Hogs, Fat Boys blessed to ride in New London

Off the Wire
General News

New London, Conn. —
John Flatley opened the throttle on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and sent a guttural roar ripping through the hazy afternoon sky.

The cool air at Ocean Beach Park was peppered with barking exhausts Sunday as more than 350 motorcycles rolled past the Rev. Michel Belt and were blessed with holy water.

“You can’t get on the road without getting the bike blessed,” said Flatley, a Groton resident.

Hundreds of riders gathered for the 15th annual Connecticut Bike Blessing, also the fourth annual season kickoff for the 200-member, 70-year-old New London Motorcycle Club.

Over the past three years, the event has raised more than $2,500 for the New London-based Covenant Shelter, a 35-bed emergency residential shelter.

Club President Jim Moran said the club does several charity events throughout the year, but the Blessing of the Bikes is the biggest.

In past years, he said, the event has seen as many as 900 motorcycles, but chilly and overcast weather may have affected this year’s turnout. Still, he said, this year’s event could raise as much as $1,000.

“The guys and girls of the club are just great,” said Belt, of St. James Episcopal Church in New London. Belt has performed the Blessing of the Bikes for the past eight years.

“The blessing is a sign of God’s presence and that he is watching over everyone as they enjoy their pastime and the beauty of God’s creation,” he said. “So many people ignore the fact that they’re our neighbors and what they try to do for the community as a whole.”

For Flatley and passenger Maddalena Scrivano, of Niantic, the gathering was a good chance to go for a ride and see friends.

“I like the fresh air, the sense of openness and the camaraderie,” Flatley said. “Usually the same people, the same core come out, and everyone just gets together.”