Welsh Dragon Raid 24/25/26th April 2009 Pembrokeshire

Hosted by Di Garland and the Rat team of Garlands Motorcycles. Open to Rat clubs around the country.
A group of us left Clacketts around 10.00am. The weather was great.

Alan Burns Worked out a route, which, apart from an initial run on the M25 & M3 took us on some lovely roads, avoiding the Seventh Bridge crossing. Up to Gloucester, through the Forest of Dean and the Breacon Beacon's, and on to our destination at Pembrokeshire Docks. A few partners of Rat members travelled up to join us.

The event was based at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel, with stunning views of the Claddau Bridge. Triumphs packed the car park of members who had travelled from all over the country. Garlands had a display of Classic Triumph's in the foyer of the hotel.

After signing in and registering to collect our Rat Packs which contained an event T-Shirt, mug, badge and routes for the Saturday's ride out,we were warmly welcome by other Rats, gathered by the bar, before forming a team to join in the traditional Rat quiz. Would you believe we came second!

Saturday morning unfortunately the weather had taken a turn for the worst. (Well, we are in Wales!) Riders set off in small groups at their leisure. The route took us via a selection of Pembrokeshire's historical castles. Pembroke, Manorbier, Carew and Llawhaden. Photographers we based at Carew Castle on route. Pack lunches were served back at the hotel around lunchtime. The weather lightened up in the afternoon. (That means it stopped raining!) After lunch there was an optional boat ride with a guided talk down the river to see the recent LNG programme.

For Saturday evening there was a three course meal served. A 40 strong male welsh choir serenaded us through our first course. After dinner a raffle was drawn and photos of the day could be purchased. Symphony Sid & the Swing Kings, an eight-piece band entertained us through the evening. In a corner of the dinning room were most of the Triumph models, available for you to sit on and look at. Included was the new Thunderbird. Wined, dined and worn out dancing, the evening came to close around 1.00am before we got to bed.

Sunday morning, everyone seemed to be up bright and early. Think a lot watched the Moto GP before heading for breakfast. All packed up around 10.30am, we said our goodbyes to new friends and to Di Garland and his team for putting on a fantastic weekend.

The sun came out for the ride back to Kent. On behalf of Keith, Tim, Adrian & Chris, Roland and myself, we would just like to say a very big thank you to Alan Burns for guiding us there and back safely and for finding some great roads to ride on.

Chrissy Bangay