MOTORCYCLISTS from around the world will come together this month to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Carl Stearns Clancy's landmark trip around the globe.
In 1912 21 year-old Clancy and his riding partner Walter Storey set off from Philadelphia for Dublin, where they began their overland journey, setting out to become the first motorcyclists to 'girdle the globe.'
After a bad accident in Paris and terrible weather throughout October and November, Storey left Clancy to battle on alone.
Between 1912 and 1913, Irish-American Clancy rode 18,000 miles on his 1912 Henderson motorcycle. At the time of the trip, his machine was the fastest avaliable, at times capable of speeds up to 55mph.
The legendary Henderson Motorcycle Company was founded in 1911 in Detroit, Michigan. The 1912-built Henderson Four was a long machine with a four-cylinder engine, just one gear and no front brake. Clancy and Storey were using two of only five Henderson motorcycles produced in 1912.
In 1912, there were very few surfaced roads - even in relatively developed countries. At the time of the trip, motorcycles had no off-road capabilites whatsoever and were not built for endurance riding. Opportunities for repair or spare parts were almost non-existent. Clancy's journey was to take him ten months.
Fast forward to 2012, and two Irish riders, Feargal O’Neill and Joe Walsh, intend to recreate Clancy's extraordinary journey. In conjunction with the motorcycle traveller’s website Horizons Unlimited, the pair have announced the Clancy Centenary Ride for 2012-2013 stated to begin on Oct. 23, 2012 in Dublin, Ireland.
Any motorcyclist can join the Clancy Centenary Ride. There is no entry fee and any motorcycle is welcome. Bikers can ride for a mile or a thousand miles.
Click here for more information on the Clancy Centenary Ride.
