DRAGON RALLY

Basking in the Summer sun at last years Yorkshire Pud, the idea of doing the Dragon seemed like one of the best I'd ever had.
Theakston's ale has got a lot to answer for.
Six months down the line after some of the worst Winter weather for yonks, Steve and I are parked up on the Woodhead pass having a fag and warming our hands on the bike engines.
Bizarrly enough I still thought this was a great idea.
A few miles on and the sun came out as we rode through Hollingworth. I spotted a cafe and decided a late breakfast was in order, purely to fortify us againt the cold.

Clear roads and great weather made for a great run all the way to Conwy. After a left turn at the picturesque Conwy castle we arrived at the checkpoint a couple of miles down the road.
With our tickets stamped and little smileys stuck to the headlamps we made our way to the rally site at Parc Glyn.
Pleny of rallygoers had already pitched by this time but there was plenty of room with the entire woods at our disposal. Great location I thought but I still half expected to find a few twig figures outside the tent come morning.
In case things got a bit boggin' we took the option of pitching near the entrance but still only a short walk up the hill to the essential three B's - beer tent, burger van & bogs.

Once our home from home was established we made our way to the beer tent to exchange our tickets for a welcome pack consisting of two choccie bars, beer coaster, sticker, whisky minature and the coveted Dragon Rally badge. Free soup and rolls were also being served up to take the chill off. All in all a very welcoming err..... welcome.
A quick sortie to the bar revealed beer, lager & cider all at £2.50 a pint. You can buy beer tokens in advance which helps keep congestion down at the bar.
Although only mid-afternoon a pleasant buzz was building up with Dragon veterans and newcomers alike happily getting along with the ease that always seems to come natural to bikers.
So with the site thoroughly recce'd and pocketful of beer tokens we ambled back to camp for a brew and a bit of grub before the evenings socialising and entertainment.
The local Welsh beer proved to be a fine investment and with tankard in hand it was time to indulge in what the Dragon is all about - sharing stories, talking about any old bollocks and making a bunch of new friends. It would be fair to say we entered into the spirit of it all with great enthusiasm.

As the temperature dropped outside we worked our way through the press of bodies to get a get spot near the stage in the beer tent. I was chuffed to bits when I spotted the name "Jalapenos" on the drumkit. Once they hit the stage it didn't take long for one of the best rally bands I've ever seen to get people bouncing about 'til after midnight.
Morning dawned with a thick layer of frost over the tents and bikes but this rapidly thawed as the sun shone through the trees. (No creepy stick figures in sight either). Leaving the site after saying our goodbyes to the neighbours we're already looking forward to the 50th Dragon next year.
Thanks to Conwy MCC for a great weekend, as they have done for almost half a century.

Ticket information for next year's Dragon Rally will be on the club website at http://www.conwymotorcycleclub.co.uk/

For pictures and stories from the Dragon over the years go to http://www.dragonrally.org.uk/

Wootton Bassett

We expected a good turnout as we arrived at Hullavington airfield but at 11a.m. there must have already been 10,000 bikes on the runway. We were parked up in orderly lines for what turned out to be a three hour wait before getting underway again. Although any chance of the timing of the run was out the window the rest of the organisation was spot on. Plenty of facilities and excellent weather made for a pleasant afternoon chilling out and chatting with various folk.
As two o'clock rolled around we were finally at the front of our row and ready for off. The rideout itself was being led by the local police who did an excellent job both leading the run and helping organisation on the airfield.
People were already out on the streets in the villages well before we reached Wootton Bassett but this still didn't prepare us for the reception in the town itself. The main street was jammed end to end with people cheering, waving and holding their hands out to be shook or slapped by passing bikers. I have to say this was one of the proudest moments of my life. What started out as a idea by 18 year old Elizabeth Stevens involving a few friends turned into a huge show of respect by around 15,000 bikers.
Too many times have the people of this town stood in silence as the fallen pass by. It was an honour and our pleasure to give them something to smile and shout about. Bikers are great believers in freedom, this is what our boys are fighting for. You all have our support and respect.

colne valley m.a.g. - Daft S.O.D's rally

Having missed their bash at the Green Dragon last year I was looking forward to Colne Valley M.A.G.'s relocated rally at the Guide Inn near Keighley.
After a very long and stressful journey through Huddersfax on a hot Friday afternoon we finally arrived at the pub and soon got pitched with other early arrivals and a few horses on the field above the pub.
Being a popular pub with bikers the bar was already filling up with rallygoers, locals and folks just calling in for a pint after a run out. Now I gotta say that the pub is in need of some renovation but the current tenants are trying to do the best they can. They serve good beer at very reasonable prices and I'm told the breakfast is good as well but I was a little too queasy in the morning to face one, mostly due to the good beer... etc.
Although the weekend was not exactly attended in vast numbers folks were friendly and up for a laugh and that's what counts. Once the beer kicked in and Friday's band Twist of Fate fired up a good time was being had by all. Great to see a band playing on the back of a wagon too, I always think there's something very rock n' roll with that.
A big thanks to Nigel for providing the Wychcraft after we were outed from the pub (in the nicest possible way) in the wee hours. This kept us happily talking bollox 'til about an hour before sunup.
Saturday dawned and it was gonna be a hot one. After very little sleep I crawled out of my tent for a brew to hear the annoying shortarse next door say "We going for a run mate?" Errr..... "Fuck off mate!" "OK, in a bit then?" "Yeah whatever," anything to shut him up.
Now Steve can get completely legless and still get up at insane o'clock in the morning, usually all bright and chirpy and wanting to go for a walk and get his morning paper. This never fails to piss me off. Anyhow, after an unsuccessful attempt at a run out we got a late brekkie/ early dinner then much to my satisfaction Steve crawled back in his tent and slept the rest of the day while I chilled out with the neighbours.
Due to a short but intense shower early saturday evening the bands equipment got a fair soaking on the back of the wagon but a bit of determination and improvisation got them set up in the marquee and another good night was had by all.
Thanks to all at Colne Valley MAG for a great weekend. http://colne-valley.mag-uk.org/

unwnted mcc's 6th Cock-Out rally

The hottest weekend of the year found us at sunny Shobnall, home of Unwanted MCC. This is the first Unwanted event we've made it to since 2008 and I'm impressed with the set up, a Rock Bar and a Social Club with plenty of room for camping.
After a strenuous afternoons sun worshipping it was time to top up on fluids and check out the bands. Most of the evening was spent chatting with friends old and new so we didn't venture inside the club until fridays headline Toxic Federation hit the stage. The temperature inside was just shy of a sauna but the energetic young band played a great set of 80's style rock with plenty of original material as well.
The sun blasting through the tent on Saturday morning meant that a lie in wasn't an option. After more sun worshipping I decided the sensible thing to do was to seek shelter. Fortunately there was a marquee in front of the bar - ideal. Even more ideal were the paddling pools set up on the grass so it seemed rude not join in.
More socialising and talking bollox followed in the evening along with much raising of glasses for Steve and Graham's birthdays. Blind Lemon finished the night's entertainment off with some excellent rhythm & blues and rock covers, leaving the stage to a huge round of appluase from the hot and sweaty audience.
Thanks to Unwanted MCC for a great weekend. A very sociable bunch of folks.
Visitors are welcome, check the website at http://www.unwantedmcc.co.uk/index.htm

A fghan Heroes homepage

BBC news & video

BBC pictures

Excalibur MCC Rally

One of my favourite rallies this one. Small, friendly and loadsa fun. Limited to 300 tickets, it's always a sellout.
I got my ticket well in time this year then halfway there realised it was still sat on a shelf back home. Luckily those well organsed Excalibur folks on the gate had a record of all names and tickets. Cheers to Steve for sorting things with 'em in advance and for pitching my tent.
Plenty of familiar faces here again this year, particularly the Road Jokers - once again getting the prize for best club turnout.
The marquee houses a proper bar with draught beers and some good cask ales at pub prices and the stage, with burger and pizza vans just a quick stagger away.What more do you need?
Over the past few years it seems that Excalibur have a knack for picking very good amateur bands for Friday night. This year saw the return of Skam, a bunch of young guys who play an incredibly good cover of Freebird as a climax to an excellent set. Saturday nights band the League of Mentalmen had to cancel, much to my dismay. A glam rock band (sorry, forgot the name) stepped in and fitted well with the Rocky Horror theme of the night.
Many thanks to all at Excalibur for another crackin' weekend. See ya next year! http://excaliburmcc.com/