Bike blessings celebrate another rite of summer

Summer may have started right on schedule this weekend, but it came as riding season stalled while the region struggled to stay safe during this spring’s pandemic.

After months of delays and the easing of coronavirus-related restrictions, motorcycles are ready to hit the road. Bikers throughout the area gathered at two local events this weekend to have their rides blessed.

“We hope we have some safety while we are riding, so we want to be blessed,” said Dan Rusbosin of Ligonier, who along with his wife, Tammy, and niece Danielle were among the 100 riders who attended the annual Blessing of the Bikes on Sunday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Latrobe.

The Rev. Dan Mahoney prayed for their safety and along with Deacon Mike Orange walked through aisles of parked motorcycles and sprinkled riders and bikes with holy water during the brief ceremony.

Mahoney conducted his last Blessing of the Bikes on Sunday. He’s set to retire in early July.

“Our message is drive carefully,” Mahoney said.

Church member Herb Nicholson organized the event, which Holy Family has held for 16 years. This year’s blessing was originally to be conducted the weekend after Memorial Day but was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We want to tell (the bikers) to remember to pray. This is our way to reach out to people,” Nicholson said.

Motorcyclists know the risks.

As bikes were being blessed Sunday morning, a motorcyclist was injured in a crash on Route 31 in Donegal Township when it collided with a Jeep. According to a county 911 dispatcher, one person was flown to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnston. Route 31 was closed for several hours between Exit 91 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 711.

Ross Howard, a member of the Latrobe Hogs, attended a similar Blessing of the Bikes on Saturday at New Stanton Assembly of God, where about 100 bikers gathered.

“We’re Christians and we travel across the country. We have faith in God that we won’t get hurt. It’s a beautiful hobby,” Howard said.

The coronavirus caused Assembly of God to put the brakes on the event’s annual hog roast.

“This year, it’s a ‘Dawg Roast’, we’re serving hot dogs, chips and drinks,” said the Rev. Ron Ingelido, who blessed not only the bikes but the riders as well. “They get on those bikes every day, and that’s their life. They want to know God cares about them.”

Annette Setlock, her husband, Joe, and brother Brian Culley made it to the Latrobe blessing just as it began after dealing with a dead battery. They are gearing up for a ride to South Dakota in August for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

“We’ve been coming here (to Latrobe) for the last 10 to 15 years. It’s a nice little blessing,” Culley said.