What is the Dunwich Dynamo?

The Dunwhich Dynamo is an all night ride cycling event once a year, the course is approx. 200 Km in length and runs from the city of London, to the Suffolk Coast.

Although it was once a pay to enter event, it is now a free 'turn up and ride' event for all. It is always set on a Saturday night closest to a full moon in July.

Once you arrive at Suffolk, you then have the option to make your way back by your own means, 50 Km away is Ipswich which offers trains directly back into London, or you can choose to take the organised coach back, which you have to pay for via paypal:

http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/content/dunwich-dy...

Items you should take with you in a backpack:

Vaseline or other skin balm.

Extra layer of warm clothing.

Plenty of water.

2 or 3 energy snacks.

Money.

Spare batteries and a bike light if you don't own a dynamo.

Small towel if you plan on swimming. (Swim wear if you wish).

I would also recommend Bicycle wheel lights and a High Visibility Vest.

London School Of Cycling offer a 2 hour training session at the cost of £45 and £30 p/hr after that. They are trained on how to give signals to car users to alert them, and general technique needed for riding in the dark. Training takes place at 147 Amhurst Road, London E8 2AW.

They also offer a Bicycle maintenance class at the cost of £72 and six hours in length.

If you plan on doing this event and it is your first time, then I would recommend taking one, if not both of the classes.

If you do plan on taking part in this event, then good luck and best wishes!

The Dunwich Dynamo is an annual semi-organised, through-the-night bicycle ride from London Fields park in Hackney, London, England to Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. The distance is approximately 120 miles (193 kilometres).[1]

The ride (usually abbreviated to "Dun Run" or "DD") takes place overnight, hence "Dynamo". It is scheduled to take place on the Saturday night closest to the full moon in July, partly for tradition but also because it is easier to ride by moonlight.[2] The date for DD18 is 24 July 2010.

Following the popularity of the Dunwich Dynamo, overnight rides based upon it are being organised in other parts of the country

History

The ride originated in June 1993, when a group of bicycle messengers left London for a fun ride to the coast on fixed-wheel bikes, inviting members of the public to participate.[citation needed] The event was supported by a cycle shop, Mosquito Bikes of Essex Road, providing mechanical support and "controls" where riders had to check in to ensure no short-cuts. This arrangement continued for three further years. During this period the ride started from the Eastway cycle circuit rather than London Fields as at present..

Since then the ride has continued on an unsupported 'turn up and go' basis. The route was planned by the London School Of Cycling and organisation including the transport back from Dunwich at the end of the ride is arranged by Southwark Cyclists.

The 2006 ride had 700 participants but was marred by the death of a 38 year old participant, Andrew Rawling, in a head-on collision with a Ford Transit van in North Weald Bassett.[4] The organisers suggested that the 2007 ride could take the form of a memorial event, but Rawling's family requested that it continue as normal without any dedication, as they did not wish the ride he enjoyed to become a campaign or protest.[5] The number of participants has increased every year, to an estimated 1,000 riders in 2009.[6] 2009 was the first year that the ride was attempted - and completed - on a penny farthing

It's a through the night bike ride July 24th this year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunwich_Dynamo