Post by: Wowbagger on 31 July, 2018, 12:29:19 pm
Any other takers? ;)
PS That's an "unofficial" date but I understand, without checking, that that is the nearest Saturday to the July full moon next year.
Post by: yorkie on 31 July, 2018, 06:55:32 pm
Post by: cycleman on 31 July, 2018, 07:30:14 pm
Post by: fixillated on 01 August, 2018, 11:36:24 am
Dunwich Dynamo XXVII
13 - 14 July 2019
At least no clash with Freecycle next year.
The nice ladies in Ipswich told us that Greater Anglia have ordered new trains without a dedicated carriage for bikes, that could get messy.
Post by: SpaceBadger on 03 August, 2018, 07:31:25 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 03 August, 2018, 10:54:01 pm
The nice ladies in Ipswich told us that Greater Anglia have ordered new trains without a dedicated carriage for bikes, that could get messy.
One option for those with a car/van:-
Drive out to Dunwich on Saturday morning.
Leave car there.
Get train back to London Saturday afternoon (with bike if you've not left it in London).
Ride Dunwich Dynamo (with added incentive that car is at the far end).
Arrive at beach with car nearby containing supplies, towels, food, drink, etc.
Have a doze and drive back home with no train hassles.
(The only time I've done DD I cycled back to London so I've never had to worry about transport issues apart from my own legs/willpower.)
Post by: rogerzilla on 04 August, 2018, 07:05:34 pm
I'll be there, if I can make the transport work again.Keep in touch - a work colleague and I are very keen to do it again. It may be that one of us drives the minibus (I'm old enough to have it on my licence, not sure if you get it these days) and we rotate in future years.
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 August, 2018, 07:09:48 pm
I'll be there, if I can make the transport work again.Keep in touch - a work colleague and I are very keen to do it again. It may be that one of us drives the minibus (I'm old enough to have it on my licence, not sure if you get it these days) and we rotate in future years.
As an aside, having lost my licence for medical reasons, if I have to reapply and get a different licence, I'm not covered to drive certain classes that I was. I have appealed against the decision so I don't know if that will allow me to keep my original (1976) licence and protect my status.
Post by: SpaceBadger on 05 August, 2018, 07:10:52 pm
I'll be there, if I can make the transport work again.Keep in touch - a work colleague and I are very keen to do it again. It may be that one of us drives the minibus (I'm old enough to have it on my licence, not sure if you get it these days) and we rotate in future years.
Will do. Have also PM'd you.
Post by: damerell on 05 August, 2018, 08:44:01 pm
Post by: rogerzilla on 19 September, 2018, 08:28:17 pm
Post by: freeflow on 20 September, 2018, 08:03:00 am
Post by: rogerzilla on 20 September, 2018, 10:27:25 am
I remember the organisers despairing at the amount of motorised transport this event now generates, but Dunwich is a bloody stupid place to end a ride!
Post by: trekker12 on 20 September, 2018, 01:13:22 pm
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/%E2%80%98dunwich-dynamo%E2%80%99-cyclists-must-book-ahead-reserve-cycle-space
Sunday 29 July - NO bikes will be allowed on trains between Lowestoft, Darsham and Ipswich, and Lowestoft and Norwich. This includes bike frames, bike parts and folding bikes. A special timetable will be in operation for Intercity services leaving Ipswich between 0900 and 1500, on which 50 bikes will be permitted to travel on trains to London. A special reservation will be required and be can obtained at www.greateranglia.co.uk/dunwich-dynamo-reservation. Booking closes at midday on Sunday 22nd July. All other routes will only allow the normal number of 4 bikes per train.
As an alternative to talking the train, cyclists are advised that the organisers of the event offer a coach and van return service to London on the Sunday which can be booked at https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/product/dunwich-dynamo-xxvi-2829-july-2...
Post by: trekker12 on 20 September, 2018, 01:21:26 pm
The nice ladies in Ipswich told us that Greater Anglia have ordered new trains without a dedicated carriage for bikes, that could get messy.
The new trains have six cycle spaces apparently
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/mock-new-greater-anglia-train-set-rail-depot
Post by: rogerzilla on 16 January, 2019, 09:44:00 pm
Post by: grams on 16 January, 2019, 10:47:00 pm
00:30 is the start/middle of the bulge. Expect long queues.
Post by: Redlight on 17 January, 2019, 11:01:50 am
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 January, 2019, 05:25:16 pm
Take some emergency supplies and then just stop where there looks to be space. There are so many extra little feeding stops along the way these days that it's unlikely that you'll starve. My approach is to start about 8.30, take it easy, and get to Dunwich just in time for breakfast at The Ship.
My approach is to start about 9pm, take it easy, and get to Dunwich just in time to see the last coach leave around 2pm.
Post by: rogerzilla on 17 January, 2019, 05:33:19 pm
Planning? I'm not sure you're quite entering into the spirit of things.Sible Hedingham was quiet at 2330 the last time I did it - just ahead of the pack. Is it less than an hour from there to Sudbury? I can't remember - maybe it's only 40 minutes. I know there are several miles of very slight climbing after Castle Hedingham.
00:30 is the start/middle of the bulge. Expect long queues.
I keep just ahead of the main pack* until halfway to avoid congestion and bastard flashing lights (I wish everyone would turn them to steady outside towns). After halfway the roads are always quiet anyway, because some people stop for ages and it generally slows down.
*more accurately, I overtake about 500 people between the start and Great Dunmow
Post by: grams on 17 January, 2019, 09:12:52 pm
Also IIRC they had a decent production line system for serving people, whereas Sudbury is just a big queue, and there's a limit to how fast they can churn out burgers.
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 January, 2019, 08:38:54 am
Post by: SpaceBadger on 19 January, 2019, 12:05:00 am
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 January, 2019, 12:07:25 am
Post by: Kim on 19 January, 2019, 12:09:50 am
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 January, 2019, 12:10:31 am
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 22 January, 2019, 01:33:15 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 January, 2019, 04:21:57 pm
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 January, 2019, 08:44:44 pm
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 22 January, 2019, 09:02:32 pm
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 January, 2019, 09:04:39 pm
*cheaper and less prone to flooding than the coastal towns, and has a 'Trose and a railway station
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 January, 2019, 09:17:43 am
And very close to My Mate Terry, who art a short distance away in Sibton.
Post by: alexb on 25 January, 2019, 02:37:29 pm
I'm seriously considering retiring to Saxmundham* just to make the Dun Run easier ;D
*cheaper and less prone to flooding than the coastal towns, and has a 'Trose and a railway station
I have a friend who lives on the green just at the entrance to Dunwich Heath, I know have the most incredible cooked breakfasts every year!
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 January, 2019, 08:11:09 am
Post by: whosatthewheel on 26 January, 2019, 01:26:28 pm
Trains from Diss to London any good? A bit more of a slog, but worthwhile if it avoids the hassle
Post by: yorkie on 26 January, 2019, 07:05:35 pm
As far as Diss is concerned, I *think* it was the usual number of bikes per train like normal. (Well, as normal as Anglia ever gets!)
If I go again this year (4th time in 5 years) I will undoubtedly do what I have done the previous 3 times and head on to Sheringham YHA as a 300km DIYxGPS. This entails a relatively early start (by Dun Run standards) to keep the latest possible finish time before the hostel closing time, but means that I don't have to worry about getting back to London!
** This was a new restriction brought in in 2018, the non-folding bike restrictions have been in place for several years.
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 January, 2019, 07:52:45 pm
Given that around 3000 people are expected to ride, a very small number will ride back, and Southwark Cyclists only reckon to shift 1000 people, that's a lot of cars turning up at the beach. I think the late Barry Mason used to lament this situation. It's become a monster.
Post by: Wowbagger on 27 January, 2019, 10:29:34 am
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 January, 2019, 07:50:17 pm
Post by: grams on 27 January, 2019, 07:59:45 pm
Given that around 3000 people are expected to ride, a very small number will ride back, and Southwark Cyclists only reckon to shift 1000 people, that's a lot of cars turning up at the beach. I think the late Barry Mason used to lament this situation. It's become a monster.I don't think there's *that* many people who don't get either the Ipswich train or the Southwark cyclists coach (or one of the various other coaches/vans). There's certainly not 2000 cars waiting at Dunwich Beach.
Three or four years back they tried putting on extra trains from Darsham for cyclists only with as many bikes as they could carry. Apparently it was a crowd control nightmare with people trying to force their way onto the normal service trains and queuing across the level crossing.
For a couple of years they allowed folding bikes onto the Darsham trains, but I understand there were one too many chancers claiming their bike was a folding one and getting arsey when refused.
He'll need to be there at 4am to get a seat in the tea room ::-)
I don't think the tea room up the road ever gets particularly crowded. The beach café doesn't serve anything worth going in for.
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 January, 2019, 08:43:50 pm
I really wouldn't want to ride in the main pack; there's not as much sport for the mouth-breathers in picking off riders earlier on, when they're more sparse.
Post by: grams on 27 January, 2019, 08:56:08 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 January, 2019, 07:48:23 pm
He'll need to be there at 4am to get a seat in the tea room ::-)
What, at Minsmere?
Post by: rogerzilla on 30 January, 2019, 08:31:39 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 January, 2019, 08:49:15 pm
Post by: rogerzilla on 30 January, 2019, 08:59:36 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 January, 2019, 09:12:08 pm
Their website says you might see a bearded tit at Minsmere ;D
A couple of years ago we went to Minsmere with My Mate Terry Who Art in Sibton, who is a shit-hot ornithologist. He and I were watching some reeds and getting the occasional sighting of bearded tits. His wife Janet made precisely the same joke as yourself, Mr. Zilla.
Post by: rogerzilla on 30 January, 2019, 09:22:37 pm
Post by: whosatthewheel on 02 February, 2019, 07:33:19 am
Post by: rogerzilla on 02 February, 2019, 09:54:39 am
Post by: SteveC on 02 February, 2019, 10:41:08 am
SO basically this was a ride to join 10 years ago and right now it's more hassle than it's worth... ::-)I seem to remember people saying exactly the same thing ten years ago (or more) when I vaguely considered going
Post by: Jurek on 02 February, 2019, 11:03:09 am
^
+1
My first was in 2007 (The wet one)
Since which time I've ridden it around five or six times, including four of us doing Adam's battery powered version (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36115.msg679457#msg679457) one October.
I think the last proper one I did was 2011 or 2012, by which time the appeal had, mostly, been lost.
Incidentally, I've said this before, but it was reading the late Barry Mason's FAQs for the Dun Run in 2006 that convinced me that I should buy a bike and get back into cycling, on the basis of 'This sounds great! I must do this before it gets too big and too out of hand, and someone with a large, decorated hat declares Risk Assesment! Method Statement! Insurance! Organisation!
And, sure enough, that's the way it has mostly panned out.
We are no longer welcome at the village hall in Great Waldingham or (latterly) Sible Headingham, for the half-way food stop where volunteers would serve up tea, cake and hot pasta dishes and you could sit in shelter at tables to eat and drink and recover your strengths.
Someone on Sible Headingham parish council is a petrol-head who doesn't like cyclists.
Allegedly.
Also, we left litter.
Allegedly.
Having been barred from using SH village hall as a half-way stop, (or having any formally recognised half-way stop) means that Patrick Field, of The London School of Cycling, no longer puts out the trail of lit candles in jars by the roadside, to guide you to your nocturnal feast.
The absence of these is a shame.
They were part of the attraction.
The flip side of the disappearance of the SH stop, and growth in popularity / notoriety of the ride means that each year more and more pop-up refreshment points have appeared.
From the Fire Station in Sudbury, to people serving up bacon butties or barbecues in their front gardens, to (one year, I noticed) someone had a yurt in their garden, offering massages (No, not that sort!).
Raising money for one charity or another appears to be the motivation behind this.
I'd say that this is mostly good.
In recent years, the advent of bluetooth speakers means that the attraction of the ride being mostly a silent one, is no longer there. As riders churn out their favourite motivational choons into the Suffolk night, it is little wonder that the ride is subject to some riposte from locals who's sleep is disturbed by cyclist's boom-boxes as the riders pass through rural hamlets.
IMHO sharing your fave choons, with locals who are sleeping is a bit of a shit and inconsiderate thing to do.
At Dunwich itself, The Flora Tea Rooms are now open from around 03:30 to welcome the sprinters.
The owners of The Ship pub have also got wise to the ride and these days they open early in the morning to serve a quality breakfast . They never used to open until normal licensing hours at noon. Booking your table is recommended.
And that last sentence, sums up everything about the direction in which the Dun Run has morphed.
Booking your table? Booking anything?
It is (used to be) a turn up and go ride.
Incidentally, pitching up on Dunwich Beach one October morning, when the four of us had ridden Adam's battery powered version of the ride, showed us what a totally different place Dunwich is, compared to the day when a couple of thousand cyclists descend on the place.
The car park is usually, absolutely rammed with cars belonging to dog walkers and bird watchers. None of whom get a look-in on the day we fill it with half a dozen coaches, a handful of furniture vans and numerous cars collecting spent overnight riders.
I wonder if anyone still does my Bovinger diversion to Moreton? In order to
A) Catch last orders at The White Hart or The Nags Head and
B) Catch out novices following me, causing them to miss the Bovinger left turn and career into the inky darkness of the A414 towards Chelmsford.
ETA -Incidentally, if anyone (including Wikipedia) tells you that the ride is 120 miles long, they are wrong.
If they've clocked up 120 miles it is probably because they've been lost.
It's just shy of 113 miles from London Fields to Dunwich beach.
Post by: Kim on 02 February, 2019, 12:18:48 pm
That's about the size of it. Of course, some people are attracted by the huge numbers.
The huge numbers, or at least the sheer diversity of the riders, is the main attraction. Otherwise you've just got a ride that's a bit too long to be sociable but a bit too short to be an audax, that goes to the earwig-infested middle of nowhere via some of the nastier bits of That London and a whole load of places with the same name that don't have any 24 hour services. If those are your criteria there are all sorts of more interesting, or at least logistically easier, destinations.
The flip side of that diversity is that you get all the main flavours of prats on bikes - from potheads with no lights or food, through commuters with strobe-o-vision FRIKKIN LAZERS and sodcasting phones, to the London Dynamo peloton.
All things being equal, the Fridays (and indeed YACF) do it better. But the size of the thing gives it novelty value.
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 February, 2019, 12:25:16 pm
Rebecca, whom I first met at the start of the 2016 Dun Run and we then spent the hight together, along with Ruthie OTP, is hoping to do it again this year but starts a new job on Monday which may well impinge upon her time as it involves a lot of foreign travel. I will try to get there, and possibly ride back with tent.
Oh, R told me on Weds that she has a pal who lives in Dunwich so there may be accommodation for the first night.
Post by: Redlight on 02 February, 2019, 02:15:16 pm
SO basically this was a ride to join 10 years ago and right now it's more hassle than it's worth... ::-)I seem to remember people saying exactly the same thing ten years ago (or more) when I vaguely considered going
First time I rode it was 1997 and there were people grumbling then that it had gotten too big ::-)
Post by: rogerzilla on 02 February, 2019, 03:24:21 pm
I only remember two Sible Hedingham stops - 2005 was Monks Eleigh, 2006 was Great Waldingfield, 2007 I never made it that far but I think was Great Waldingfield, 2008 was Lavenham, 2009 was Great Waldingfield and 2010 and 2012 were Sible Hedingham. Not sure about 2011, probably Sible Hedingham again.
I think the traditional halfway stop was crushed by numbers more than anything else. Great Waldingfield village hall, which I think was the traditional stop before I started riding them, isn't in a particularly populated area (the others are). Sible Hedingham was a little bit hard to find, not being on the route.
Post by: Jurek on 02 February, 2019, 03:36:51 pm
112.7 miles, measured in 2006 with a painstakingly calibrated bike computer. That includes the alternative route to Moreton, presumably the same as Jurek's...I go that way because it's quiet enough for a slash - on early July runs, you get a nice view of the sunset from the preferred field - and also because the official route funnels everyone into a ridiculously narrow lane, where it just grinds to a halt.My bold.
I only remember two Sible Hedingham stops - 2005 was Monks Eleigh, 2006 was Great Waldingfield, 2007 I never made it that far but I think was Great Waldingfield, 2008 was Lavenham, 2009 was Great Waldingfield and 2010 and 2012 were Sible Hedingham. Not sure about 2011, probably Sible Hedingham again.
I think the traditional halfway stop was crushed by numbers more than anything else. Great Waldingfield village hall, which I think was the traditional stop before I started riding them, isn't in a particularly populated area (the others are). Sible Hedingham was a little bit hard to find, not being on the route.
'Zactly.
I have a several of ride data declaring it to be 112.8 miles.
I'm not going to quibble over the difference. ;)
Post by: rogerzilla on 02 February, 2019, 03:56:48 pm
Post by: Kim on 02 February, 2019, 03:58:36 pm
Post by: whosatthewheel on 02 February, 2019, 04:14:18 pm
Amusingly, the drag of a hub dynamo on the Dun Run, often quoted as "only" like climbing 10 feet per mile, is like climbing Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds, from sea level, when those with battery lights get to go round it.
As long as you don't go up via Bushcombe Lane, I don't see the issue... ::-)
Post by: SpaceBadger on 02 February, 2019, 05:14:20 pm
Like many things in life, a very small minority became more memorable for the wrong reasons, but I'm really looking forward to going back again in 2019.
Post by: rogerzilla on 02 February, 2019, 05:39:09 pm
Like many things in life, a very small minority became more memorable for the wrong reasonsAh, Dulwich Paragon!
Post by: Jurek on 02 February, 2019, 06:38:09 pm
And London Dynamo, methinks.Like many things in life, a very small minority became more memorable for the wrong reasonsAh, Dulwich Paragon!
Post by: yorkie on 02 February, 2019, 07:07:39 pm
They are nowhere near as bad as Dulwich Paragon! Especially the 2015 and 2016 versions! 2018 was **much** nicer in that respect. (I didn't ride in 2017, went to the French Alps instead!)And London Dynamo, methinks.Like many things in life, a very small minority became more memorable for the wrong reasonsAh, Dulwich Paragon!
Post by: grams on 02 February, 2019, 07:22:29 pm
And, sure enough, that's the way it has mostly panned out.
Not really, some things have got worse, some things have gotten much better. Sure, if you focus hard on the negatives you can convince yourself it sucks now.
(my understanding is the Sible Hedingham hall stop ended in part because it'd become redundant due to the number of other places open. To me the most remarkable thing is the council *ever* allowed it...)
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 February, 2019, 10:44:15 am
Post by: damerell on 27 February, 2019, 04:14:15 pm
When I rode the DD two years ago it was definitely the worst I've done. Apart from a brief spell between Great Bardfield and Bilderstone, when I had Damarell for company, I rode alone.
I did manage to plug around last year, perhaps by taking a slightly more sensible bike, then had a couple of pints of breakfast in the Ship and limped down to Lowestoft; I'll bring the same slightly more sensible bike this year so I might be slightly more company.
Post by: rogerzilla on 16 April, 2019, 05:44:49 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 April, 2019, 07:59:55 pm
Three months to go. I'm bricking it ready. Don't know whether to take the yellow Harry Quinn commuter fixie or the Moulton. I'd really like to take the track bike but it (being a bona fide track iron) has no bottle mounts. Not insurmountable though. Pun intended.
Why is a fit young thing like you "bricking it" when a gnarly old slowcoach like me thinks "This is going to be fun!"?
I shall be on my Bach choral course at St. Andrews Uni some 10 days after the DD. At the moment I'm toying with the idea of taking camping kit and cycling as far as I can towards Scotland in the time. Probably doable at about 45 miles per day.
Post by: Jurek on 18 April, 2019, 08:36:58 pm
Werd.Three months to go. I'm bricking it ready. Don't know whether to take the yellow Harry Quinn commuter fixie or the Moulton. I'd really like to take the track bike but it (being a bona fide track iron) has no bottle mounts. Not insurmountable though. Pun intended.
Why is a fit young thing like you "bricking it" when a gnarly old slowcoach like me thinks "This is going to be fun!"?
I shall be on my Bach choral course at St. Andrews Uni some 10 days after the DD. At the moment I'm toying with the idea of taking caping kit and cycling as far as I can towards Scotland in the time. Probably doable at about 45 miles per day.
Post by: BFC on 23 April, 2019, 05:03:42 pm
Three months to go. I'm bricking it ready. Don't know whether to take the yellow Harry Quinn commuter fixie or the Moulton. I'd really like to take the track bike but it (being a bona fide track iron) has no bottle mounts. Not insurmountable though. Pun intended.It's surprising what you can get away with on a track bike - once the sun goes down so do the temperatures - water requirements reduce a lot on the overnight sessions, assuming you are properly hydrated before setting off. Have water with you in a lightweight rucksack or saddle pack and be prepared to pause on the ride.
You will need a front brake - when mixing it with geared and other machines/riders you need to match their ability to stop. The DD is a mix of riders many of whom are not used to group riding or night rides, avoid the wandering wheels even if they are a tempting tow. Ride to a pace that your lighting supports, don't blame someone else when you ride through a pothole.
The DD runs through flint country - velodrome tyres are not recommended! - and the velodromes don't like you running flint laden tyres on their track afterwards.
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 April, 2019, 10:48:45 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 May, 2019, 08:27:10 pm
Post by: SpaceBadger on 13 May, 2019, 09:04:26 pm
Post by: Mango Smith on 16 May, 2019, 06:47:01 pm
Post by: GavinC on 18 May, 2019, 01:39:52 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 May, 2019, 04:35:43 pm
Post by: EllysH on 31 May, 2019, 10:24:54 pm
Bagged myself a 12:43 ride home, added the cheap insurance on top, that way now if I cancel I get most my money back.
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Post by: Wowbagger on 31 May, 2019, 10:31:53 pm
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 June, 2019, 02:50:51 pm
Post by: SpaceBadger on 24 June, 2019, 09:23:34 pm
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 June, 2019, 08:42:32 pm
I did it in 2012 with no map or GPS and didn't put a foot wrong, but it was a clear night; a bit of fog or rain and it all goes to hell. 2005 was super-foggy in Epping Forest and around Kettleburgh.
Post by: Kim on 26 June, 2019, 08:44:12 pm
Post by: andrewc on 26 June, 2019, 09:04:18 pm
My plans involve taking it easy on a fully loaded touring bike and carrying on up the coast.
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36122.msg679640#msg679640 Avoid the COR. It wasn't funny.
Post by: Kim on 26 June, 2019, 09:14:30 pm
My plans involve taking it easy on a fully loaded touring bike and carrying on up the coast.
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36122.msg679640#msg679640 Avoid the COR. It wasn't funny.
Noted, thanks. Reckon it's going to be at least a month before my off-road sense of humour returns.
Post by: andrewc on 26 June, 2019, 09:21:00 pm
https://www.uktravelandtourism.com/towns/camping-and-caravanning/england/suffolk/cuckolds-green-id10255/field-farm-fisheries-and-campsite-id3067
Post by: Wowbagger on 27 June, 2019, 09:41:48 am
My plans involve taking it easy on a fully loaded touring bike and carrying on up the coast.
You are doing the DD this year? How spiffing!
Neither of my plans A nor B have yet obtained any degree of firmness. I am still hoping that Rebecca NOTP is upfrit on a tandem but she has employment and family issues that might impinge.
It sounds as though Team Slow needs to be reconvened.
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 July, 2019, 10:36:03 pm
Seriously, if anyone does fancy doing the Dun Run without the hassle of having to get a bike back to London (Dez is going to meet me in the car and drive me and the tandem back to Saarfend. There won't be room fr any other passengers) then let me know. You are advised to provide your own saddle - unless you are comfortable with a Lady Gel Flow. After getting to the beach I will drop you off at Darsham station.
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2019, 10:53:22 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 July, 2019, 11:09:30 pm
Thankfully for Team Slow, I think teethgrinder is otherwise engaged...
I also put a feeler out on FB with the proviso that I was going to be slow and have refreshment stops.
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 July, 2019, 09:05:44 am
Thankfully for Team Slow, I think teethgrinder is otherwise engaged...
I also put a feeler out on FB with the proviso that I was going to be slow and have refreshment stops.
After a rigorous selection procedure, it now looks as though some random bloke named Brian will be my stoker for the Dun Run. His Facebook personal photo is of a snail, which is a good start. We are interviewing one another on Wednesday. Brian works in London pretty close to Fenchurch Street, and I will meet him at Southend Central and we will do a trial Barling Loop. He has done the Dun Run a couple of times before and in 2013 posted a Go-pro video of his experiences.
Post by: Gattopardo on 05 July, 2019, 04:36:17 pm
Any idea what time people are arriving?
Post by: Kim on 05 July, 2019, 05:07:47 pm
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 July, 2019, 06:36:29 pm
Post by: Tomsk on 06 July, 2019, 06:19:51 am
Post by: Gattopardo on 06 July, 2019, 06:10:39 pm
Post by: EllysH on 06 July, 2019, 06:12:50 pm
Guess who thought that today was the 13th?Oof. You?
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Post by: Jurek on 06 July, 2019, 06:23:43 pm
Guess who thought that today was the 13th?Did you actually go to London Fields?
Post by: Gattopardo on 06 July, 2019, 06:36:23 pm
Guess who thought that today was the 13th?Oof. You?
Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk
Maybe....
Did you actually go to London Fields?
Almost, crinklylion saved me, as I texted to say I was looking forward to seeing kim later today. Crinklylion pointed out I was wrong about that ;)
Post by: EllysH on 06 July, 2019, 06:39:23 pm
Oh thank god.Guess who thought that today was the 13th?Oof. You?
Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk
Maybe....Did you actually go to London Fields?
Almost, crinklylion saved me, as I texted to say I was looking forward to seeing kim later today. Crinklylion pointed out I was wrong about that ;)
If you'd both turned up that would have been horrible.
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Post by: Jurek on 06 July, 2019, 06:41:50 pm
A close shave.Guess who thought that today was the 13th?Oof. You?
Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk
Maybe....Did you actually go to London Fields?
Almost, crinklylion saved me, as I texted to say I was looking forward to seeing kim later today. Crinklylion pointed out I was wrong about that ;)
Save it until next weekend, grasshopper.
I may try to make it up there using the ginger line and The Ridiculous Brompton.
Just for the LOL's.
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 July, 2019, 06:58:34 pm
Post by: Kim on 06 July, 2019, 07:05:18 pm
Post by: alexb on 09 July, 2019, 10:00:59 am
I've sent them a begging e-mail, let's see what happens.
Post by: PaulR on 10 July, 2019, 07:46:15 am
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 July, 2019, 10:27:33 pm
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/66283248_2311892449129951_387664001540030464_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_eui2=AeGTMp0wxbDRyS2dK42Vw5trYkMyXKV306wO3O8JGj6fksIGiBOM_eQ291gVjz2MwCyvakFyEN8qHu4WlfdpRUWYc9D1PP1sNVKoDVMSE-P4NQ&_nc_oc=AQmdkr6qKraQR88KpTEI366Aup5YEjLDgIgIadrVXabL2HBNHTmruFXoaaxM0-b9Giw&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr3-1.xx&oh=899b74a9bb94e761687d0b079d66fa97&oe=5DB4AEE0)
I think we are on!
Post by: Kim on 10 July, 2019, 10:40:32 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 July, 2019, 10:45:42 pm
We need to find out if we can put the tandem in the car and still leave a space for a 3rd passenger (Dez's chap). That's a game of tetris for tomorrow.
Post by: Kim on 10 July, 2019, 10:53:49 pm
Yes, my plan is to hang around for a bit at the beach, then trundle off to the campsite on Sunday afternoon, and carry on up the coast on Monday after plenty of sleep.
Post by: GavinC on 11 July, 2019, 06:38:10 pm
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2019, 07:17:11 pm
Current forecast is for a low of about 12, which is the point where I start thinking that socks might be a good idea.
Post by: grams on 11 July, 2019, 07:18:41 pm
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2019, 07:27:28 pm
Post by: GavinC on 11 July, 2019, 07:46:46 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 July, 2019, 08:18:38 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 July, 2019, 10:18:08 pm
Furthermore, there's a Podpoint rapid charger at the Budgens just along from Darsham station so Dez can, if need be, top the car up there.
I think I will probably make some flapjack and some marmite butties.
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2019, 10:34:08 pm
Post by: Jurek on 12 July, 2019, 01:20:19 pm
Post by: alexb on 12 July, 2019, 01:54:07 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 July, 2019, 03:19:30 pm
This (https://rebellion.earth/event/extinction-rebellion-east-london-uprising/) could be an interesting mix in London Fields tomorrow....
You can guarantee that XR will be massively supportive of people travelling over 100 miles with negligible CO2 emissions (I make no such comment regarding methane...). If they can close the Lea Bridge Road to motorised vehicles that would actually be Very Good Indeed.
In other news, it is now established that a Thorn Raven Discovery tandem with S & S couplings will fit in the back of a Nissan Leaf and leave room for 1 back seat passenger provided both seatposts are removed. It is left to the reader's imagination as to whether the seatposts are removed from the tandem, the car or the passenger.
Post by: Jurek on 12 July, 2019, 05:56:45 pm
The road through Epping Forest however.....
Post by: Adam on 12 July, 2019, 06:02:04 pm
I can't understand why the Dunwich Dynamo goes through Epping Forest. For my recent London to Cambridge FNRttC, I went through Chigwell, past Stapleford Airfield, and then up to Moreton, and then points north. Much nicer and with the added bonus of no traffic.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 July, 2019, 06:15:23 pm
I was just about to say the same.
I can't understand why the Dunwich Dynamo goes through Epping Forest. For my recent London to Cambridge FNRttC, I went through Chigwell, past Stapleford Airfield, and then up to Moreton, and then points north. Much nicer and with the added bonus of no traffic.
*consults map*
Post by: Adam on 12 July, 2019, 06:24:41 pm
*consults map*
The full FNRttC route is at:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29127270
it includes a lovely shortcut over the tube line between Woodford and Woodford South.
Post by: Phil W on 12 July, 2019, 06:31:47 pm
Post by: grams on 12 July, 2019, 06:36:59 pm
There are far more riders than can reasonably be accommodated by the Lea Bridge Road cycle track (or more specifically, the amount of green time it gets at junctions), so the road being closed to traffic would still be excellent.
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2019, 06:44:21 pm
Because being shouted at by drunks in Epping is part of the tradition.
Indeed. I don't recall Epping being particularly unpleasant in any other sense (the bad driving seems to mostly happen on Lea Bridge Road), and there's a safety-in-numbers effect. The main hazard seems to be unpredictable behaviour by other cyclists.
There are all sorts of ways you could improve the Dunwich Dynamo (changing the destination to somewhere vaguely practical, for a start), but then it wouldn't be the same ride.
Post by: Jurek on 12 July, 2019, 06:45:54 pm
On the Lea Bridge Road cycle path, once you've passed the ice rink, and before you get to the cyclist/pedestrian bridge, just beyond the digital-laser (I kid you not) cyclist counter display, turn left and cross Walthamstow Marshes using the tarmac'd path (Unless you are riding in a group, don't do this after dark - it is unlit, and is known for attracting aggro).On the plus side, this is the part of my commute where I get to see horses, cows and all manner of water-fowl - which isn't bad when you consider that all of my commute is within London postcodes.
At the end of the path, go through the car-park and turn right onto the traffic-free Coppermill Lane.
Take your first left onto Edward Road.
At the end of Edward Road turn left, and turn right at the lights by Blackhorse Lane Tube Station.
From the point where I started to describe this route, this is the first time you'll encounter anything like traffic.
Follow this, the A503/ Forest Road all the way to the end, where you'll re-join the traditional Dun-Run route at the big roundabout which crosses the North Circ - the one with a cattle grid as you exit it.
Post by: Jurek on 12 July, 2019, 06:47:31 pm
Because being shouted at by drunks in Epping is part of the tradition.My bold.
There are far more riders than can reasonably be accommodated by the Lea Bridge Road cycle track(or more specifically, the amount of green time it gets at junctions), so the road being closed to traffic would still be excellent.
Fair point
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 July, 2019, 06:50:50 pm
I was just about to say the same.
I can't understand why the Dunwich Dynamo goes through Epping Forest. For my recent London to Cambridge FNRttC, I went through Chigwell, past Stapleford Airfield, and then up to Moreton, and then points north. Much nicer and with the added bonus of no traffic.
That is a very neat way to get to Moreton. Adds a little distance but probably loses some climbing.
Post by: Jurek on 12 July, 2019, 06:56:23 pm
Because being shouted at by drunks in Epping is part of the tradition.
Indeed. I don't recall Epping being particularly unpleasant in any other sense (the bad driving seems to mostly happen on Lea Bridge Road), and there's a safety-in-numbers effect. The main hazard seems to be unpredictable behaviour by other cyclists.
There are all sorts of ways you could improve the Dunwich Dynamo (changing the destination to somewhere vaguely practical, for a start), but then it wouldn't be the same ride.
My bold
I think that is key.
Part of the charm is the 'struggle' to ride 112 miles in the night.
Another part of the charm is to get yourself home from the middle of nowhere (with the public transport odds stacked against you) the following morning.
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 July, 2019, 08:00:16 pm
https://youtu.be/wpdwL74_4Qw
Post by: robgul on 12 July, 2019, 09:03:06 pm
Sime of Sam Walker's best work here:
https://youtu.be/wpdwL74_4Qw
Brilliant - have to say I always thought Sam/Scott's (whatever he called himself way back when) writings and ramblings were crap - but the film is really clever.
Rob
Post by: robgul on 12 July, 2019, 09:24:06 pm
- BUT have to say if I was doing it again I'd head off to the east of the B?? (i.e. the old A11) at Woodford Green and go via Chigwell and Abridge and past Stapleford airfield to Passingford Bridge and to Ongar to join the usual route.
My youth was spent living at Buckhurst Hill and cycling many a mile in the area I am suggesting - in those days the main Epping road wasn't busy at all and Epping itself was pretty quiet in the evenings. TOWIE has a lot to answer for in that area of the county :-(
Rob
Post by: grams on 12 July, 2019, 09:29:52 pm
Post by: darkpoint on 12 July, 2019, 09:53:28 pm
Will play it by ear and see what happens. Will look out for you lot.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 July, 2019, 10:58:24 pm
I am planning on joining the ride tomorrow, but haven't sorted out how I am getting home. I was hoping to get the train back from Ipswich, but see I have missed the cut off for the booking system for that.
Will play it by ear and see what happens. Will look out for you lot.
My stoker (NOTP) has a ticket for the bus but no bike to take back. I cannot speak for him but you may be able to negotiate something if you find us at London Fields. If things go true to form we will be drinking beer from the Pub in the Park and possibly consuming chow mein from the Vietnamese restaurant round the corner. We are meeting at Lpoo St at 5.40 is so hope to be at London Fields soon after 6.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 12 July, 2019, 11:16:19 pm
If you see someone riding this contraption (https://www.instagram.com/p/BnM8HzDBLvx/?igshid=1bnrrqczpq6sc), or more likely puzzling over it with a soldering iron and a multimeter, do say hello.
Pretty, but is that road legal?
J
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 12 July, 2019, 11:20:44 pm
Post by: quixoticgeek on 12 July, 2019, 11:31:41 pm
Does that matter? The vast majority of riders will have illegal lighting.
Most bike lights, by the letter of the law are illegal, as they do not meet BS6102/3, or equivalent EU standard (i.e. Stvzo). This is well known, and it is usually accepted that most police a) don't know this b) don't care. But where a is not true, for b to be true, the lights have to be sufficiently non obnoxious, and generally of the right colour. Some grumpy cops may feel that the blue, and green lights, being colours that are reserved for specific vehicles under UK traffic laws (Emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance, Bomb Disposal, mountain rescue etc...), and Doctors, respectively). As such having flashing lights in those colours may cross the line upon which b is no longer true, and thus problem arises.
So, at risk of me having yet another rant at someone on a forum suggesting answering my question with "does it matter?" or words to that effect. Yes it does fucking matter, else I wouldn't ask it in the first place. I am curious, thus I ask, thus it matters to me. You may not have any interest in the information that may be gained from the asking of such a question, that's fine, go ride your bike and leave those of an inquisitive disposition to ask questions we would like to ask.
J
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 12 July, 2019, 11:36:43 pm
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2019, 11:41:05 pm
I suspect if you asked the average British police officer, they'd just be glad you were lit.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 12 July, 2019, 11:46:19 pm
The lighting isn't legal, as you knew when you asked the question. Why ask it?
"Yeah, in this party mode it's not road legal, which is why I press this switch here, and on the road, it exhibits this behaviour, which while by the letter of the law is not legal, no cop is going to nick me for it. But for messing around off the road, at the start and finish, it looks cool, and it means you can find me!"
or
"wait, what, shit, hadn't realised that, thanks for the heads up"
You knew that the asking of the question mattered to me, why did you ask if it matters?
I've seen plenty of people use multi-coloured auxiliary lighting (flashing valve caps, disco clothing, electrolumiescent wheel wire, glow sticks, Christmas lights, LED pacman characters, etc) in the presence of police on night rides and winter Critical Mass without any kind of issue. As ever, having reasonably compliant primary lighting and - crucially - not doing anything the police might have a more serious reason to object to, seems to suffice.
I suspect if you asked the average British police officer, they'd just be glad you were lit.
As with many things it's context. Ride down the embankment cycle lane on your own light up like a rainbow, and the police are likely to suggest your should perhaps try to be closer to the letter of the law. Turn up with 40 friends, and then they are going to just keep an eye on you to make sure you're having a good time and not about to start a riot. Aka, critical mass... But won't care. Context matters.
I know one UK based owner of a Bakfiets, who has fancy lighting on it, but has made a point of not using Blue when on the road, so as to not attract unwanted attention.
J
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2019, 11:51:27 pm
The blue-means-emergency convention pretty much broke when early 'white' LEDs became available. Now half the cars on the road (and more than half the bikes) have headlights that might pass for an emergency vehicle in a brief glimpse in a mirror. And nobody gives a shit about green. After a near-miss with a numpty in a canal tunnel, I do think that keeping red and white at the appropriate ends of your vehicle is prudent (even if my own ability to discriminate the colour of point sources of light has been demonstrated using SCIENCE[1] to be no better than random guesswork)...
Of course, this is BRITIAN I'm talking about. Attitudes and practice will vary.
[1] I participated in a colour vision research study when I was a PSO.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 12 July, 2019, 11:55:09 pm
On the odd occasion I've strung random decorative lights from my bikes, I've either stuck to something on the orange/yellow/warm-white spectrum with this in mind, but I think that's mostly paranoia.
The blue-means-emergency convention pretty much broke when early 'white' LEDs became available. Now half the cars on the road (and more than half the bikes) have headlights that might pass for an emergency vehicle in a brief glimpse in a mirror. And nobody gives a shit about green. After a near-miss with a numpty in a canal tunnel, I do think that keeping red and white at the appropriate ends of your vehicle is prudent...
Round these parts, getting the colours the right way round is something the cops care about. And they care about an absence of lighting, for about 1 week, in September...
When I used to drive a delivery van into central London everyday, I particularly hated the run up to xmas and all the blue xmas lights. I kept thinking there were emergency vehicles everywhere, but it was just the lights in front of that house catching my mirrors...
J
Post by: grams on 13 July, 2019, 12:04:53 am
As with many things it's context. Ride down the embankment cycle lane on your own light up like a rainbow, and the police are likely to suggest your should perhaps try to be closer to the letter of the law.
The police are most likely to be entirely absent due to budget cuts. The kind of police that might have time to stop for a friendly chat with about correct bicycle illumination just don't exist here anymore.
Post by: Kim on 13 July, 2019, 12:07:24 am
And then there are the baraktas of this world, who can have serious medical consequences from exposure to such things. Christmas lights have become an oppressive migraine hell for her, between the capacitive droppers, the PWM and the deliberate low-frequency flashing.
(Incidentally, at least one of the FNRttC regulars has some sort of powerful front light that PWMs in the hundred hertz range. I've noticed every blade of grass, pebble, etc, doing an imitation of the warp drive engaging when they come up behind me. Who thought that was a good idea?)
Post by: damerell on 13 July, 2019, 03:40:07 am
I did, however, get a replacement bit from my pump from Rutland Cycles in Cambridge (who I said I'd recommend, because they dug the damn thing up out of a mystery box of bits and wouldn't take my money), so I'm basically good to go.
Post by: Kim on 13 July, 2019, 12:58:38 pm
Post by: zigzag on 13 July, 2019, 01:06:13 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2019, 03:14:18 pm
a) the continued worry with Phyllis
b) the current crisis between older son & daughter re certain issues
c) my dear wife "tidying up" stuff I have just got out that I want to use.
Am planning to be on a train in an hour. This could be a tall order.
Post by: Jurek on 13 July, 2019, 03:30:13 pm
Am overwhelmed with stuff. There's a big sense of "ICBA" but I know I need this. It will be fine when I have left behind:I hear you.
a) the continued worry with Phyllis
b) the current crisis between older son & daughter re certain issues
c) my dear wife "tidying up" stuff I have just got out that I want to use.
Am planning to be on a train in an hour. This could be a tall order.
Do it.
See you at London Fields.
Post by: Kim on 13 July, 2019, 03:37:13 pm
- Take bike outside. Power up garmin. Attach bags. Discover Garmin failing to boot. Get barakta to guard loaded bike while taking it inside for some SD-card-slot-cover-bending therapy[1].
- Return to bike with working Garmin. Set off. Kick bike computer off mount in the process. Retrieve from road and discover that it's wedged. Return, get barakta to guard loaded bike, take computer inside to obtain tools to remove battery, hard reset, and re-program wheel diameter.
- Return to bike with working computer. Set off. Get round the corner to the first pothole, and discover suspension bottoming out. Return home, get barkata to guard bike, obtain shock pump and inflate to luggage-appropriate pressure. Hand shock pump to now fairly pissed-off barkata. Twiddle preload knob on front suspension.
- Finally set off successfully.
[1] I'd swapped card because reasons, and evidently disturbed it in the process.
Post by: Gattopardo on 13 July, 2019, 04:00:30 pm
Post by: Gattopardo on 13 July, 2019, 04:02:09 pm
Am overwhelmed with stuff. There's a big sense of "ICBA" but I know I need this. It will be fine when I have left behind:
a) the continued worry with Phyllis
b) the current crisis between older son & daughter re certain issues
c) my dear wife "tidying up" stuff I have just got out that I want to use.
Am planning to be on a train in an hour. This could be a tall order.
C, why do some people do that?
Post by: Jurek on 13 July, 2019, 04:10:29 pm
Quite fancy noodles...A sound idea.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2019, 04:25:06 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2019, 04:27:18 pm
Post by: Jurek on 13 July, 2019, 04:57:17 pm
Noodles it is. Special chow mien?That's the spirit!
Post by: Kim on 13 July, 2019, 06:04:48 pm
Post by: Jurek on 13 July, 2019, 06:08:35 pm
Not too many here at the mo.
Post by: andrewc on 13 July, 2019, 06:22:23 pm
Post by: GavinC on 13 July, 2019, 06:41:14 pm
Post by: rogerzilla on 13 July, 2019, 06:51:03 pm
Edit: have moved to the fence between the pub and the playground.
Post by: Jurek on 13 July, 2019, 08:01:03 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 July, 2019, 01:19:44 am
Post by: rogerzilla on 14 July, 2019, 05:43:37 am
Post by: Kim on 14 July, 2019, 07:15:52 am
I'm struggling to stay awake at low speed. Currently at Needham Market. The prissy drizzle may have finished?
Post by: madcow on 14 July, 2019, 12:29:44 pm
Am I correct?
Post by: Jurek on 14 July, 2019, 01:47:23 pm
That's what he was riding when he left London Fields last night.
Possibly on his way to his friend Terry, who art in Sibton.
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 July, 2019, 06:13:57 pm
I am sitting in the pub in Westleton and I'm convinced that I just saw Wowbagger go past on the front of a tandem.
Am I correct?
Yes. Must have been about 12.30 - ah! I see your message was timed at 12.29!
We had already had tea and cake with MMTWAIS.
Post by: damerell on 14 July, 2019, 06:58:33 pm
We were making good progress until wow's stoker ran out of steam. Then we lost an hour rendering assistance to someone who'd fallen off their bike.
I started off with Kim and Wow (and Wow's stoker whose name has escaped my head in all the hilarity, sorry), but stopped at the Axe and Compasses; we had stopped at the usual pub in Moreton but they were playing agonisingly loud music and I hadn't had the restful sit-down I felt the need of. I caught them again at the Bell and rode with them for a while again, but when we came to the aforementioned prang I was getting cold, wanted a wee with no suitable bushes nearby, and didn't seem to be in a position to render any assistance, so I plugged on. I struggled at times during the night and stopped at a lot of the available refreshments, so I don't know if the others passed me during those stops or not; I got to the beach about 10, sat around for 20 minutes, then limped off to Lowestoft.
... to discover bustitution between Norwich and Ely, completely killing my train plan (yeah, should have looked it up); I ended up leaving the bike in Norwich to recover tomorrow, enduring an interminable coach journey to Ely, and getting back to Cambridge about 6 hours after leaving the beach.
I might have to just start using the official coaches, given that my plan to save money and avoid a long coach journey resulted in me having a long coach journey and being out of pocket for tomorrow's train. Kind of uneasy about it, though; it's only barely public transport.
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 July, 2019, 07:51:16 pm
I had two possible plans in the pipeline for this year - short of acting my age (65) and being sensible and staying at home. The first was to ride on a tandem with my lovely friend Rebecca (NOTP) and the second was to take camping gear and ride back over 2 days with my lovely friend Jane (OTP). The second of those plans bit the dust pretty early on when Jane revealed that she had to work on the Sunday (Jane is one of those amazing retired people who are at least as busy since retirement as they were when they had paid employment); and the first fell apart because Rebecca does have employment and a family young enough that abandoning them for a couple of days to go cavorting off to the coast with elderly gentlemen has repercussions. So I was back to doing the ride on my solo machine. But I did that 2 years ago, was on my own for most of the time and it was boring and, to be honest, not original and therefore not silly enough.
That was when I hit upon an idea. My dear wife is currently reading a book entitled "Take a Seat!", written by some loon who cycled from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego on a tandem offering lifts to people as he went. I thought that just turning up at London Fields with a tandem and trying to recruit a stoker on the night stood a very slim chance of success, so I advertised the job, on here and on Facebook, and on Wednesday last week held the interviews, from a shortlist of one, and so it was that Bryan (NOTP) was appointed to the role of Hon. Stoker for the night. Dez had been booked quite some time ago to come and collect me from Dunwich, and Bryan already had a ticket booked on one of the coaches back. So the Silly Quotient was adequately met.
Bryan met me at Lpoo St at about 6pm yesterday and we set off for London Fields. I tend to gather cyclists around me at moments like this because none of them seems to know the way to London Fields and for some reason they think I do. At the last minute, I had added the track for that section to the Garmin so I could find my way, and it was not that long before Jurek and Gattopardo were welcoming us and we were drinking beer. Jane turned up to say hello - even though she was not cycling to Dunwich, she had led a ride from Lewisham for those who wanted to participate and some others who just wanted to see the others off, and she came and found us for a brief natter. Damarell also arrived, on an ancient Triumph very similar to one we bought for a colleague of mine who retired in 1980. The pub was selling burgers, so some of us had one each, and around 7.50 Kim arrived. Numbers were thinning out, so at about 8.30 we decided to set off.
The Lea Bridge Road was OK. There is a (mostly) good cycle path alongside it these days, although some of the time it was necessary or desirable to mix it with the traffic, and in what seemed to be a pretty good time we crossed the North Circular at Whipps Cross. Then came the slog up through Epping but Bryan and I just breezed through it. Epping came and went, without incident, and we eschewed the Jurek manoeuvre and approached Moreton from the north. This was unprecedented because we were at the White Hart, buying beer, before 10.30pm, which augured well for the rest of the night. We had a chance encounter with some of the stalwarts of Lewisham Cyclists and there were hugs & selfies.
We carried on at a decent speed and the weather remained warm enough for just shorts and top. Bryan was still powering away and we were through Dunmow at around midnight. This must have been close to 2 hours ahead of my normal speed. We arrived at Great Bardfield, and The Bell supplied us with coffee. I ate a marmite butty and handed round the rather soggy flapjack I had made, and Bryan looked a little the worse for wear.
We carried on and as we did so there were Noises Denoting Discomfort coming from behind me. Clearly, Bryan's saddle did not agree with him. After Dunmow, the ride becomes decidedly rolling and the uphills were a battle. As we rounded a bend in Sible Hedingham, there was a knot of cyclists on the far pavement, one of whom was sitting down in the manner of one who is not at his best. As it turned out, he had taken the corner at some speed and and hit the deck quite hard - possibly as a result of an encounter with one of the two large metal manhole covers that were in the vicinity. The people who were with him had phoned an ambulance, but it seemed that there was a very long wait for one.
Bryan and Kim immediately took control of the situation. Bryan, it seems, is an experienced first-aider and he assessed the situation well, made sure the guy was as comfortable as possible, and Kim produced, in that manner that only Kim can, a space blanket from her luggage. Brian had asked me during yesterday whether I had a first aid kit on board, and I replied that I didn't. He brought one with him and I don't know what he used from it, but suffice it to say that the patient had messed his hands up quite badly, with a deep cut and clearly broken or dislocated finger. Since Bryan was now so clearly in control of the situation we had to wait for the paramedic, and around 3.30, after we had been there about an hour, one arrived. During this period, Damarell, who was beginning to get cold, quite reasonably pointed out that he was doing nothing useful by staying, so he carried on. I put extra garments on and we all set off again, but much more slowly than we had been doing. Just before the long 40mph descent into Sudbury, it started to rain.
Of course the fire station was closed - possibly because they had had to attend to a massive haystack fire just north of Castle Hedingham, but also possibly because they had run out of food. We climbed out of Sudbury and gradually the north-eastern sky began to blush pink, Various advertised food stops were clearly abandoned and we saw no other cyclists for a long time. Although we had been delayed, I didn't feel that we were nearly slow enough to be the lanternes rouges, but later, whilst at the Flora café, Kim was speculating about the fact that these days there are very few genuine BSOs on the ride., so it is quite possibly that the ride is populated by more accomplished cyclists than used to be the case.
Poor Bryan was still suffering greatly. I have to say that I wasn't in the greatest of comfort as I was having to do considerably more than 50% of the work to get us moving, and the great pain that Bryan was feeling through his arse and gonads were making stops frequent. When we restarted, we took it very gently. Gradually we whittled the miles away and made it to Needham Lakes. There the Sausage God smiled on us and Brian and I had pretty much the last two hot dogs to be sold before the stall was closed. We continued in more and more pain until Sibton and the The House of My Mate Terry hove into view, and there were smiles, tea and chocolate cake. Bryan went to sleep and I needed to give him quite a shake to get him woken.
At the end, we hacked along the A roads and reached the beach in plenty of time for Bryan to sort out his place on a bus. I had some marvellous fish & chips and a natter with Kim, and Dez arrived around 1.45. The tandem fitted easily into the car and we drove home.
Edit: I just looked at the Cateye and our average speed was 10.2mph. We must have been near to 12mph in the first 40 miles.
Post by: zigzag on 14 July, 2019, 08:11:14 pm
greetings to yacf team whom i met on my way out of london.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190714/e707e164736a65f28f1c7e630076489a.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190714/0d002bcc9d9c5867892c2033c19dda26.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190714/4c982b6f6822d5592026752c4b15d9cf.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190714/7c4e44a4711f3489763da6272a455090.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190714/1b689f33d36a957541579ef449213cf0.jpg)
Post by: grams on 14 July, 2019, 09:48:10 pm
(* don’t ever do this)
I passed at least three rozzers with my illegal bike in full flow. None showed the slightest interest.
Said bike has a 11 speed chain spliced the old fashioned way out of various bits of old chains. After a couple of years sterling service it decided to remind me I shouldn’t have done that somewhere around Bakers Arms. A friend leant me an 8 speed quick link which spent 100 km clicking away until the correct link was obtained from the shop in Sudbury.
Post by: damerell on 15 July, 2019, 02:10:50 am
Of course the fire station was closed - possibly because they had had to attend to a massive haystack fire just north of Castle Hedingham, but also possibly because they had run out of food.I dunno what it was like when you came past, but when I came past it was a tremendous conflagration - I could see the orange glow against the plume of smoke miles away. I was looking for a landmark of some sort to be able to describe the place to the Fire Brigade, but passed a side road blocked off with cones with flashing blue lights, so knew they were aware.
I did wonder if you'd run into some kind of go juice trouble. It's always miserable, that, when the food places are closing before you get there. I hit one or two like that, but no more.
Quote
Although we had been delayed, I didn't feel that we were nearly slow enough to be the lanternes rouges, but later, whilst at the Flora café, Kim was speculating about the fact that these days there are very few genuine BSOs on the ride., so it is quite possibly that the ride is populated by more accomplished cyclists than used to be the case.Even where I was, most of the people left around me would be faster but had some kind of navigational problem - usually no routesheet and separated from a friend with GPS. I ended up offering to let them take phone photos of the last page of the routesheet.
Post by: telstarbox on 15 July, 2019, 09:52:34 am
Post by: rogerzilla on 15 July, 2019, 10:07:47 am
Post by: grams on 15 July, 2019, 10:09:52 am
But I'd say maybe a bit thinner it has been - there was no queue in Torque Bikes and they were saying they'd had a quieter evening than expected.
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 July, 2019, 10:23:10 am
Three years ago, when Rebecca and I finished around 1.30, we were packing the bikes in the car when a group we had last seen in Sudbury turned up. They were not the youngest, and the bloke had had an off and he thought he had broken some ribs.
Post by: rogerzilla on 15 July, 2019, 10:49:46 am
We started from the pub and then walked around the corner for an espresso at Costa. Then we did the usual main road route to join up with the Lea Bridge Road and avoid the awful "official" route. That new cyclepath is crap (although mercifully clear of glass, at this point in its life) - cars turning across the side roads caused problems and, of course, cyclists keep losing priority. A lot of aggro from motons where people had decided to use the road instead - cycle farcilities give them the justification they need to try and push people off the road. Was glad when the path finished and we could get into some sort of steady rhythm. My water bottles kept ejecting themselves on bumps and I had to retrieve one from the wrong side of the A104 just after the North Circular roundabout, where the cattle grid launched one at great speed. Bent the cages to hold them better, which then snapped the cages, so I was having to reach back and check they were still secure every mile or so. Hanging them off the back of the saddle turns out to be a sub-optimal position for security but my track bike obviously has no bottle bosses, because you don't have bottles on a velodrome.
Got a shout of "you cunts!" from a driver through Epping Forest and an overtaking Audi almost had a head-on collision with a car coming the other way. All par for the course. 60-70rpm slow through the forest as it wasn't safe to overtake, and nasty chipseal surface. Also very slow down the hill into North Weald Bassett - someone at the front must have had the brakes on all the way. When it's too slow downhill for a fixie, it's really slow.
Took the Bovinger diversion after NWB and had the traditional first pee stop at the field. Saw no-one else this year - it's a fairly well-known road to avoid the terrible pinch point of the official route so we thought numbers must be down. Joined up again at Moreton but now it was possible to pass people with safety, so we started to speed up. The Roman road through the Rodings was nice as the fixed gear started to come into its own (apply a bit of power on the ups, let it take your legs and flush out the lactic acid on the downs), and the headwind wasn't noticeable. Some utter nobber shouted "Elite coming through!" from behind and we almost crashed laughing. Saw the chap at Dunmow waiting with his stripy track pump.
We did the next bit really fast as the riders had started to thin out a lot (at every pub, we lost several people). Stormed the hill in Finchingfield as usual, using momentum rather than gears. The moon came out. Massive haystack fire between Castle Hedingham and Sudbury. We pulled in so Sam could check a noise from his bike (probably a bit of gravel going round the mudguard) and a load of cars had pulled in at the same lay-by to look at the fire.
Got into Sudbury and Torque Bikes fitted two new bottle cages to my bike. Sam and Ed went on to the fire station and I walked around there with the bike in one hand and a coffee in the other. made friend with a nice little ticked tabby cat on the way. Fire station stop was well-organised although I couldn't understand the queue for the gents' lavs, when all of Suffolk was out there waiting to be desecrated. Put cap, arm and knee warmers on. Finished first flapjack and ate half the second one.
Some local protesters had put drawing pins down at Little Waldingfield but they'd been picked up by the first unfortunate group to encounter them at about 2330 and we went through an hour later. A camper van followed us respectfully all the way to Bildeston. I felt bad for the driver as the twats in front continued to occupy the whole width of the road for almost 10 miles. A vole darted out amongst the tyres but escaped.
Really thinned out over the Wattisham plateau. Dropped into Needham Market and stopped at the lakes, where the only fare was espresso and/or sausages. More coffee. Lost even more riders on the next bit, as they missed turns. There's no telling them, either. Warmed up briefly at Gosbeck village hall where Sam wanted a cup of tea (unavailable at the lakes) and I wanted a massage, but couldn't get one. It was nice to get out of the night air for 20 minutes, though.
Large group from Gosbeck to Helmingham but we were the only ones to take the Framsden turn. Enjoy the A1120, guys ::-) Really quiet now, only occasionally passing or being passed. Saw a couple of race-fit guys from the Swindon coach on the hill at Cretingham. Stopped at the Framlingham bus shelter thingy while Ed tightened his STI lever, and chatted to a couple on a tandem who were suffering a bit. I still felt fresh and (for the first time on this ride) wasn't cramping up. It's not about the bike, it's about the caffeine and the enitre packet of salty pretzels I ate beforehand.
The Bruisyard lane was gravelly and a bit buttock-clenching in places if you only had a front brake, and so was the Sibton Green climb. Stopped at the Dunwich 7 sign for a photo, then went at those 7 miles full tilt. Bottle ejected itself just before the Dunwich sign when I hit a monster pothole, but we needed a pee anyway. Rode in and dipped wheels in the sea.
For me, this was the easiest one yet, and the only one where I've finished feeling capable of riding further. Light bike, fixed gear, lots of salt intake beforehand, lots of coffee. What would put me off returning are that Lea Valley cyclepath and the increasing hostility of locals. Ironically, the Essex residents - "you cunts!" aside - are the ones that turn out and high-five you, whereas the Suffolk residents are the ones that whinge about noise and bad behaviour on Facebook* and mine the road with pins. I suppose it's the early hours in Suffolk and they're not used to any passing traffic in the night. Depressing to see gel wrappers thrown on the road, though - I know they're nasty and sticky to put back in your pocket so EAT SOMETHING ELSE, you twats.
*some very hard to believe. One lady claims 20 riders all turned up at the same time and pissed in her front garden. I can't really understand this, since she'd need (a) a massive front garden and (b) it must have been shaped like a massive urinal, with a hand drier and free soap, to make it more attractive than the miles and miles of empty countryside. Another claims the noise of riders talking made her dog shit all over the house. I don't think passing cars are any quieter.
Post by: madcow on 15 July, 2019, 11:43:46 am
I wasn't on the Dunwich Dynamo but was tootling round Suffolk to raise money for a friend's chosen charity.
I was impressed by the organisation for one group of cyclists for the return to London. Four coaches and a curtainsider arctic full of bikes.
Post by: GavinC on 15 July, 2019, 11:47:32 am
I saw the big fire with the flashing blue lights out on the ride, but dimly assuming it was one of the pop-up stops on the ride :-[ I was suffering a bit from the dozies at the point, and it wasn’t until after I stopped again at Needham Market that I had a bit of a second wind which saw me through to the end. I stopped again at Gosbeck Village Hall, where I managed to have a much needed massage, and at a couple of the other smaller stops, before reaching Dunwich at about 4.45. At that time, there was already a big enough queue for the cafe and it had just started raining so I headed to the tea rooms at the other end of the village who had posted on Facebook that they’d be open from 4. There were only a couple of dozen riders there so I sat out the rain over an extended breakfast. At about 6.30, the rain had passed and the sun was starting to appear, so I rode on up to Southwold to join my wife and kids who’d been staying there for the weekend.
I did the ride on my fixed Moulton TSR on a 54/15 gear (about 66”). Only 95 miles in total for me, but it’s my longest ride so far on fixed.
Post by: rogerzilla on 15 July, 2019, 11:54:18 am
Post by: grams on 15 July, 2019, 12:27:08 pm
I was impressed by the organisation for one group of cyclists for the return to London. Four coaches and a curtainsider arctic full of bikes.
This is the Southwark Cyclists operation. They organise I think *5* separate departures with this many vehicles, carrying about a thousand people.
Post by: rogerzilla on 15 July, 2019, 12:36:49 pm
Post by: GavinC on 15 July, 2019, 03:32:24 pm
Sam saw the fixed Moulton at the beach. I'm thinking of fixing mine and am only slightly put off by the inevitable pogoing on climbs, since fixies have to be wrestled over hills. I have the race spring but it makes little difference.Yes, it’s not the best uphills thanks to the suspension and the weight generally but on Saturday the route was rolling enough that it wasn’t too much of a problem. I would’ve used the Langster but I needed something that could go into the boot of the car alongside a load of luggage without being dismantled :)
Post by: alexb on 15 July, 2019, 04:21:27 pm
If you see someone riding this contraption (https://www.instagram.com/p/BnM8HzDBLvx/?igshid=1bnrrqczpq6sc), or more likely puzzling over it with a soldering iron and a multimeter, do say hello.
I saw you several times and said something admiring at one point, but I'm deaf in my left ear, so if you replied, I didn't hear you! It was spectacular though.
I had a good ride. A little chat with Jurek at the start, set off at about 8:30 and, contrary to a lot of folks here, quite liked the cyclepath through Lea Valley - OK it was impossibly crowded, but at least I was off the road.
I stopped in Epping Forest to sort out rear tyre pressure and from then on it was pretty plain sailing. Moreton was incredibly crowded and I just rolled on until Finchingfield for an overpriced cup of tea from The Fox. I did my usual diversion in Lavenham to use the disabled toilet (luxury!) and then cook a meal in the bus stop facing The Swan, before rejoining the "official" route. My next stop wasn't until Framlingham, where I watched the sub rise over two cups of tea.
Really after this many times doing it I think I might have reached my limit for this ride. It's a fun thing to do, watching silly bikes and people trying something they wouldn't otherwise imagine they could do is nice, but there are nicer places to ride if you have most of a weekend free.
Post by: Jurek on 15 July, 2019, 06:30:59 pm
I ask because, having done it seven times (including four of us doing it on one occasion in October) and, if I'm honest, the lustre (if there ever was one) has faded.
And, as you say, there are prettier places to ride to at the weekend, which are considerably easier to get home from.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 15 July, 2019, 07:53:01 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 16 July, 2019, 03:44:48 pm
That's the first video I have seen from this year's Dynamo. It starts to get really good at about 1m 48 s! ;)
Edit: and a little cameo at 1m 26s...
Post by: Kim on 16 July, 2019, 04:35:43 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 16 July, 2019, 06:06:31 pm
I've finally made it home from Dunwich. With no thanks to Achilles tendinitis, seagulls, sands of doom or the lift at Lpoo St. station.
Well done!
Post by: Kim on 16 July, 2019, 07:29:44 pm
Post by: Phil W on 16 July, 2019, 07:39:45 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scjsb5JWKOs&fbclid=IwAR0ugUS6AccYbY49D4urcXp7nEbF2B7lzr3b2l0_As9WrdNVUuWb9U2LLEE
That's the first video I have seen from this year's Dynamo. It starts to get really good at about 1m 48 s! ;)
Edit: and a little cameo at 1m 26s...
You and Kim also appear around 1:54
Post by: Kim on 17 July, 2019, 12:02:45 am
Disclaimer: Strava only shows what Strava shows. Obvious bias towards the faster and more navigationally-equipped riders. Getting lost is a traditional way of falling behind on the Dun Run.
Post by: rogerzilla on 17 July, 2019, 09:50:30 am
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 July, 2019, 10:09:05 am
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 July, 2019, 10:18:12 am
Did anyone notuce the CDC on a climb? I think it was just before Gosbeck.
Ys, I think I did.
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 July, 2019, 09:47:10 pm
Interestingly, my average speed of 10.2mph was rather higher than many recent rides. Could be because I have lost 3 stones in weight!
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 July, 2019, 08:56:46 am
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 July, 2019, 04:49:19 pm
Could also be because you gained x stones of stoker!
My poor stoker was only rated for about 40 miles. I reckon I was doing more than 50% of the work thereafter.
Post by: Kim on 19 July, 2019, 07:31:06 pm
Post by: alexb on 22 July, 2019, 03:12:31 pm
Out of interest Alex, how many times have you done the Dun Run?
I ask because, having done it seven times (including four of us doing it on one occasion in October) and, if I'm honest, the lustre (if there ever was one) has faded.
And, as you say, there are prettier places to ride to at the weekend, which are considerably easier to get home from.
I did it twice on fixed (horrible), once on the geared bike I used for PBP and then at least 8 times on this one. I reckon at least 11 times now, possibly more (maybe even as many as 14!). I've genuinely lost track! I think I've missed two since the first one (which might have been with Simon, Charlotte and possibly even Ravenbait).
Post by: robgul on 22 July, 2019, 08:00:11 pm
Out of interest Alex, how many times have you done the Dun Run?
I ask because, having done it seven times (including four of us doing it on one occasion in October) and, if I'm honest, the lustre (if there ever was one) has faded.
And, as you say, there are prettier places to ride to at the weekend, which are considerably easier to get home from.
I did it twice on fixed (horrible), once on the geared bike I used for PBP and then at least 8 times on this one. I reckon at least 11 times now, possibly more (maybe even as many as 14!). I've genuinely lost track! I think I've missed two since the first one (which might have been with Simon, Charlotte and possibly even Ravenbait).
If it was with Charlotte and Ravenbait then that was 2003 - I was there - as was Chuffy, Baggy and few other C+ stalwarts from days of yore. I was on my long-gone bright yellow 1980s Claud Butler Majestic.
Rob
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 July, 2019, 08:23:41 pm
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 22 July, 2019, 08:47:18 pm
Post by: Tim Hall on 22 July, 2019, 10:23:55 pm
I think they all did it in 2005 too. I remember being passed by them. This was in the days of the old C+ forum.I did it when I was on UK.rec.cycling. You were there, under a different nom de ordinateur, as was Plomesgate Pete and Mr Larrington, who, upon reaching Dunwich, rode back.
What year was that?
Post by: robgul on 23 July, 2019, 07:09:34 am
Then-MrsLWaB and I started with Charlotte, Ravenbait, et al, on our Brommies. Good weather that year (must have been 2005) and I've not tempted fate by going back for another DD.
Just looked it up in my calendar - it was 2004 for certain - I recollect passing you and Then-MrsLWAB riding away from Dunwich as we drove across the heathland heading homewards. I think quite a few of the original gang did it again in 2005.
My pal Steve had driven to Dunwich on the Friday, left his car at the beach, ridden to the station, train to London, stayed overnight with his son - met me at the Inn on the Park - and then drove us both home on Sunday morning - perfect, made better by a glass of Champagne in my garden when we got back.
I did vow to do it again ... but not so far and it looks unlikely in the future - too many people, not enough personal fitness coupled with advancing years!
Rob
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 23 July, 2019, 07:18:03 am
Post by: Jurek on 23 July, 2019, 08:31:36 am
Out of interest Alex, how many times have you done the Dun Run?
I ask because, having done it seven times (including four of us doing it on one occasion in October) and, if I'm honest, the lustre (if there ever was one) has faded.
And, as you say, there are prettier places to ride to at the weekend, which are considerably easier to get home from.
I did it twice on fixed (horrible), once on the geared bike I used for PBP and then at least 8 times on this one. I reckon at least 11 times now, possibly more (maybe even as many as 14!). I've genuinely lost track! I think I've missed two since the first one (which might have been with Simon, Charlotte and possibly even Ravenbait).
If by Simon you mean Leggy, to the best of my knowledge he's only ever done it the once, 2007, the wet one, and he bailed somewhere around Moreton and booked himself into a B&B.
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 July, 2019, 09:12:17 pm
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 July, 2019, 10:30:13 am
Post by: Wobbly John on 24 July, 2019, 10:59:52 am
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 July, 2019, 11:31:53 am
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 July, 2020, 10:36:44 am
I suppose it's a bit like women who choose to give birth for a second time...
Post by: Wobbly John on 07 July, 2020, 12:13:25 pm
(which might have been with Simon, Charlotte and possibly even Ravenbait).
If by Simon you mean Leggy, to the best of my knowledge he's only ever done it the once, 2007, the wet one, and he bailed somewhere around Moreton and booked himself into a B&B.
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He did it in either 2005, or 2006, as I remember talking to him before the start, and him asleep on the floor (behind the counter) in the shop at Dunwich beach!