Julie
19-07-2004, 11:52 AM
Belfast - Londonderry - Glengormley
200 mile Race
19th July 1904
Well this weekend for me has to have been one of the best weekends of my life. It all started about 18 months ago when I was asked to attend the Commemoration Motorbike Run in Belfast this was to commemorate the first road race held in Ireland in 1904. I was asked to attend as my Great Grandfather John Paul Burney won the race on his Royal Enfield.
The event was organised by Joan and David Crawford from the Vintage Motorcycle Club NI. They had arranged everything including the loan of a bike for me. Thanks to Ducati Belfast for the loan of the Lovely Brand New Yellow Monster. (Its now nicely run in.)
I arrived in Belfast at 8.30am at the start of the adventure . The Race was only open to pre 1939 bikes. I was also riding with my cousin Ian . This meant that The great grand daughter and son were riding bikes 100 years on, on the same roads that he did.
We rode 125 miles on Saturday leaving Belfast and took the Coast Road to Cushendall and Ballycastle we stopped for a lovely lunch at Ballycastle and then all set off for Portrush, Coleraine to Londonderry. This event was like something out of the wacky races. 40 pre 1939 bikes took part and all managed to complete the 225 mile course. However every 5 miles or so we would pass one of the bikes with steam and oil coming out of it. This didn't bother any of the VMCC they had thought of everything, they had back up trucks and trailers to scoop up any bikes. Tho this wasn't needed as all the bikes were able to be maintained at the road side.
The Run on Saturday took us in to Londonderry where we all stayed in a fantastic hotel for the night and enjoyed lots of food, music and GUINNESS.
Sunday was an early start and we set off to the Guild Hall in Londonderry with police escort. This helped keep all the bikes together. The course today was an inland route through Maghera, Claudy, Tomebridge to the Crown & Shamrock Inn at Glengormley about 6 miles from Belfast.
We stopped at Joe Dunlop's Bar for snacks and a chance to get some photos for the paper.
The Crown and Shamrock Pub is still the same after 100 years. It was were the original Race finished and where my great grandfather would have had a drink. The VMCC wanted my self and Ian to be first to the Pub. When we reached the Pub Ian and my self rode in together, both winning the race. This was an incredibly moving moment for me. I had to fight hard to hold back the tears. One by one the veterans made it to the pub and we all enjoyed a well earned drink. Guinness has never tasted so good!
I have been treated like a star this weekend and made to feel like royalty, I even had to sign autographs! And have many photos taken for the local papers (Saturdays paper has me on the front riding a yellow monster!)
Apart from you lot I have never met such a wonderful group of people who are so warm and kind. They looked after me from the moment I arrived to the Moment I left, sorting out a bike , food accommodation. The knowledge and memories of theses people are amazing and the pride they have in the Irish Motorbike racing history is so strong.
I really would like to thank Joan and David Crawford of the VMCCNI, and all its members and not to forget Ducati Belfast for the loan of the bike. It had truly been one of the best weekends of my life! I was even taken to the old house that the family lived in and the Street that is named after the family!
One of the best things said to me this weekend was ''I hear the Monsters have just had a track day!!''
200 mile Race
19th July 1904
Well this weekend for me has to have been one of the best weekends of my life. It all started about 18 months ago when I was asked to attend the Commemoration Motorbike Run in Belfast this was to commemorate the first road race held in Ireland in 1904. I was asked to attend as my Great Grandfather John Paul Burney won the race on his Royal Enfield.
The event was organised by Joan and David Crawford from the Vintage Motorcycle Club NI. They had arranged everything including the loan of a bike for me. Thanks to Ducati Belfast for the loan of the Lovely Brand New Yellow Monster. (Its now nicely run in.)
I arrived in Belfast at 8.30am at the start of the adventure . The Race was only open to pre 1939 bikes. I was also riding with my cousin Ian . This meant that The great grand daughter and son were riding bikes 100 years on, on the same roads that he did.
We rode 125 miles on Saturday leaving Belfast and took the Coast Road to Cushendall and Ballycastle we stopped for a lovely lunch at Ballycastle and then all set off for Portrush, Coleraine to Londonderry. This event was like something out of the wacky races. 40 pre 1939 bikes took part and all managed to complete the 225 mile course. However every 5 miles or so we would pass one of the bikes with steam and oil coming out of it. This didn't bother any of the VMCC they had thought of everything, they had back up trucks and trailers to scoop up any bikes. Tho this wasn't needed as all the bikes were able to be maintained at the road side.
The Run on Saturday took us in to Londonderry where we all stayed in a fantastic hotel for the night and enjoyed lots of food, music and GUINNESS.
Sunday was an early start and we set off to the Guild Hall in Londonderry with police escort. This helped keep all the bikes together. The course today was an inland route through Maghera, Claudy, Tomebridge to the Crown & Shamrock Inn at Glengormley about 6 miles from Belfast.
We stopped at Joe Dunlop's Bar for snacks and a chance to get some photos for the paper.
The Crown and Shamrock Pub is still the same after 100 years. It was were the original Race finished and where my great grandfather would have had a drink. The VMCC wanted my self and Ian to be first to the Pub. When we reached the Pub Ian and my self rode in together, both winning the race. This was an incredibly moving moment for me. I had to fight hard to hold back the tears. One by one the veterans made it to the pub and we all enjoyed a well earned drink. Guinness has never tasted so good!
I have been treated like a star this weekend and made to feel like royalty, I even had to sign autographs! And have many photos taken for the local papers (Saturdays paper has me on the front riding a yellow monster!)
Apart from you lot I have never met such a wonderful group of people who are so warm and kind. They looked after me from the moment I arrived to the Moment I left, sorting out a bike , food accommodation. The knowledge and memories of theses people are amazing and the pride they have in the Irish Motorbike racing history is so strong.
I really would like to thank Joan and David Crawford of the VMCCNI, and all its members and not to forget Ducati Belfast for the loan of the bike. It had truly been one of the best weekends of my life! I was even taken to the old house that the family lived in and the Street that is named after the family!
One of the best things said to me this weekend was ''I hear the Monsters have just had a track day!!''