Cycling

While visiting the Shrine of St. Anthony last week, we wandered down a prayer path entitled Our Lady of Ghisallo. Being brave adventurers we hiked a short distance into the woods and saw the sign.

Upon closer inspection we saw the following prayer...

As we bike through the city streets, the highways and mountain trails
Protect us Lord from
spills and crashes
trucks and cars whose drivers do not recognize our right to use the roads
dogs who like to bite our shapely legs
potholes, cracks and sharp objects that flatten our tires
thieves and bikenappers who lust after our bikes
the rains and thunders
and all kind of nasty accidents.

Give us the energy and strength
to wake up in the morning and go for a bike ride
to keep us from bonking
to ride up the hills and mountains
to reach our destination.

Grant us the courage
to descend rapidly down the hills
to ride through the rain
to join and finish races even if we know we will never win.

May we experience the joy and the ecstasy
as we are moved by the beauty of nature
as the sun and the wind caress our face
as we feel one with the bike and the road and forget about the time
as we get in touch with the child within us
as we enjoy each others' company
as we feel we could bike forever.

May we continue biking even as we grow old and up to the day we die.
And may you allow us to continue biking in heaven, forever and ever.

Amen!

The Patron Saint of Cyclists is Ghisallo. Legend has it that he was traveling in the Italian hillside when he was attacked by highway bandits. Spotting a image of the Virgin Mary in a roadside shrine, he broke away from his attackers and ran to it. There he took refuge, pled for protection - and was miraculously saved from the robbers.

I am not a bike rider, but I was impressed that a prayer path would be dedicated to cycling.

Walking back toward the monastery, for a brief moment, I thought about taking up cycling. If I do, I know the prayer I will pray before getting behind the handle bars.

Amen.