Bearhugs and good cheer at the 55th Dragon Rally

Harry Stanistreet reports from this year’s Dragon Rally, which took place on a new campsite near Bangor.

Before setting off for this year’s Dragon Rally, I decided to stop off at the Giler Arms, on the A5 near Pentrefoelas, for the Bruce Pollard Memorial Rally.

Three evergreen BSA Bantams and their riders encapsulate the spirit of the Dragon Rally.

I’m glad I did, because the rally, this year held on Friday, January 10, attracts more riders each year, and is a friendly affair with French and German enthusiasts on their way to the Dragon swelling the ranks.

Although the weather was positively spring-like at times, this was short-lived because – much to the pleasure of the three-wheeled brigade, who were revelling at the thought of a ‘white’ Dragon – Saturday dawned with a good sprinkling of snow. Some of these riders, like Robin Davies from Newport, South Wales, had just returned from the Elephant Rally on his Moto Guzzi outfit and had been away rallying for the past three weeks!

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This year’s campsite was at a new location near Bangor, and after booking in and getting our customary soup, badge and goody bags, it was time to find a suitable spot out of the wind to erect the tent.

The sound of MZs invaded my spot, and I was joined by three pals from the MZ Riders’ Club, who soon got a fire going to warm our cockles.

Read more in the April issue of OBM – on sale now!

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