In the 1960s the attendance at the Dragon sometimes topped 3,000 riders;[3] more recently the figure ranged from 1,500 to 2,000 depending on the weather and location.

But above all it must be held in the dead of winter when only men who are men would be interested and the softies would stay away" The article brought a flood of replies and soon another journalist, John Ebrell, was sent to North Wales to seek a camping site, with a view to publishing an article that would draw out potential organisers.

By a lucky coincidence, as he was scouting around North Wales, a letter arrived at the magazine from Lawrence Irving of the Conwy Club, offering to organise the rally.

In his February 1963 three-page article, John Ebrell wrote "By about midnight on Saturday, Conway Club [sic] officials packed up recording details of arrivals.

[7] Columnist Nitor commented that the organisational aspect was achieved by 35 club-members bolstered by 10 further volunteers, and that the spirit shown and atmosphere generated was akin to Douglas in the Isle of Man during TT race week.