2012-06-30 Sat/Sun - Dunwich Dynamo DD20

Our Survival tips:

• Do some longish rides beforehand
  
• Don’t overdo the alcohol, etc. for a few days beforehand
  
• Pack spare layers of clothes, it can be very warm or chilly or damp or wet
  
• Money. Always handy
  
• Phone: yes
  
• Most jeans have lumpy under-seams that you don’t notice for a few miles. Then you notice.
  
• Tools: at least a pump, a small multitool and a couple of spare inner tubes. Tyre levers too.
  
• Make sure your bike is in good nick. Give it a good clean, lube and service a few days before. On the day, give it another look, give it an M Check and, for example, flip it over and check the tyres for those infiltrating little sharp bits. If you’ve been thinking about getting new tyres, splash out before the ride
  
• Lights: you’ll need them. LEDs can last all night, but bring spare batteries anyway, tuck in behind someone with a beam for those tree-tunnel lane stretches
  
• Saddle? Apply Vaseline, chamois cream or similar if/before your bits get sore. Recumbent riders, they boast, needn’t bother
  
• Carbo-loading works for most: a large pasta meal the night before. Some swear by cutting out caffeine for a few days beforehand so that the 3am halfway coffee really j o l t s
  
• Drink water before you get thirsty, snack and nibble before you get hungry. That way you’ll avoid hitting the spirit-draining brick wall (or bonk) of no energy
  
• Don’t sprint off with the skinny greyhounds unless you are one. Settle into a group doing a pace you like. If it turns out slow, dance in the pedals and catch a quicker group. Bit too fast? Drop off the group and wait to be caught up
  
• Swim at the end (a change of pants is a good idea)
  
• Keep looking at our website/Twitter feed for updates
  
• Love it