One hundred years ago this week, an Irish American, Carl Stearns Clancy, set off from Philadelphia with his riding companion Walter Storey, on a pair of 4-cylinder Henderson motorcycles, with a map that would guide them right round the world.
Clancy's friend pulled out in Paris, but Clancy himself completed the journey and is now considered to be the first motorcyclist to ever ride around the world.
For the Irish leg, he started in Dublin on 23rd October 1912 and rode to Donegal, and onwards to Belfast the following day. So on 23rd Oct 2012 a bunch of riders started out to retrace his steps.
And a lot of razzmatazz there was.
A 1922 Henderson was brought along to the departure party and was ridden around the car park a few times by Gary Walker, who joined us on the ride to Donegal on an 'ordinary' bike.

The boots that Gary is wearing here are the very same boots that Clancy wore on his trip. They survived through a long series of connections between the Clancy family and friends.

Preparing for the demonstration ride.
Feargal O'Neill, the organiser of this Grand Ride, looks on.

The starter on the left next to Paddy Guerin, owner of the Henderson, who has a steadying hand on Gary's shoulder.

And he's away! The Centenary Ride begins!
(If only Gary would put the book down)

Recent book by Dr. Gregory W Frazier. (Note the boots)

It was a false start. There's tea and biscuits in the showroom first, to take a break from the misty rain.

This 1922 Henderson has a mobile phone fitted.
A rare early version, consisting of a morse key for sending morse code, right on the handlebar.
( . . . - - - . . . for the emergency services)
Called The iMorse (or even ..Morse), it's a dual purpose device. Holding the key down earths all the electrics, the only way to stop the engine.

The 1922 Henderson in full song.
Dancing pushrods and valve springs exposed to the outside world, just behind the exhausts.

Later:

Arriving at the lunchtime stop in Enniskillen

And at the overnight stop in Donegal.
Clancy was here. A 100 years ago today.

From Donegal, Clancy did a side excursion to the Slieve League Cliffs.
So we did as well.

It looked like there may be a strange sunset.

But first a look at the Giant's Desk and Chair.

Round to the left, the moon put in an appearance.

Remaining pink sky to the right.

The Wednesday morning departure from Donegal - there's talk of how to load the beer kegs onto the bikes.

Seen on the Donegal to Derry road. Letterkenny, twinned with Khomas Conservancy.

On the way to the Giant's Causeway. Looking back to Portrush from Magheracross.

And onwards to the Causeway in the far distance.

Arrival at the Giant's Causeway Hotel for lunch. The group had grown to well over 30 bikes.

Quick briefing for the final run into Belfast.

Clancy headed to Belfast Docks for a ship to Glasgow. But no one knows which docks.
So we headed to tea and sandwiches at Adelaide Insurance Services instead.

A grand ending to a grand ride.

According to what I heard in the marquee, quite a few riders here have already put the next Clancy Centenary Ride in their diaries.
Good idea!
Many Thanks to Feargal for setting it all up. It was a great centenary event.

Next up: head down to Athy for the 2012 Shackleton Autumn School.