micawber
All Weather Rider, well hard
No longer lurking in the shrubbery.
Posts: 151
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Post by micawber on Jan 22, 2009 16:05:40 GMT 1
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Post by Jaz66 on Jan 22, 2009 19:10:34 GMT 1
Hi Micawber Clicked on the dragon rally org link, vey interesting combination for a biker Freezing cold, middle of winter and camping overnight...  unfortunatley due to a prior engagement... (with a Warm radiator.. ;D ) I shan't be attending this years rally. I know ...southern softie..  But i did enjoy the honesty of this description.. lol, thats the kinda honesty i like. Not there for the glory of winning, just enjoys talking, plain old fashioned Bollox... ;D Jaz |
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micawber
All Weather Rider, well hard
No longer lurking in the shrubbery.
Posts: 151
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Post by micawber on Feb 18, 2009 1:57:08 GMT 1
I got to the Dragon Rally on the 7/8th Feb though as it transpired I didn't camp. I had booked this year because my 15 year old son had wanted to go to "see what it was like" (he has been to summer bike camping rallies). Then a few days before, he announced that he had plans for the Sunday. We agreed to go on Saturday and return the same evening, though I had qualms due to the weather earlier in the week.
I worked a 12 hour night shift on Weds, Thurs and Fri, went to bed on Saturday morning and got up at 1. Gathered together my gear, persuaded him to wear a few more layers, filled up with petrol then set off about 2:30.
Living in Cheshire, a trip to Anglesey in the summer is a nice afternoon's run there and back. Following the A54/A51/A55 we made good time before we stopped at a McDonalds on the A55 for a snack. Although there was snow about on the higher ground
there was nothing to cause us problems on the road and it was pleasant progress. We crossed the Britannia bridge into Anglesey at about 4pm and found the control caravan in a layby near Aberffraw. We followed directions and found ourselves at Anglesey Motor Racing circuit soon after. The setting was uplifting with snow covered mountains across the Menai Strait rising from sea level and reflecting the last of the light. Alas, no photos as it was too dark by this time. A group of riders from the South West told us that they had a difficult journey after crossing the Severn Bridge as there was still a lot of snow in South and Mid Wales. Still, the campers would have the consolation of that view when they woke in the morning.
After collecting our badges and rally packs we got ready to return home. My son wanted to go back the "interesting" way so we set off at 6pm recrossing the Britannia bridge and heading for Llanberis. There was snow all about and we felt the cold breath of the snowy mountainsides but again the roads were clear as we climbed. After descending the other side of Llanberis pass we joined the A5 and headed for Betws-y-Coed. We made steady progress and although it was quite dark now, the snow blanketed hillsides reflected a pearly light from breaks in the cloud. Not much traffic about, but I did suffer from glare due to salt crystals on my visor. We passed through Llangollen and stopped in a layby at Ffroncysyllte to stamp about and flap our arms to warm up. Then on to the A483 to Wrexham and the A534 Eastwards. A short stretch of the A51, country roads and then home for supper, shower and bed by 10pm. 223 miles round trip, on to reserve at 220 miles.
Micawber
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Post by Jaz66 on Feb 18, 2009 4:03:38 GMT 1
Hi micawber Blimey you got some stamina.. Working all those hours and then going of to the dragon.. Impressed. Note review of your journey, not very familiar with wales, but your description did draw me in. The mention of the bridge made me look it up  fine looking bit of country, by the way...  And the piece about stamping around at Ffroncysyllte trying to get the circulation going again, pure biking legend... ;D Its in the DNA to WANT to be that cold, just so we can stop for a cup of tea and a meat pie. ride safe. Jaz |
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JJ
Bad ass biker
MAD on BIKES
Posts: 417
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Post by JJ on Feb 18, 2009 15:33:06 GMT 1
WOW! Micawber, I am impressed  and sounds like you have a blast too despite the stamping around at Ffroncysyllte ! ;D And there's me fairly local and forgot all about the Dragon Rally  Glad you ENJOYED |
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Post by Hubcap on Feb 18, 2009 16:57:54 GMT 1
Camping in February.. that's a nutter's plan that!! Lmfao!
Quite glad I didn't go, too nesh for this camping in winter stuff! Plus it's probably a bit close to my grandmothers house for comfort.. lol!!
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micawber
All Weather Rider, well hard
No longer lurking in the shrubbery.
Posts: 151
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Post by micawber on Feb 18, 2009 17:23:26 GMT 1
My outing was just a stroll in the park compared with the trips some have made to get to the Dragon. There used to be a hard core of riders who would ride from all over Europe to get there, and no doubt still do. I am sure that some British and European riders will have attended the Elephant Rally in Germany (Elefantentreffen) before attending the Dragon a week later. I did them both in one year, many years ago, but it might be a bit much for me now. However, sometimes it is good to push your boundaries.
My recent trip wasn't exactly boundary-pushing but it felt good. I would have wished for more time to talk to people and to be able to take a few photos, but as my life is quite hectic at the moment I have to snatch what pleasures I can when I can. The bike ran faultlessly as expected, though is collecting some salt and muck.
That photo posted by Jazz66 shows the Britannia Bridge quite clearly. It has the A55 road on the top deck with the Chester -Holyhead railway running underneath on the lower deck.
In the background is Telford's elegant Menai suspension bridge carrying the London to Holyhead coach road (A5).
The photo seems to be looking across the Menai Strait to the mountains of Snowdonia from the island of Anglesey, which is itself relatively flat.
I was pretty fresh when I got home, but after sitting down and eating, it all caught up with me. I was totally knackered, and seriously overdrawn at the Bank of Sleep. Fortunately I was off till Monday night.
I hope I have sparked some interest, if not in winter camping, then at least in getting some fun out of your bikes at this time of year.
To put things in perspective, I would think that Everydaybiker probably does some similar mileage every day on his commute to and from work
Micawber.
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Post by Hubcap on Feb 18, 2009 17:46:45 GMT 1
I bow down to you hardcores, I've ridden in all sorts, frost, snow, hail, rain, and even sunshine! But if I don't have to go anywhere, chance is I probably won't when the weather's that bad, thankfully I only have to travel 7 miles to work!
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and sounds like you have a blast too despite the stamping around at Ffroncysyllte ! ;D
