Motorcycle Pilgrimage Offers Catholics a Unique Ride of Faith Through the Rockies

Grassroots journey invites riders into deeper prayer, reflection and fraternity during the Jubilee Year of Hope 

Jim Ingraham and Gary Lesser on a motorcycle ride near Slumgullion Pass. The team of seasoned riders plan to welcome other Catholic motorcyclists on an eight-day, 1,400+ mile pilgrimage through the Rockies this summer. (Photo provided)

This August, a remarkable grassroots spiritual journey will wind its way through the towering peaks and peaceful valleys of the Colorado Rockies — not by bus or on foot, but on two wheels.  

The Colorado Motorcycle Pilgrimage is an eight-day, 1,400+ mile adventure open to Catholic motorcyclists seeking more than scenic views and open roads. Beginning August 10, riders will embark on a powerful pilgrimage that combines faith, fraternity and the freedom of the ride. 

The pilgrimage, organized by lay faithful, is not an official Archdiocesan event, but it is a bold witness to the enduring relevance of faith in today’s world. Designed to coincide with the Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope, the route includes visits to Catholic churches and sacred sites across the region — many of which have been established as pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year. Riders will participate in daily Mass, receive the sacraments and reflect on their spiritual journey, turning Colorado’s mountain roads into a path of grace. 

“I call this pilgrimage ‘Pray. Ride. Eat. Sleep,’ because that’s all we’ll be doing for eight days,” said Gary Lesser, one of the pilgrimage organizers. “I’m hopeful that Catholics from all over Northern Colorado will join Jim Ingraham and me for this life-changing experience.” 

For Lesser, a seasoned rider who has logged more than 100,000 miles across the U.S., this pilgrimage is a homecoming of sorts.  

“I’ve ridden all over the country, from the Pacific Coast Highway to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It turns out the best riding of all is right here in the Rockies,” he said. “So, when Jim had this idea for a Colorado pilgrimage on two wheels and he asked me to plan the route, I only had one question: ‘When do we leave?’” 

What sets this pilgrimage apart is not only the miles covered, but the intentional spiritual structure. Riders will journey together in faith, forming bonds with fellow Catholic motorcyclists along the way. The event emphasizes reflection and community — two dimensions often overlooked in the fast-paced rhythms of modern life. 

“Riding a motorcycle gives me opportunity for reflection around every turn,” Lesser added. “I love the freedom and the sense of adventure. There’s just an unmatched feeling of exhilaration.” 

The grassroots pilgrimage has drawn growing interest from parishes and faithful across Colorado. Pastors are invited to share the pilgrimage’s invitation in their bulletins to inspire parishioners in search of a spiritual adventure off the beaten path. 

The Colorado Motorcycle Pilgrimage is more than a ride — it’s a moving testimony to Catholic brotherhood, sacramental life and the road less traveled. As the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope, this unique journey invites you to rediscover the joy of faith with the wind at your back and the Eucharist at your center. 

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For more information or to register, visit www.comotopilgrimage.org.