2010-07-24 - Dunwich Dynamo DD18

I'm thinking no lighting and just riding using the force.

This.

To echo Braker's comments - seriously the coaches were a farce last year and enough for me to consider not riding it again. Nothing like doing 100+ miles and then waiting around for 6 hours. I don't mind kicking around for a couple of hours but the option to pay for the LFGSS Coach means I ride - otherwise I stay at home.

PS - Hip Flask > Thermos

I've ridden the DD 5 times (I think), only the first time I used gears and I have to say the only real bonus of not going fixed is the ability to stand on the pedals to relieve my aching posterior! It's not a difficult ride at all, just a damn long way for most of us!

I'm a Dunrun virgin, but I've ridden the Manchester 100M and Manchester-Blackpool on fixed and neither are hilly. My geared bike would be more suited to task: dynamo lights, racks as l'll be carrying overnight luggage, my own food, etc.

Reading from previous DD's, numbers have swelled causing bottlenecks with food stops and problems with return transport. What's the latest on the coach as l (we) really need those seats back. Has Velocio sorted out seating arrangements? When is the actual event so l can early book train tickets.

24th/25th July, but I heard that booking a train is pointless, as they'll just let the first 4 people with bikes and a ticket on every train, regardless of a booking. Wait for the LFGSS coach, it will happen, there's enough interest and it looks like it's going to work out cheaper than the coaches laid on, plus a hundred times nicer, not being part of the bunfight.

event date is in the thread title: 24th July

from reading through this thread, nothing is finalised in terms of a forum coach yet as numbers aren't finalised.

There are a few months between now and the ride itself so you'll have plenty of time to book tickets etc.

will be there with a couple of mates - we are training into london somewhere from beaconsfield after riding there from not too far away and then riding across london to the start

then luckily the wags are driving across for a girls night out to give us a cosy lift home after breccie

Looking forward to it - this will be the furthest ive riden on fixed after the chiltern 100 last year, just getting some miles in to and from work and working out what gear to use

What have you got, I've been thinking of looking for more of a beast.

Didn't see that.

Exposure Race MaXx and Redeye rear, I got them both for £150, which is a pretty good bargain.

the other advantage is that I can plug in a battery to extend the battery life of it.

Reading from previous DD's, numbers have swelled causing bottlenecks with food stops and problems with return transport. What's the latest on the coach as l (we) really need those seats back. Has Velocio sorted out seating arrangements? When is the actual event so l can early book train tickets.

Patience, this is five months away, things will be organised in time.

Booking tickets to get to the event is well advised. I'm guessing that you're comimg from out of town. From experience, it's best to get an early train to London and set up a place to have an afternoon nap. Last year I booked a later train and when I got to the station, eight people where waiting there with bikes for a train that only carries six. I waved my bike reservation and the guard put me at the front of the loading queue but I did manage to pursuade him that a few more bikes weren't going to be a problem. Don't rely on such providence though, the staff at Swindon are really nice people who are quite relaxed about such things.

What have you got, I've been thinking of looking for more of a beast.

When not using the dynohub powered eye-searing Solidlights (1203D-XB2) I use two B&M Ixon IQ. One on the 'city mode' half power setting is enough for most roads (especially for DD timed for maximum moonlight). It goes onto full power for tricky surfaces or descents and the second one is a backup or for very tricky descents. Used them for LEL and had no problems and lots of compliments about the light they shove out.

Fuck it, I've bitten the bullet.
I'm going to ride it this year.

I had a dream about Dunwich last night. It somehow morphed into an erotic fantasy.

I had a dream about a motorway pile up.

My erotic fantasies usually resemble a car crash.

Fuck it, I've bitten the bullet.
I'm going to ride it this year.

Excellent. Just don't ride 48/16. If you need any tips, just ask.

When not using the dynohub powered eye-searing Solidlights (1203D-XB2)

You want a Supernova E3 triple: http://www.supernova-lights.com/en/e3_triple.html

You want a Supernova E3 triple: http://www.supernova-lights.com/en/e3_triple.html

The best dynamo light by miles!

Excellent. Just don't ride 48/16. If you need any tips, just ask.

Yes Tips please! I'd probably ride it ss and not fixed based on what Clefty said. and I'm currently riding 48/16.

Well, gear down for starters.

The Southwark Cyclists FAQ covers quite a few tips:

http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/dunwichfaqs.shtml

Patience, this is five months away, things will be organised in time.

Booking tickets to get to the event is well advised. I'm guessing that you're comimg from out of town. From experience, it's best to get an early train to London and set up a place to have an afternoon nap. Last year I booked a later train and when I got to the station, eight people where waiting there with bikes for a train that only carries six. I waved my bike reservation and the guard put me at the front of the loading queue but I did manage to pursuade him that a few more bikes weren't going to be a problem. Don't rely on such providence though, the staff at Swindon are really nice people who are quite relaxed about such things.

We will be travelling down from Manchester the day before. Get a B&B, see+do stuff, do DD and sleep on return train.

My experience with bikes on trains aren't good for long distance journeys, especially with change-overs, platform staff are just very unpleasant, unhappy people who must hate their jobs.

Are any MCR folk reading this doing the DD?

I've started training for it. no long rides at all for 2 years due to injury and currently up to 43 miles (including some hills :D) of a Surrey loop.

I'm not sure how I want to get back yet - I'm happy to ride a bit further to a non-popular train station (as JackT did last year via a lovely sounding route and a funky ferry) though as my Moulton will split it's less of an issue for me. I won't take the official coach.

An LFGSS coach might be interesting depending on the decided timings. Lighting wise I'll use a Fenix LD20 on the non-turbo setting (still 100+ lumens or so, possibly good enough for the full time there) and will have a spare set of batteries or 2 just in case I need higher levels.

Yes Tips please! I'd probably ride it ss and not fixed based on what Clefty said. and I'm currently riding 48/16.

Well, gear down for starters.

The Southwark Cyclists FAQ covers quite a few tips:

http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/dunwichfaqs.shtml

Once you have the pace up on those long country roads with no stopping and starting that gearing is fine if you keep yourself fed and motivated.

When you get to hills, hit them as hard as you can at the begining and by the time you start to slow down you are already near the top(there are only 5 or so climbs of signifigance on that whole ride).

I did it on that gear in 2007 and 2008 and only swapped to 47-16 for 2009 as there was a nice chainring for sale on here.

hmmm i might be in, need a bike though

My experience with bikes on trains aren't good for long distance journeys, especially with change-overs, platform staff are just very unpleasant, unhappy people who must hate their jobs.

I never really seem to have a problem with bikes on trains. I book early and reserve the bike as well. I also get on alright with platform staff and find most of them decent people. They have two main motivations in their job. 1) to get the train loaded and out of the station as quick as possible 2) to avoid any hassle. Help them do this and they won't find you an objectionable inconvenience.

gonna need it to heal this farked knee.

scott. is. excited. :)

gah I wish my crosscheck frame would arrive so I can start building my Dunwich machine.

35 forum folk looking for the coach back.

Does someone want to get a price on hiring a coach?

Just looked at costs for a van and it would probably cost around £160 including fuel. That's about £4.50 a piece so far.