Road Trip - Malin Head - 17th March 2011
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CMA at the Kings Hall Bike Show - 11-13th February 2011
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CMA Road trip 2010 - John O'Groats. 21-23rd May 2010
The CMA Northern Ireland branch enjoyed it's third annual weekend getaway. Having previously covered the 32 counties of Ireland in 3 days in 2008 and the "Ring of Kerry" in 2009, this year we headed for "Bonnie Scotland" and she didn't disappoint.
Around 22 bikes caught the ferry from Larne to Troon on Friday 21st May at 7.20 AM (early start!) and settled down for the 2 hour crossing to Troon just south of Glasgow. There was also a group from Trinity Motorcycle club in Lisburn on board so it was a real "Biker fest". After arriving in Troon it was up through Largs, over the Erskine Bridge and our first stop at the Green Wellie Stop in Tyndrum just above Loch Lomond. The weather was amazing and the scenery breath taking (God does like to show off in Scotland it seems!). From here it was on to Fortwilliam and up to our overnight stop in Inverness.
Sunday saw us up early again and taking a variety of routes back towards Troon for the sailing home at 8.20 PM. Each evening we had time for a meal together at various locations in Inverness town and the craic and fellowship was great.
When God came to earth, He didn't launch a spectacular campaign to travel the world and reach millions in one go - he spent time in relationship with ordinary men and women choosing to change the world "one heart at a time". To spend time with old friends and make new friends in such a beautiful location was a real blessing. I trust that others were refreshed as I was and that their spirits were lifted from the often staid routines of life to "soar on mountains" just like the ones we saw in the Highlands. I pray that those who journeyed with us who don't know Jesus as their friend and Saviour will be closer to knowing Him in their life's journey than they were before.
A special thanks to Norrie and Jim for the organising and route planning which they undertook which made the trip so memorable.
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Colin Thompson - China Outreach
Hi,
A big thank you to everyone that was praying for me. It was a bit of a daunting time, the day that I left for Hong Kong/China, on the morning of departure at Belfast and Manchester, I was running a high temperature that would have prevented my entry to Hong Kong, this seemed to have dropped rightly by mid-flight, after 12hours of travel several of the team commented on how much better I looked (still a touch of a cold and an annoying cough). So far since landing, I have had my temperature checked 5 times, once on arrival and on each entry & departure between China & Hong Kong and praise the Lord it was below 37.0c each time.
On Monday morning, some of the team carried out a dry run, doing a border crossing to see the setup, as we weren't to have the briefing meeting to the afternoon. For every border crossing, there are at least 4 forms to be filled and to be turned away if not completed correctly. The afternoon consisted of a 2 hr briefing consisting of the true facts about China and its restrictions and the procedures for border crossings, dealing with the security, scanners, police and officials if stopped.
The first runs started at 6pm, with a team leaving the office fully laden at 15-20 minutes intervals. It is difficult to carry much material, as its around 30c most days but with the humidity its closer to 40c+ and easily break into a sweat when you leave the air conditioned buildings/trains. When you reach the border, the team breaks up a few minutes before the multiple checkpoints begin, often out of sight of each other, then you do feel God's presence with you start the journey towards the immigration, temp check and baggage scanner. It is amazing how God can reduce the nerves, as I had 2 big concerns, the first being the temperature check. If you are over 37.0c, (I think including coughing or have a cold) you will be stopped, but still while very warm, the sweat running down your back, wheeling a suitcase and carrying a rucksack and concerned about what lies ahead, I was under the strict temperature limit while they put the beam to my head.
After making it through the temperature check fully laden was a great relief, so you start the journey towards the scanners. While being apprehensive, started that walk of faith, how can you put a suitcase full of bibles (no clothes) through a scanner and not be stopped. Everyone in the team made it through successfully so that was a great relief and gives us confidence and faith for further runs. Personally, being able to make a successful run at the start will help me for the 2 planned trips today.
Heading to the wet market, just around the corner we could see the Chinese food which was floating and flapping about. The internet is intermittent, so unsure of how many emails I can send. Please keep praying for the team for good health and God's hand at the scanner area.
Colin
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2009 - "The Ring of Kerry" Road Trip
Hi all
Just a note to thank you for an excellent week-end, you made me feel very welcome and I enjoyed the company and fellowship in a beautiful location.It was an opportunity to see another part of Gods vast and wondrous creation that we have on this island of ours. Look forward to meeting you all soon, I attach a few photos which I took and look forward to seeing many more.
Thanks
Trevor D
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2008 - ‘The Thirty Two Counties’ Round Ireland Motorcycle Run - Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of CMA, Northern Ireland
On Friday the 13th June 2008, at 0800hrs, we assembled at the ‘Joey Dunlop’ grandstand on the Ulster Grand Prix course, County Antrim. There were thirteen bikes with one pillion passenger at the starting point. We knew that some bikes were with us for that day only but we started of in good humour after a prayer by our chairperson, Roy. Roy brought his wife Anne, our only pillion passenger. We travelled from County Antrim into Tyrone where we had our first ‘tea stop’ in Cookstown. From there we crossed into Fermanagh where we had lunch at the Belleek Pottery. 
From there we left Northern Ireland and entered the Republic of Ireland. No more sterling or imperial measurements, now we were real ‘Europeans’. From Donegal we entered Sligo and zigzagged our way towards County Clare and our first nights accommodation in the unusually named ‘Jamaica Inn’ Hostel. Sixmilebridge. |
We headed west for the ferry, still in County Clare, and travelled across the River Shannon estuary towards Tarbert in County Kerry. This was our most westerly point. From Tralee we headed east across Cork, Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford and towards Carlow.
On our last morning together we again enjoyed a hearty breakfast, and headed north. We had a couple of ‘diversions’ and de-tours, but it was a lovely day and the roads were great. We stopped off at Trim, County Meath, for a cup of tea as it must have been almost sixty minutes from the last cup. We entered County Cavan and County Monaghan. We were now on the home straight. Over the border into Northern Ireland, County Armagh and return to County Antrim.
We entered all 32 counties at some stage. Covered over 800 miles . There was a mixture of all kinds of bikes. Some were so economical they did almost 29 miles to the gallon (ouch). Some were able to cover 200 miles per fill up and others 90. But we enjoyed those things we had in common namely, our love of our Lord and Saviour, CMA, each other and our bikes.