Blessing of the Bikes and Runners 2026

The Blessing of the Bikes and Runners is a free Saturday morning gathering in July at St. Joseph Cathedral on Main Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It centers on cyclists and runners bringing their bikes and running shoes to be blessed for a safe training season, with Father Cary Bani leading the blessing. The event is hosted by VS Tour de Friends Ride Hard Live Easy, Baton Rouge Bike Club, and Varsity Sports, and it also serves as a tribute to fallen heroes from Louisiana. Cyclists can ride in from the L'Auberge Casino overflow parking lot, with separate departures for slower and faster riders; the faster group averages 16-17 mph. Another cyclist option is to meet at Past Time Restaurant and follow the last mile, while runners meet downtown before everyone gathers in the church parking lot. Participants are asked to wear blue for law enforcement, red for firefighters, or white for emergency medical personnel, so the morning combines a short ride or run with a public safety tribute, a blessing, and a community meetup for Baton Rouge runners and cyclists.