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.