There were Buffalo Soldiers, from Monroe County. There was the American Legion, the Latin American Motorcycle Association in Bethlehem, and a group called the Psychotic Riders from New Jersey.

Dozens of riders from all over coverged Saturday morning on Greater Shiloh Church in Easton for a mass "blessing of the bikes," bestowed on motorcycle club members.

"Doesn't matter where you come from, you've had a safe trip getting here," said Alvis Williams, president of the Monroe County Buffalo Soldiers, the group that organized the ceremony.

The motorcycle clubs came from all over, local riders as well as New Jersey, New York, even some riders from West Virginia, according to Shiloh Pastor Phillip Davis. There were Harleys, Kawasakis, and big three-wheeled bikes souped up to look like classic cars.

They all had one thing in common, Williams said.

"We all know at the end of the day, we've always got someone caring for us," he said.

And that's why the bikers gathered for Davis' blessing, standing in a crowd with their heads bowed, a sea of black leather on the Shiloh lawn. The event was billed as a blessing of the bikes, although the blessing was actually bestowed on the club members.

"The bikes are blessed because a blessed vessel is riding on the bikes," Davis said.

"I pray that you would cover this group of people," he said in his benediction. "Cover them. We don't want a loss this year."

The Buffalo Soliders had approached the church months ago about doing the blessing, Davis said, and then "took it to another level" by inviting all the different clubs.