Featured Biking Bishop's Biking Mission Fund

So when all my posts vaporised it took out my ride report about the Easter Saturday Rideout that I took part in last year. Since the next BBBMF Easter Saturday I thought I'd repost briefly about that ride so that I have a thread to add to after this year's ride.

Bishop Mark of Chester Diocese (my boss) was a Blood Biker until he became a Bishop (time pressures) and remains a keen biker, so myself and a few other biking clergy were delighted to welcome him to the Diocese a few years ago.

About 2 years ago he went on a trip to the Diocese of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo which our Diocese is partnered with. Whilst there he discovered that most of the health care and midwifery clinics "in the bush" were provided by health care workers employed by "the church" and used cheap Senke motorcycles (Honda CG125s made under licence by Senke) to get to the clinics. These bikes cost £1200 so for about £1700 you can equip a worker with a new bike and safety gear.

Shortly after he returned a bunch of us were out on a ride and the subject came up and we encouraged him that if he organised something the biking community would be sure to step up and take part / donate.

So Easter Saturday 2025 saw the first ride (and my first experience of marshalling a Rideout). Entry was a minimum of £5 which could be gift-aided and the fund stayed open for donations after the ride.



Bishop Mark giving a ride briefing.



Some of the bikes involved.



My ride buddy Paul (fellow vicar) and ride leader chatting to some of those involved.





Lunch break at the Bishop's House.



Safe arrival at Foxhill Retreat House.

All went well and by July Bishop Mark was able to tell us that we had put 5 bikes on the road in the Diocese of Boga and then in January of this year a further 6 in Aru making a total of 11.



Here are some of them still in their wrappings. Archbishop Ande wrote “[We] are blessed. It is not easy for them to [get] these motorbikes. This will boost the ministry.”

So I'm looking forward to this coming Easter Saturday and the next "Oily Saturday" ride as Bp Mark has titled it.

More to follow.

 

Will do @Wessa. It is fun, if only in the range of bikes and people that turn up. I know you're local so you'd be welcome to join in. This is how Bp Mark describes the ride.

"The ride will be 125 and L-plate friendly and there will be riders of all different abilities with us. Please remember that you are responsible for your own safety and compliance with legal stuff throughout. The ride will be directed and stewarded, but you should ride within your limits on a bike which meets legal requirements (both in general and those that are specific to your licence). Stewards (‘Charlies’) will be clearly visible and will be directing the way and providing any needed pastoral support.

Please come in a yellow hi viz jacket (so that people don’t think you are a steward), and if you don’t want to be on any of the pictures tie a red ribbon round your left arm."

"There is a requested minimum donation of £5 per rider (100% of which goes to BBBMF). We will stop for lunch at J&S – who will provide bacon or sausage sandwiches and a cuppa (not included in the registration fee) for those who indicate at the start of the ride. (Please bring a packed lunch if you would like something different or have specific needs as time constraints do not allow for other options).
Complimentary drinks and snacks will be available at Daresbury and Foxhill."

We'll be setting off from Daresbury and ending at Foxhill.

To join in please let Bp Mark know at this email [email protected] and ask if there's still places and for ride instructions.

Looks like it might be chilly and cloudy, but it'll still be fun.

 

Not sure this is helpful and considering this is your only post its been reported for spam.

 

So Yesterday (4th April) I helped marshal Bp Mark's 2nd BBBMF run.

The day for me started cold 4degrees (but warmed up to a balmy 12) and storm Dave didn't arrive until much later, so it was two ~27 mile gentle pootles through Cheshire country lanes under cloudy blue skies; perfect.

Leg one was Church House; Daresbury to J&S / Fourways for pre-ordered Bacon / Sausage rolls and a cuppa.

Leg two was J&S to Foxhill Retreat House; Frodsham.

So far from donations and entry fees this year's run has raised £6,932.80 so that'll be another 5 or so bikes for the Congo.

Photos to follow, will take a while to edit them in so please be patient.

Gathering at Church House; thanks to the staff for volunteering to lay on teas, coffees, cakes and music. Pale blue bibs are the marshals, Bp Mark in pink bib (rode as tail end Charlie) and we had a cyclist who wanted to join in the fun.



More riders being checked in by the Bishop's PA / Chaplain (dark blue bib)


The yellow moped like creation is a homebuilt 125cc thing built by one of mine and Paul's riding buddies. Its a real bitsa and a lot of fun.

Looks like I've hit a limit on uploads so more images later.