John is preparing to go on patrol in Ocean City. Then he prays with his wife and gets on his cross bike
John is preparing to go on patrol in Ocean City.
Then he prays with his wife and gets on his cross bike
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John with his cross bike on the boardwalk of the waterfront
John with his cross bike on the boardwalk of the waterfront
It rains hard tonight, John protects his bike in an underground car park while waiting for a lull
It rains hard tonight, John protects his bike in an underground car park while waiting for a lull
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The cross at night is visible from far away because it is equipped with blue led lights
The cross at night is visible from far away because it is equipped with blue led lights
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John challenges the young students out tonight and talks easily with them. This is the "cross bike" effect. They are curious and amused.
John challenges the young students out tonight and talks easily with them. This is the "cross bike" effect. They are curious and amused.
John offer the students going out to party some excerpts from the Bible. His approach may seem proselytizing but in fact he warns them against the dangers of alcohol.
John offer the students going out to party some excerpts from the Bible. His approach may seem proselytizing but in fact he warns them against the dangers of alcohol.
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John riding his cross bike through the streets of ocean city. Driving tonight is very dangerous due to wind and rain causing deviations on the road.
John riding his cross bike through the streets of ocean city.
Driving tonight is very dangerous due to wind and rain causing deviations on the road.
John : "When I bike with the cross, I want it to challenge people, to see the cross and to remember that Jesus is always there for them."
John : "When I bike with the cross, I want it to challenge people, to see the cross and to remember that Jesus is always there for them."
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It may be surprising but young people always give John a great welcome.
It may be surprising but young people always give John a great welcome.
John under the rain on the boardwalk
John under the rain on the boardwalk
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the merchants on the waterfront know John well and appreciate his action to help the young people.
the merchants on the waterfront know John well and appreciate his action to help the young people.
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IN GOD WE TRUST SERIES

THE CROSS BIKE

This report is part of  [ In God we trust ] series.
[ In God we trust ] is an exploration of American society through a religious prism.
In a particularly gloomy social environment religion is more than ever a relevant marker to better understand the evolution of American society.

John lives in Berlin, just outside Ocean City, Maryland.
A fervent believer, employed at the town hall, he is also a former professional cyclist.
The idea came to him in a dream a few years ago to associate his passion for cycling and his mission on earth as a good
Christian.
For him, it is first and foremost a great way to meet
people. Cross bike challenges, amuses and allows contact and exchange.
In the evening after his day at work, he gets on his funny bike and goes to meet the young people in the streets of
Ocean City. He can travel up to 20 or 30 miles a day.
Ocean City is a party town, and during Spring Break young students flock en masse to have fun and of course drink and
drink again.
John that it winds or rains goes to meet them along the boardwalks on the waterfront and tries to warn them about the
dangers of the party.
Never moralizing, he always has a nice word and hands them little extracts from the Bible, so that these accompany and
protect them.
Most of the time, he gets along with party people.
Meanwhile, his wife stays awake and prays for him, especially when he marches in the rain.