OREM — The sun shone brilliantly on the chrome-plated Harley, as seven leather-and-denim clad men and women stood in a circle around it in the SCERA Park parking lot, holding hands in a spirit of loving unity as they collectively invoked a blessing of safety and security on a biker and his bike.
"We ask you to bless Randy's tires, Lord," said Bob Stringham, his arm lovingly draped around Randy Conklin's shoulders as Randy stood near his motorcycle. "Bless them that they may be sturdy and strong. Bless them that they may grip the road and keep Randy safe. Whisper in Randy's ear if he forgets to check the tire pressure as often as he should.
"Surround Randy with a bubble of protection, Lord," Stringham continued, as others in the circle nodded their approval of the blessing. "Extend that bubble around his motorcycle, and around his home when he goes home. Randy is retired, Lord, so bless his finances and his health."
Conklin was clearly moved as the blessing ended and the men and women in the circle took turns hugging him and patting his bike. A decal was placed on his taillight that says "I was blessed in '11" and "Jesus Loves You." After a moment of shared affection and appreciation, he started up his Harley and headed for home, as Stringham and the others in the circle moved toward the next biker who wanted a blessing.
"That's sort of the way it is on Biker Sunday," said Stringham, who, along with his wife, Gale, are Utah State Coordinators for the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA). "We meet people on their bikes everywhere we go, and we invite them to come. We have a nice ride and a nice lunch, we have a few moments of worship and then hopefully they'll let us bless their bikes. I always ask them at the start of the blessing, 'What would you like Jesus to do for you today?'
For me," he said, "that's what this is all about: helping bikers get Jesus in their hearts and in their lives."
Stringham is not a minister or a pastor, although there are at least two pastors who ride with the King's Crusaders, the Utah County CMA chapter. One of them is Tom Ramsey, who was recently injured while moving some machinery and won't be able to ride his motorcycle this day, so he will be following the group in his truck. Ramsey is president of the King's Crusaders and is actually retired as a pastor, but today he will be filling in for the group's regular chaplain, who "has another flock he needs to tend today," Ramsey says.
"We'll gather here for a while," he said. "Then we'll have a prayer and head out."
The group plans to ride from Orem to Fairview and up around Scoffield Reservoir, then back to Orem, where a lunch of barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs awaits them. "After lunch we'll have a little worship service — 10 minutes or so, I promise" Ramsey said. "I just want to be encouraging, and to open their hearts to the Lord."
One biker who has already opened his heart to the Lord is Tom Walsh. Tom is going to be the road captain for this day's ride — he and his wife, Linda, drove the route the previous day, just to make sure it would be safe for the group — but it wasn't too long ago that he was riding with a completely different kind of motorcycle club.
"They weren't clubs — they were gangs," he said, simply, directly. "I've been riding since I was 15, and I experienced a whole lot of …" He paused, searching for the right word, then continued: "I was looking at prison time when I met her." He gestured toward Linda. "She was always talking about Jesus. She was different than the other people I knew. There was something special about her, and I wanted to have what she had. She's the one who led me to the Lord."
That was back in 1993. Tom said he's been clean, sober and out of trouble ever since. In his 50s now, he still has the same long hair and beard of his biking past, but his voice and manner are quiet and gentle. "I'm just glad I woke up and smelled the coffee," he said. "Everything is different for me since I turned my life over to Him."
As the appointed hour for the motorcycle ride approaches, other bikers begin arriving at the park, including four members of the Templar Knights, a service-oriented motorcycle club headquartered in Pleasant Grove. Although not specifically faith-based, the Knights are comfortable riding with the King's Crusaders. In fact, Awwen Tysson, who goes by the nickname "Viking," sees an interesting connection between today's Crusaders and Templar Knights and their historical forebears.
"Back then, the Templar Knights protected religious pilgrims," he said. "And we're here today to support the Crusaders in what they are trying to do."
"Plus," Scott Munson ("Tank") added, "we're able to do something we love to do: ride our bikes."
Robin Stintsman isn't specifically affiliated with either the Crusaders or the Knights – and she likes it that way. She has recently moved to Utah from New Jersey (she goes by the name "Jersey Girl"), and she finds that driving with various different motorcycle clubs is "a great way to meet people." Still, she feels a spiritual calling to all of the clubs.
"Even in the clubs that are … you know … less desirable, they know me as a Christian," she said. "I don't preach, but I live a good Christian life. You'd be surprised how many people come up to me and ask me about my beliefs. I always have a chance to minister."
Eventually Tom calls the group together and gives instructions for the day's ride. Then Clancy takes over to offer a brief prayer for the trip. He prays for the safety and well-being of the bikers, and then intones: "Lord God, we turn this ride over to you. We pray that people will see your glory in us as we ride. May you be glorified in us today."
Within minutes the group of about 20 bikers are lined up behind Tom and Linda, and ready to roar onto Orem's State Street. Someone mentions to Tom that they have a beautiful, balmy day for a ride. Tom winks and smiles.
"We pray for it," he says.
EMAIL: jwalker@desnews.com