On Friday, vicars from around the country came to Oxford to raise awareness of the 'Ride + Stride for Churches' event happening in September, where people walk or cycle to raise money for historic churches.
The clergy received lessons on how to ride the 19th century bike by world experts from the Penny Farthing Club in a school car park before many cycled through the streets of Oxford to promote the charity.
Rev Davd Salter from St Mary's Church in Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire said: "Hopefully, this shows that we are grateful for the support of the public and also that clergy are game for a laugh.
"It was silly and a bit scary at the same time. I will be lobbying for the organisers to hold a more sedate launch event next year."
Clergy who were interested were urged to sign up and wear their dog collar but "the instructors have expressed concerns about cassocks getting caught in spokes, so it is probably best to leave them at home" says the charity.
An unexpected delight of clergy on Penny Farthings for the people of #Oxford today! pic.twitter.com/xVnRw6q43g
— National Churches Trust (@NatChurchTrust) May 31, 2019
According to the Harrogate Advertiser, Reverend Nick Morgan from Wetherby was the first vicar to sign up.
He said: "I think it is a wonderful way of raising the profile of a fantastic event and a means of demonstrating, if it was ever in doubt, that the clergy are perfectly capable of having fun."
Concentrating on not being thwarted by gravity and other aspects of physics. pic.twitter.com/KCttXri8Uz
— Nick Morgan (@UnshaunSheep) May 31, 2019
National Ride + Stride chair Hilary Cakebread Hall described the event as "quite bizarre, but quite brilliant" and added "Churches are so important spiritually and aesthetically, and they are the setting for some of the most important events in all of our lives – baptisms, weddings and funerals.
"Ride + Stride is not just for people who go to church every weekend. It is for couples and individuals who want an excuse for riding miles on a Saturday, or for families who want to do something fun and worthwhile."
The sponsored walk and cycle, open to clergy and non-clergy alike is on Saturday 14th September.
The brave team of clergy who are taking part in the launch of #RideandStride 2019 are in the hands of the experts from the Penny Farthing Club! pic.twitter.com/bwNvOx1YvW
— National Churches Trust (@NatChurchTrust) May 31, 2019
We bet you've never seen this many members of clergy on Penny Farthings before! #RideandStride pic.twitter.com/Q2zSNHe5hv
— Ride+Stride (@RideStrideUK) May 31, 2019
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