The Dunwich Dynamo is an annual semi-organised, through-the-night bicycle ride from London Fields park in Hackney, London to Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. I have always wanted to do it. 

A team from Oxted Cycling Club joined me. Nick, Neil, Stuart, Dave and his son; and another Nick - a friend of Stuart’s.

I rode to meet Stuart; his wife was driving to pick him up the next morning so she took my bag. I wasn’t coming straight back like the others. We caught the train from Oxted.

We hadn’t found second Nick yet

Once at London Bridge it was a short but very congested route to the Pub in the Park. We sat and chatted for a while and then at around 19:00 we set off. We were in a group of about twenty, many having different ideas about how to get out of London. It was a bit chaotic not helped by sometimes impatient Essex bound commuters. It was a relief to arrive at Epping Forest because the traffic eased off and the pace increased. I’d read that this section was a bit of a climb, but I didn’t notice much of a gradient. I guess we’re built differently in Surrey.

We had been passing small groups and single riders for some time; on a wide range of bikes. Some plucky souls were headed east on Bromptons. 

Some bikes were lit up or had big speakers pumping out rousing tunes. Many pubs had rows of bikes outside them already. After about 90 minutes we stopped at a scout hut and it was also packed. Neil and I decided to press on and wait for the others at the next one. But that was also full as was the one after that. We were making far better time than we realised. It was still light and the roads were almost empty of cars. When we finally asked a fellow DD’er after sunset where we were it surprised us that we’d covered almost 50 miles. He said Sudbury wasn’t far but the Firestation wasn’t open for food as it had been in the past. There might be somewhere open at around 60 miles but then nowhere until over 80. Sure enough Sudbury was closed, we’d also left getting food at pubs too late.

Eventually we had to settle for food at a McDonalds. The golden arches appeared at the right time, as did we. We placed our order when it was almost empty. By the time the food was ready the place was packed.

We only stayed long enough to eat and drink then moved on. The moon was out and the sky was mostly clear. With the temp still just right.

We were now catching and being caught by more serious cyclists. Loose groups formed and then broke up. So even though I was tired the pace was still good. I was really enjoying the ride; at times it felt like a closed road sportive. You had to stay on the correct side of the road but motor traffic was almost non-existent.

At around 80 miles we stopped at a village hall for our last coffee before the end. It was after this that my neck started to hurt. Maybe the slight chill in the air or the concentration needed to watch out for potholes was the cause. The roads had been well surfaced in the main, but a weak light meant I couldn’t be sure.  

Looking ahead was getting difficult and I slowed considerably. It was also tricky to know where Neil was. If we were in a group I had either red or white lights in my vision. It was impossible to keep a track of him. Eventually this combined with my lack of speed meant I lost him completely. 

So it was with immense relief that I saw the first sign to mention Dunwich. Just after this I heard Stuart call my name and I joined the main group for the final few miles to the coast.

We arrived before sunrise, in time for the beach photoshoot.

Firstly as a group, then a solo snap.

I joined the shorter of the two queues at the cafe to obtain coffee and cake.

The others started to prepare for their journey home.

I stood in a longer queue for a proper breakfast.

I was now in danger of slumping forward onto the plate so once consumed I made a move for the cottage. 

The sun was up and I felt revitalised. To my surprise I made good time. 

Maybe too good. Diss was still largely slumbering when I arrived. Second breakfast in a cafe gave me something to do, but it wasn’t long before my eyelids started to close. So I moved on; to a bench near the lake at the center of town.

I fell asleep for a few minutes, then went for a ride around some of the surrounding lanes. I sent a text to the cottage owner asking if I could check in early. He replied saying the cleaner was on her way but I could drop off any gear I wanted. I got rid of my bag and put my phone on charge for an hour. I didn’t want to risk staying longer in case the cleaner arrived to find me goldilock’ed on the couch. I went shopping for lunch and provisions. Then sat in the main square for a while. And promptly feel asleep again. To be woken by a woman on her way to the High Street, I assured her I was okay and she went on her way. I was woken again by the same woman sometime later as she headed home. I had to explain why I was so sleepy to convince her I was okay. I think she thought I was mad. But at least I’d now received a text to say the cleaner had completed her tasks and I could finally checkin properly. By the time I had showered and eaten dinner it was almost seven in the evening. So I went to bed.

Would I do it again? As I wandered around on Sunday the answer was no. When I woke on Monday the answer was probably.

Other things I learnt:

The front light I had was not up to the job. Next year I’ll have a better one. It doesn’t just have to be more powerful or good battery life; it needs a wider spread of light.

My rear light was okay, some others were too bright. When set to constant rather than flashing I was dazzled by them.

You definitely need the route on a headunit. I’d read that there are so many riders you just needed to follow the long line of red lights. I rode for long periods where it was just Neil and I or completely alone. I don’t know how you’d do it without a gpx file.

The food stops aren’t as frequent as I had believed. And they are very busy. 

The McDonalds past Sudbury looks like a drive-through only but does have a seating area, it closes at 11. Just a little further on there is a food stop.

It wasn’t as hard to stay awake as I’d thought, until I got to the beach. 

Arrange to be driven home or stay over like I did. Driving yourself isn’t be a safe plan. And riding back as some do must be incredibly tough.

If you do decide to ride and no one will join you; there is an area to meet other solo riders to form a group.