for the highways can always tell when
they are near becasue the Oratory sits atop a
mountain, and the skyline shows the peak of the
Oratory. It has helped many weary travellers know
that home is just a few more kilometres away.
Over the years, the attendance has increased due
to word of mouth. This year, as with the Salon De
La Moto, many were wondering how it would be
attended due to increases in license plates and
insurance for motorcycles. But I think it is safe to
say that the bikers outdid themselves with their
attendance at the Bless Of The Motorcycles just
like they did for the Salon De La Moto.
Usually the bikes use one or two of the front
parking lots but this year ALL the four front
parking lots were filled AND tour buses, long with
cars with visitors had to be shown where to park
their vehicles in the back.

It was phenomenal to see all these bikes. Talk
about an Outdoor Motorcycle Show !!
It was estimated on the television later that night,
that there were approximately 5 to 7 THOUSAND
bikes...the largest attendance ever to date.
There were Harleys, Suzukis, Hondas, BMWs and
all with their own individual paint scheme.

Of course there were those that had modifieed
exhaust systems, and detailed paint that would
make Da Vinci stop and stare !!!!

There were booths collecting Toys For Tots, as is
also a usual for this event and of course what is
a Bike gathering without music !!!!! Tunes were
blasting while the sun shone and everyone drank
coffee, cus it was bloody chilly that morning BUT
the sun kept right on shining on us. Everyone had
themselves a great time getting acquainted with
everyone else, and sharing biker stories.
Then over the loud speaker, the priest delivered
his Blessing to all, and afterwards reminded all
the new comers to stay with their bikes as he
would be walking around to individually bless
each biker and bike. This is the part that takes
forever each year due to the increased numbers.
But it is amazing how we all stay and wait our
turns, patiently. A gentleman told me how he had
been attending for the last 10 years and how he
had many close calls. He swears that Brother
Andre, mentor and well known for St. Joseph’s
Oratory, watches over us bikers. For many, this
has more meaning than any church service, and
carries us along the highways as we ride.
And , last but not least.......parked across the
street waiting for all of us to leave, was of course,
Montreal’s Finest......the Piggy Patrol...aka
SPVM....the police. As usual, they claimed to be
helping with the traffic, but we all know they were
waiting to hear us all leave St. Joseph’s Oratory.

I do have to admit however, that having them help
us through the main intersections was helpful.
Especially when you consider that we were rider
in packs and there are those ignorant car drivers
who like nothing better than to see how many
bikes they can overtake.

Till next time, KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN
AND THE SHINY SIDE UP !!!!!!!

Diva Dar - Ontario Chrome Diva Montreal Contact
www.ontariochromedivas.com

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