Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion More than 40 motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at the Nikiski Church of the Nazarene for a biker blessing Sunday.

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion More than 40 motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at the Nikiski Church of the Nazarene for a biker blessing Sunday.

Bikers get blessed for safe riding season

  • By DAN BALMER
  • Sunday, May 4, 2014 8:53pm
  • News

A convoy of motorcycles pulled into the Nikiski Church of the Nazarene parking lot Sunday and before long more than 40 bikes parked in front with their chrome accents gleaming in the sun and the sound of muffled engines in the air.

Riders from all over the Kenai Peninsula gathered for a bike blessing at the church. The annual ceremony is held on the first Sunday in May to usher in safe travel this summer on Alaskan roadways.

News of three motorcyclists killed in an accident on the Glenn Highway Saturday in Palmer weighed heavily on Nikiski resident Scott Hamann’s mind as he said a few words during the morning service.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

According to an Alaska State Troopers report, the accident occurred when a vehicle stopped to make a turn but was rear-ended by another vehicle and pushed into the oncoming lane where four motorcyclists then collided with it. Three of the four were pronounced dead on scene while the other rider was hospitalized.

“I’m sure when they woke up yesterday morning they were not thinking it would be their last day on earth,” he said. “It serves as a somber reminder to make every day count and cherish your loved ones.”

Church of the Nazarene pastor Jason Evoy said bike blessing is his favorite Sunday of the year because regardless of faith everyone present shared the sanctity of humanity.

Bikers clad in black leather chaps and jackets socialized over coffee and donuts while admiring the variety of motorcycles in the lot. Soldotna resident Josh Land, the president of the Christian Motorcycle Association Peninsula Chapter, chatted with Antonio “Chico” Sandoval of Kasilof about his 2002 Santee motorcycle.

Land said the recent weather was perfect for riding. He rode the scenic bypass to Anchorage on Saturday and soaked up the views at Turnagain Arm.

Charlie MacDonald of Sterling shared stories of the road with Greg and Teresa Matranga from Soldotna. MacDonald is the owner of a Harley Davidson Heritage Springer with a custom flame painted gas tank and chrome skull on the front between the handlebars.

After the service, cyclists lined up one-by-one as Hamann and Kenai resident Gary Anderson prayed for the rider’s safety this summer.

Kenai residents Jake and Hilory Arness said this is the first blessing they have attended. After they each received their blessings, the two took off for a ride around the peninsula.

“We look forward to days like this,” Hilory Arness said. “You only have so many months to ride in Alaska.”

Reach Dan Balmer at daniel.balmer@peninsulaclarion.com

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Greg Matranga of Soldotna receives a prayer from Scott Hannan (left) and Gary Anderson (right) at a biker blessing at the Nikiski Church of the Nazarene Sunday. More than 40 bikers rode in from all over the Kenai Peninsula for the event.

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Greg Matranga of Soldotna receives a prayer from Scott Hannan (left) and Gary Anderson (right) at a biker blessing at the Nikiski Church of the Nazarene Sunday. More than 40 bikers rode in from all over the Kenai Peninsula for the event.

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Antonio "Chico" Sandoval receives a prayer from Scott Hammon (left) and Gary Anderson (right) for safe riding on his 2002 Santee motorcycle at the Biker Blessing at the Church of the Nazarene in Nikiski Sunday. More than 40 bikers from all over the Kenai Peninsula attended the blessing.

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Antonio “Chico” Sandoval receives a prayer from Scott Hammon (left) and Gary Anderson (right) for safe riding on his 2002 Santee motorcycle at the Biker Blessing at the Church of the Nazarene in Nikiski Sunday. More than 40 bikers from all over the Kenai Peninsula attended the blessing.

More in News

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
King salmon fishing on Kasilof to close Thursday

If any king salmon is caught while fishing for other species, they may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

James Wardlow demonstrates flilleting a salmon with an ulu during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Refuge to celebrate all things fish during weeklong event

Fish Week will take place July 16-19.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board finalizes budget with deep cuts to programming, classrooms

Multiple members of the board said they were frustrated by the state’s failure to fund education.

Former KPBSD Finance Director Liz Hayes speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School district finance department earns national awards

The two awards are based on comprehensive reviews of the district’s budget and financial reporting.

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in