Dragon Rally 2006 (with pics)

[stinkwheel]

Friday
Determined to make it down to North Wales in daylight this year. Something we have never achieved to-date due to excessive faffing about so I was cracking the whip. Still didn’t get away before 11am but better than previous years.

Headed out in brilliant sunshine for the boring bit of the journey down the M6 then the M56 and A55. Tank range on the KLE500 isn’t so good so stopped at Preston services for fuel and a tab then again at the end of the A55. Got a shift on, criusing at 90-100mph so there in plenty of time for the more interesting roads.

Had a great whang along the twisties going to Betws-y-coed, road was dry and I even had my sunglasses on. The KLE seems to really enjoy these twisty A-roads to the extent my mate was struggling to keerp up on his SV650.

Anyway, got into Betws well before dark and settled into the B&B. Stayed at Bryn Bella this year again. Very warm, friendly people and they didn’t seem to mind a load of sodden wet bikers descending on them last time we stayed there. Seem to have a fluffy toy thing going on in the house but other than that very comfy and well appointed for £55 a twin room.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm005.jpg

Headed into town for the usual piss-up on the Friday night. Not as many bikers about as previously because the rally site is a bit removed from the town. Staggered back via the 24 hour garage for pies and got a good nights sleep in.

Saturday
Up fairly early for a cracking fried breakfast knowing it is only 50 miles or so to the control point. Weather had broken a bit so yet again the decision to break the journey was justified, we would have been going down the M6 in heavy spray if we’d left this morning.

Set off at a leisurely bimble, taking in the scenery as we went along the A5 up past Tryfan heading for Anglesea. Across the Britannia bridge and onwards down a fairly windy B-road to the control point. Slow going because of the number of trikes and sidecars on the road.

Pulled in at the control point caravan to get out tickets stamped and find directions to the rally. Stayed long enough for a cup of tea because the wind had got up and it was a bit chilly.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm007.jpg

As it turned out, the rally was only another couple of miles at the racetrrack they use to test the cars on the ‘fifth gear’ program. They had the track itself well shut off though. Still being dry got the tents pitched and set off for the usual wander about kicking tyres. Again saw loads of interesting an unusual bikes.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/site.jpg

Well please with the new tent.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm031.jpg

This trike is owned by a guy we met at the pub. He made it himself in three days and made the caravan in two. Both he and his missus had come in dragon costumes.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm015.jpg

An off-the shelf trike conversion garaunteed to appeal to the tart in everyone.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm011.jpg

This Norton has been everywhere, most Dragon rallies, a few Elephant rallies and all round Europe. He tows a trailer with it too. Note the car alternator conversion and mobile phone charging off the battery.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm014.jpg

A huge Guzzi single, not sure exactly what but unusual anyway.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm013.jpg

Everyone comes to the Dragon by bike, even dogs.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm012.jpg

Chav-tastic C90, good use of rear spoiler I thought.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm017.jpg

Thought this off-road KLE500 combo looked a useful tool.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm016.jpg

Well used and fairly ratty 350LC.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm030.jpg

Very nice looking Bonneville with Hurricane body kit.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm025.jpg

Weather got progressively worse as the day went on so glad we got there early. Started pissing rain as my mates from Derbyshire arrived on a BSA A10, BMW R100 and Silverwing trike. The beesa had spat its dummy again and wasn’t charging but he reckoned there was enough in the battery to get him home.

Onwards to the marquee for soup, badges, commemerative slate coaster (Menai bridge this time) and that ultimate of biker acessories, a dragon rally wooly hat. Drinks in!

Different band this year, very good but a bit ‘background’ type music. Whilst the folk band of previous years were a bit rough round the edges, you could join in with the songs and do a bit of drunken dancing about which certainly keeps you warm.

Sunday
Still pissing it down getting very wet. A few bikes having tantrums and not starting but ours were ok.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm021.jpg
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm028.jpg

Got cracking down the road and stopped at Morrisons café for something to eat. Headed onwards through the rain to the bothy in mid-Wales again. Arrived in daylight after remembering the way in along the forestry comission roads and thankfully remembered to take coal for the fire with us. Still warm when we arrived but quite a lot of water had wicked up under the waterproofs, fire soon had everything dry though. Sitting talking shite and drinking wine in the middle of nowhere with a warm fire and the rain battering the windows is a very good thing to do now and then.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm038.jpg
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/imm039.jpg

Monday
An uneventful run up through Wales and back up the M6 saw us back home, just the last 50 miles in was a bit drizzly and unplesant, more due to the spray off the wagons.

All in all, a fairly good run out. I certainly had fun, it was a bit damp at times but what can you expect in Wales during February, at least it didn’t snow this time. I’ll be going again next year.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[mr.z]

Wow that looks like brilliant fun!

Hered of the dragon rally before a few times, looks good, dont think my gf would go for the camping in the pishing rain bit tho

Maybe next year...

(Is the laser exhaust the "sport" version? nearly ordered one for the transalp, they sound bloody fantastic, meaty)
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[stinkwheel]

[mr.z]

[Stinky]

Looks like you guys have fun . Anybody ever thought of doing the GUMBALL 3000?
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StinkY
I mean, who really wants a car?

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Cool write up. Whereabouts is that bothy?

[quacker_boy]

[Andy C]

cool write up looks very wet though!!!

How many years have you been doing it now? i think i would be fun to that sort of thing
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[stinkwheel]

[Whosthedaddy]

Looked cool, shame about the weather

The C90 is very chav wannabe, awww those German Shep puppies were cute
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[quacker_boy]

[stinkwheel]

Nah, If I was going round the world on a bike it would either be something huge and utterly reliable like a BMW R80/100GS or something simple and easily repairable like an MZ 2-stroke.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Robby]

Good post, looks like fun.

And the KLE is oozing with mad max cool. Never, ever wash it.

I think stinkwheel managed 5 posts there before mentioning eastern european 2 strokes, good going.

[Dom_]

Loving the Kle. I want.

[Flip]

I'm really going to have to do this one year. Didn't realise it was this weekend.

Wonder if I can drag Mo' along.

[KLR600]

Gutted.

I'm totally gutted, I really wanted to go to it this year but I only just got my bike back yesterday from a guy fixing it (still a bit broke now actually ). I only live just down the road from Betws so I could of persuaded someone to give me a lift but I guess it's just not the same that way.

Well I'm sure as hell not missing next years Dragon
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
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[Lone-Wolf]

Wotcha.

Ah - the Dragon.
Ain't done one since 1987 - they priced themselves out of the market as far as I'm concerned. I know it's the UK's oldest rally, but for a 'one nighter' with minimal facilities it's damn expensive.

The old Norton in the piccies belongs to Bruce - a fellow who often turns up on our rally, amongst other places.
Here he is at the Wistanstow classic show
Bruce's beastie

As for the strange Guzzi single. It's a Nuovo Falcone - a rather jolly 500 single with a bloody great huge flywheel. Great fun - trust me on this, I've got one
Funnily enough - at the Wistanstow classic show the previous year
Little Green Guzzi

For those still curious about 'em
Bacon slicer 2003

Bacon slicer 2005
____________________
Cheers.
^..^
L.W. - www.moonshiners.org.uk

[Lone-Wolf]

Wotcha.

Ah - the Dragon.
Ain't done one since 1987 - they priced themselves out of the market as far as I'm concerned. I know it's the UK's oldest rally, but for a 'one nighter' with minimal facilities it's damn expensive.

The old Norton in the piccies belongs to Bruce - a fellow who often turns up on our rally, amongst other places.
Here he is at the Wistanstow classic show
Bruce's beastie

As for the strange Guzzi single. It's a Nuovo Falcone - a rather jolly 500 single with a bloody great huge flywheel. Great fun - trust me on this, I've got one
Funnily enough - at the Wistanstow classic show the previous year
Little Green Guzzi

For those still curious about 'em
Bacon slicer 2003

Bacon slicer 2005
____________________
Cheers.
^..^
L.W. - www.moonshiners.org.uk

[quacker_boy]

[anders]

Mucho fun to be had, nice one!

Glad you enjoyed it, well prepared too.

good one
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Call me Mr. Blobby