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Night Rider

Oliver Parsons tells of his nighttime bike hike to the Suffolk coast. Believe it or not, he enjoyed it.

By Oliver Parsons

23 Jul 2011, 11:04

This time last week I was steeling myself for my second Dunwich Dynamo.  It was a day of nervous anticipation as the weather went from heavy rain to sunshine and back again.  For a while I thought I was going to have to tell my friend I would be withdrawing.  In the end we set off from London Fields in Hackney at 8.30pm and didn’t feel a spot of rain all night.

For those that don’t know about the Dynamo, it is an overnight free to enter bicycle ride from Hackney to Dunwich on the Suffolk Coast, covering a shade under 120 miles.  This year was the 19th edition of the ride, which began after a group of couriers decided they wanted to strike out for the coast one Friday evening, whilst enjoying an ale on London Fields.  Dunwich seems a strange choice in hindsight, but it is steeped in history having been a major port during the wool trade and capital of East Anglia, however coastal erosion has seen the former city slip into the sea and Dunwich become a village.  

Last year I had taken up the challenge of the 2010 Dynamo, along with a couple of cycling friends.  I think it would be fair to say we were a little bit underprepared.  Each of us had only done a couple of rides in preparation, and nothing over the 50 mile mark.  It was tough going and the final 6 miles were done at a snails pace.  This year was going to be different.

Having become a keener cyclist over the last year I have many more miles in the legs, as did my friend, although we had lost the third musketeer (he claimed it was to a wedding, I think it was fear).  After a strong dinner of pasta followed by steak we were ready, and so we set off to London Fields.  At London Fields we were met with a mass of cyclists, all different shapes and sizes, some in lycra some in jeans, some on fixed gear some on mountain bikes.  It was an impressive number of people considering the weather (last year there were 1,500 riders, there could easily have been more this year).

After a quick pint and a scout round to see if there was anyone we knew we set off just after 8.30pm.  Out of London up through Epping Forest, there were so many of us it felt like a Critical Mass ride.  This is probably the most frustrating piece of the ride as there are some impatient drivers and many cyclists inexperienced at riding in such a large group, all fighting it out for supremacy on the road.  But it is also when everyone is in high spirits; with everyone nattering away there is a real camaraderie.  

Once out into the countryside the spirits remain high, and the light begins to dim.  Everyone begins to turn on their lights and there is a stream of blinking red lights up the road, a long train of cyclists all with a common goal.  Pacing is key early on, but what with the Tour de France in full flow you see the odd one fire off into the distance, only to find them collapsed in a hedge after 30 miles.  As you enter the villages of Essex you notice pockets of cyclists at every pub stopping to catch last orders and quick refreshment.

We took our first stop after about 30 miles, stopping at the same pub as we had done the year before, snacking on our flapjacks and bananas, whilst enjoying a great pint of IPA.  Then back on the bikes and into the night.  Now the darkness had fully descended and the mood amongst the pack changes, the chirpy chatting seems to disappear.  People are in their own space, turning the pedals and focused on the road ahead, some are beginning to struggle.  The night is quiet and all you can hear is the whirr of wheels and the changing of gears.

After 55 miles the village hall at Sible Hedingham acts as the feed station for the ride.  It is when you arrive here you realise the sheer numbers of people riding, the queue for food was enormous and we were pretty smug to have our own food, whilst it was possible to sneak to the front to grab a quick cup of tea to warm the spirit.  The stop also allows an envious glance at those who have a support van riding with them and waiting to provide provisions, and drive the weary riders home at the end.

Back into the night and the quietness continues and numbers begin to thin out.  You find yourself riding in small bunches now, with the smaller wiry riders leading up the hills and the bigger powerhouses driving the pace on the flat.  We continued to push along the route, getting passed and passing others.  You see the same riders again and again, as everyone rides in spurts as their energy levels rise and fall.  There was one particular chap in a London Pride jersey who seemed to be somewhere near us all along the route.

After another 30 or so miles we decided to have another stop in the village of Coddenham.  This left us with another 30 to the finish, we have split the ride down into 4 lots of 30 and it made it very manageable.   Coddenham is certainly a lovely looking place but at 3am it is the last thing you are thinking.  A can of redbull and my first every energy bar (it was disgusting by the way) and off we went again.

The final leg is characterised by the rising of the sun and the lifting of spirits.  The chatting begins again as people sense the finish.  Locals turn their gardens into early morning breakfast cafes and riders line the road queuing for an early morning bacon sarnie.  We ignored the temptation and powered on, through Peasenhall and over the A12 onto the finish.  

We arrived at the beach at 5.20 am after 7 hours 20 minutes in the saddle.  It is a relief, but it is also a massive buzz, a whole night to spend the morning on the beach.  It was colder than last year, but still we went for the obligatory swim before attempting to catch a few Zs on the beach.  Whilst lying there you hear the stories of the other riders, the newbies who can’t believe they have made it to the experienced old hands up at the café chatting over their coffees.  

After trying and failing to sleep for a couple of hours we decided to ride to Southwold.  Back on the bikes we realised this was a mistake and dived into the Ship Inn in Dunwich for some celebratory ales and lunch.  Then my friend’s Dad arrived and drove us away to the train to London and the sofa and television showing the days Tour stage.

The second Dynamo was far more pleasurable than the first.  This time the riding was a joy, last time it dragged.  Last year the highlight was the beach this time it was the road.  I will be returning to do it again, and I am sure many others will too.  I would recommend it to anyone, especially those who don’t ride these distances regularly.  You feel a great sense of achievement but if you are considering it next year make sure you get a few training rides in, it makes the ride a whole lot more fun.  And take food, lots of food!