Why we ride, why it matters
OUR STORY
Two Holy Bikers began with an unlikely friendship.
In 2015, Fr Matthew Cashmore was serving a summer placement at St Mary’s, Princes Risborough. At the same time, a young first-year assistant curate called Dan Beesley arrived one Sunday morning in a state of mild panic, bursting into the vestry and declaring, “I’ve been told to put on some robes. Which ones do I need?”
From that moment, a friendship began.
Matthew took it upon himself to educate the very protestant Dan in the mysteries of vestments, saints, church history and why beauty has an important place in leading people towards God. Dan, meanwhile, introduced Matthew to the riches of deep Bible study, careful theological reasoning and a fresh appreciation for the Scriptures. Between them, they often joke, they make the perfect Anglican priest.
That summer they volunteered together at a youth camp, where their friendship was cemented by shared ministry, shared laughter and, ultimately, being dropped into the camp’s gunge tank together in front of hundreds of young people. There are few experiences that build friendship quite as quickly as public humiliation in the service of youth ministry.
Years later, Dan is now Rector of Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire, and Matthew is Vicar of St John’s, Bovey Tracey and St Luke’s, Milber in Devon. Although serving in different places and bringing different gifts, they remain united by a shared love of God, a deep friendship, and a continuing desire to discover more about Him.
That desire lies at the heart of this pilgrimage.
Over six weeks, they will travel more than 9000 kilometres by motorcycle across Europe, visiting some of Christianity’s most significant pilgrimage destinations. From Walsingham to Jasna Góra, Medjugorje, Loreto, Montserrat, Fátima, Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes, they will follow ancient routes of prayer, devotion and discovery.
But this journey is about more than reaching famous shrines. Pilgrimage has always been about what happens along the way: the conversations, the challenges, the unexpected encounters, the hospitality of strangers and the discovery that God often meets us on the road.
As they travel, they will share stories, reflections, photographs and films from the journey, inviting others to join us in exploring Europe’s rich Christian heritage and the friendships that can flourish across traditions.
At its heart, Two Holy Bikers is a story about friendship, faith and the adventure of following Christ together.