2011-07-16/17 Sat/Sun - Dunwich Dynamo DD19

Rastafari greetings to each and every one,

Er, well I Dun it.

It was such a brilliant ride.... Like everyone else I watched the rain fall all day. It was raining when I left Tooting but sun shining when I arrived in London Fields. I met up with the newly-wed ( - congratulations....) John and Kris who had kindly agreed to lead me out of babyLon don. I did my best to keep up with them until we got to just outside Epping. I then said my goodbyes and left them to head off at their own greater speed.
From then on it was steady eddie business. I got through Epping without being hassled and saw the sun set which was lovely. Between Epping and North Weald it got dark and then it was a lovely ride through the Essex countryside. I had been having feelings of great excitement and also of being terrified – it’s a long way, what if something goes wrong etc. But as I headed out in to the countryside and realised just how many people were doing this ride, all fear passed and the smile widened. I am completely happy rolling at my own pace – at least I can keep up....
I had a lovely 10 minutes or so rolling with Scot who had left late and was on a mission to go there and back – well done for your efforts and the nice comment on page 49 of this thread.
I got to Dunmow and was loving this , then got to Sible Hedingham and thought I would check out Oliver Schick at the feeding station to say hello and big him up for volunteering to keep the punters fed and watered. When I arrived I couldn’t believe the queue and so just turned round and headed on.
In Essex, I noticed that many roadies seemed to be taking this as a race. I would shout ‘allez allez’ to others who passed me, but to them I either shouted or just thought please slow down, you are not going to win as this is not a race and you are missing such a beautiful sight..... We had the moon to our left, lovely fields and those beautiful sillouettes of trees that you get in East Anglia.
By the time I got to Sudbury, I was passed again by John and Kris who I guess had had a stop at the feeding station - they were bombing down Ballingdon Hill – good work....
As I grew up in that neck of the woods I was able to give instruction to any cyclists – like sharp turn right etc. One asked how do you know the road so well? – I spent the first 18 years of my life here was the answer.
At 2 am I reached Monks Eleigh - I called my mum and stopped off to have a rest stop. My father is very ill and frail but he managed to make it up to spend some time with me. I know we all cycled 120 odd miles that night, but for him to get up, with what he has on his plate is as much of an effort.... Beans on toast, coffee and a couple of bananas later and I was ready to rejoin the ride.
So I was back travelling down lanes I had cycled on my Raleigh Grifter, then Puch Prince, as a yout. I enjoyed going past the lights of RAF Whattisham – no sign of Prince Harry sneaking back in after hours....
I saw all sorts of lovely animals including a little owl on the road – we both gave each other what are you doing? type of looks.
At 3.40 am the birds suddenly started chirping to herald in the new day and at 4 am it seemed to be light.
After crossing the A14 I was thinking that we are on the home straight. As the clock went over 100 miles, I was starting to look at it more often, so tried my best not to as I was now feeling as I suppose I should have done.
The rest stops by me seemed more frequent and the pace was now dropping and the ankles aching.
I was all so well equipped with maps for Suffolk and Essex and a route sheet, but I have to say I didn’t look at them once. Overnight I just followed the red lights, then at any junction if I was not sure, you only had to wait 30 seconds or so before yet another peleton would pass and you knew which way to go. The only mistake made was with Leon and Katie near Otley but they chased me down and we got back on track – thank you both for this and your sterling efforts on the coach and choice of bike fronts....
I spent many holidays at Dunwich, so once Darsham and then Westleton came I knew I was home and dry. I reached Dunwich at 7.30 am to find the place heaving with tired but happy cyclists who had pulled off a great effort.
My clock said 131.25 miles which is the furthest I have cycled fixed by 40 miles.
I headed for the beach and found a nice quiet spot away from the masses. I called my mum again to let her know I had arrived safely and thanked her. I then broke down in floods of tears of joy and relief looking out to sea.
I then enjoyed a well earned dejeurne sur beaucoup de l’ Herb. Had a paddle and just waited to be collected by my wife and her family at 11 am. You should have seen the jealous looks I got from those queuing for all the coaches as I put my bike in the car and headed back to Hadleigh. As we left there were still plenty of people arriving in Dunwich.
We took the A12 back and saw many cyclists struggling against tiredness and the wind which had helped us all night but now would hinder.
I came back home last night doing 25 miles on the way....
I’ll be honest , it was the biggest and best ride I have ever Dun and my ankles are screaming still.
Big ups to all who did this ride and thanks to those who hailed me up at start and en route.
Good work people and big up the forum.
Peace and Love to one and all,
JAH tim.