Dunwich Dynamo

Bike checked, tick, Sarnies and snacks, tick, spares, lights and bottle filled, tick.

14.56 train to St Pancras from Harborough was running slightly late but was a seamless event with the bike and a helpful guard. Whilst waiting for Sophia and Judith at St Pancras Station I got to see many cyclists coming off the trains and heading to the exit, full of anticipation and excitement.

The three of us  made our way to Euston Road and started the surprisingly quiet ride to Hackney, using the C27 cycle lanes with car less streets and a cheery encounter with a recumbent rider.

Hackney fields!! where are all the bikes and riders? Had we got the correct day?

As we waited more and more riders with their steeds arrived ..phew!

Shortly after arrival we saw three Penny Farthings and a plethora of Bromptons going on their way early to avoid the rush and have a slower ride to the beach.

 Stuart arrived safely after cycling from Dunwich!  A strong headwind and two punctures en route hadn’t dampened his spirit and he set about fixing the again deflated rear tyre. Moments later Ali and Mark were easily spotted across the field  in their Yellow Welland Valley jerseys arrived having travelled down from Darsham on the train.

With food at the forefront of our minds we found pizza at a local market street restaurant. Franco Manco was busy with cyclists ordering freshly cooked pizzas which were readily needed by us all. Back to the park for the impromptu picnic and a chance for a few pre ride photos.

Then the off, passing the pub on the park which is synonymous with the start of the ride it was full of cyclists and bikes. Then we were riding out of London with many other cyclists all heading towards the quieter roads of Epping Forest.

Dusk was creeping up on us at our first water stop set up by local scouts, bottles refilled we were off again. Back out on the road we saw the many different styles of bikes some lit up with fairy lights, some with riders going all out to get to the beach the fastest they could.

We were passing and being passed by cyclists in their club jerseys including Brixton Cycles Club,  Den Haag Cyclo of the Netherlands and our friends from Ratae, and Leicester Forest Cycling Club

With darkness now fully enveloping the ride our second stop was at a local village pub swarming with cyclists and the smell of barbecue food. We stretched, drank coffee and refuelled on sweets and flapjack and were again ready to ride. Off again our small peloton swept along the country lanes passing through villages with locals waiting with encouraging words and cheers.

Red tail lights could be seen in the distance trailing up hills and the echoes of “clear” and “ale ale” could be heard.

Early morning hours were cold, jackets went on and conversation dwindled to the occasional check in with those in the group. Everyone was now knuckling down through the last 30 miles. Finally a sign which showed us the way to Dunwich. Sweeping down the final descent towards the already busy beach car park and ever growing queue for the cafe.

With the group re-fuelled and hydrated the conversation turned to the inevitable departure to our homes and much needed sleep.

A few words to sum up …

Sunrise, bikes, recumbents, penny farthings, fairy lights, fast Bromptons, smiles and the elation of making it all the way to the beach. Thats the Dunwich Dynamo, pure beautiful madness.

In all a thoroughly exciting ride with a great bunch of riders.

With Stuart doing “the double”, Sophia and Mark riding  the breakaway, Judith ‘the chair’ keeping us all in check and Ali handing out suspicious energy cubes! Strong riding from all with a perfectly executed arrival time for the sun rise which warmed our chilled fatigued bodies.

Same time next year?