Today’s ride will be something special. It’s right up there at the top of my bucket list of rides yet to do, second only to the London to Paris bike ride.
What am I on about? The Dunwich Dynamo.
The Dunwich Dynamo is a legendary night ride that starts in London and ends in Dunwich, a coastal village in Suffolk. It’s about 200 km (120 miles) long and happens every year on the Saturday closest to the full moon in July. It’s not a race; it’s a challenge. It’s a self-supported ride, which means participants are responsible for their own food, water, tools, and equipment. Numerous stops are available along the route for riders to rest, replenish supplies, and socialise. This self-sufficiency adds an extra layer of adventure and independence, encouraging riders to prepare and plan accordingly.
A group of London-based cycling enthusiasts first organised it in 1993 as a memorable challenge. The event draws inspiration from the legendary Dunwich-Southwold race held in the early 20th century. The Dunwich-Southwold race was a 10-mile event held in the early 20th century. It started in Dunwich and ended in Southwold. The ride began in 1904 and continued until World War I broke out in 1914. The race resumed in 1922 and continued until 1939, when it was cancelled because of the outbreak of World War II.
Over the years, the Dunwich Dynamo has evolved into a well-known and eagerly anticipated event, attracting thousands of participants each summer. The Dunwich Dynamo route starts at London Fields, a park in East London, and winds through picturesque English countryside, eventually reaching the coastal town of Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. The ride takes place overnight, beginning between 8pm and 9pm, around sunset, and, ideally, finishing at sunrise, adding an extra touch of magic to the journey.
I’ve wanted to do this ride since I heard about it a few years ago. The article said it was one of the most amazing experiences, riding through the dark countryside with hundreds of other cyclists, seeing the moonlight reflect on the fields and the sea, and feeling a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie at t the finish line.
I’m feeling nervous but also very excited. I know it will be tough, but I also know it will be fun. I’m looking forward to seeing the sights along the way, like Epping Forest, Saffron Walden, Sudbury, Framlingham Castle, and of course, Dunwich Beach.
I’ll be posting updates on Facebook throughout the ride, as well as a tracker, so you can follow me and cheer me on. But maybe not at 3 a.m.!
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