‘The Thirty Two Counties’ Round Ireland Motorcycle Run -
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of CMA, Northern Ireland
The CMA has been in existence in the Northern Ireland for twenty years. We thought of different ways we could celebrate our big anniversary. Some suggested a trip round the world and others thought the local Pizza Hut would be far enough. In the end we thought we would do something in the middle and go around Ireland entering every county. Initially, we thought a photograph of the riders and their machinery beside the ‘Welcome to County…..’ would make an interesting montage. However, in reality this did not happen as we just kept rolling along and stopped for nothing only refreshments and petrol.
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 and had previously requested a ‘honeymoon suite’ at our accommodation. 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. The rooms were good and we would have no difficulty recommending it. Even Roy and Anne had a double room with ‘en suite.’ (Well done Jim!) We gave Michael, the guy in charge of the hostel, a copy of the ‘Bikers Bible’ which he gratefully accepted and promised to leave it available for travellers staying with him. After a hearty Irish breakfast that necessitated in at least one animal giving it’s all, we had a ‘thought for the day!’
Jim told us about his favourite verse in the Bible namely Jude 24. ‘Now unto him that is able to keep from falling and present you faultless in his presence with exceeding joy.’ The simple thought was that we are unworthy and unable to maintain our faith on our own, but the Lord Himself keeps us from slipping and on Him only can we depend. We prayed that God would help us to depend on Him and that He would keep us safe on our journey that day.
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. Here we had our second night’s accommodation in a lovely ‘bed and breakfast’ that Uel had used before. We dined next door in a local hotel and it was lovely. This time we all had ‘en suites.’ We were sort of hanging about, you know the way it is, too tired to go into town, can’t be bothered watching television, etc, whenever John suggested doing the ‘thought for the day’ there and then, rather than wait until the morning. So being in Ireland we had two ‘thought for the day!’
John talked about a recent book he had been reading. It reminded him about the main thing in the Christian life is Jesus. There are a lot of distractions, some are perfectly legitimate, but the instructions Jesus gave to his disciples was, ‘Follow Me.’ John confessed, that at one point on our journey in Sligo, he had mistaken another motorcyclist and followed him instead of our trusted ‘route-master!’ How easy it is to get it wrong! In life we can often be busy and occupy our time but is it really what we are about. Even in ‘church stuff’ there can often be activity and industry, but is it really what God wants us to do. Jesus said, ‘Follow me!’ That means keeping our focus on Him and not necessarily on the efforts of others. We admitted it was hard to keep concentrating on what we should be but we were encouraged to keep our eyes on Him!
On our last morning together we again enjoyed a hearty breakfast, none of that ‘continental stuff’ 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 of at Trim, County Meath, for a cup of tea as it must have been almost sixty minutes from the last cup. We enjoyed a leisurely dander around the centre and a look at the impressive castle. We entered County Cavan and had another break in Castleblayney, 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. Stopped over night in Counties Clare and Carlow. Covered over 800 miles (880 from Carrickfergus my personal starting and finishing point). 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.
Roll on our 21st anniversary. (For a detailed copy of route taken please email jimarmstrong1953@hotmail.com)