2014-07-12 Dunwich Dynamo XXII

That is something that intrigued me, as you often get bike PAs on large group rides. On the DD is it more of a silent thing?

Indra...

Definitely not me, I played no dubstep and generally not through villages or in big groups.

Dr. Dre through the churchyards amirite..

That is something that intrigued me, as you often get bike PAs on large group rides. On the DD is it more of a silent thing?

Yeah of course. There was some rubbish on the fb page about someone wanting to bring a small rig next time. Shot down pretty fast. That sort of thing would kill the vibe.

I'm only teasing Indra though, I know hes a responsible guy and I nearly brought my little speaker for the run to the beach :)

There were a few people pumping out choons, but more 80s Argos stereo than PA volumes and weirdly they all played light rock. Strange it was.

Reciting grime lyrics at 2am with Levi
'The prophecy please get offah me, old school like my steering's mahogany'

Fun night man!

Then we clocked it didn't even make sense.

No more, no more; cut that out.

'Bring it back again'
Almost fell off with laughter!

[quote]Originally Posted by Greenbank
If you don't want the hassle/timings of the coach then you can make it easier/cheaper by doing:-

• Drive to Dunwich on Saturday morning
  
• Leave car/van in car park
  
• Get bike out of car and pootle to London Fields
  
• Do Ride (again)
  
• Breakfast
  
• Swim (including big fluffly towels and change of clothes in car)
  
• Couple of hours kip in car (don't be a cock and drive when really tired)
  
• Drive home with few travel worries
  
  
  

ftfy. Only the same amount of cycling as riding back after finishing, but much less of awake.[/quote]

how about this instead?

• Ride to Dunwich on Saturday morning
  
• Leave bicycle on the beach
  
• Swim
  
• Breakfast (without the queues and masses!)
  
• Get back onto bicycle and pootle back to London Fields
  

That is something that intrigued me, as you often get bike PAs on large group rides. On the DD is it more of a silent thing?

There were a few people pumping out choons, but more 80s Argos stereo than PA volumes and weirdly they all played light rock. Strange it was.

yeh - it wasn't quite Critical Mass trailer-boom-boxes, but was mildly amusing when a sound-system went past..

happily was without the need for my own musical accompaniment until just after thinking Dunwich was around the corner, then being reminded there was still twenty or so windy but enjoyable miles to spin..

how about this instead?

• Ride to Dunwich on Saturday morning
  
• Leave bicycle on the beach
  
• Swim
  
• Breakfast (without the queues and masses!)
  
• Get back onto bicycle and pootle back to London Fields
  
  

how fast you gonna go? even at 7 hours each way that doesn't leave much time for fun or 'pootling'.

how fast you gonna go? even at 7 hours each way that doesn't leave much time for fun or 'pootling'.

hmmm.. was thinking single-speed pace each way... but yes, fun would need to be on the menu.. suggestions welcome in the thread.. (!)

nice seeing conker, howrad, branwen, onelesscardigan at the hot dog stand by the lake and my then seeing teamraphacondorsharp (my heros) rodmunch and buffalobill smashing it home on the return leg. chapeaux.

my heros too, even though was looking the other way as they rode past!!

here's the photo,

anyone snap the rodmunch (and will?) return ride home

then the people wearing rucksacks. i couldn't help but feel sorry for them as well. i was just like whywhywhywhy WHY?!. putting yourself through that much discomfort to carry a rucksack is mental in my opinion. what was so important that couldn't fit in a jersey pocket? i just don't get that either.

its kinda comfortable for some of us (until its not - until possible back damage from carrying!!)... the extra space, allows consideration for eventualities... and probably room enough for a super-lightweight-micro-sized tent!

http://lizapalmer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/be-prepared.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dSgljlznl8/TasDrIWidoI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/1SE93D0nXbk/s320/scout_emblem_imagelarge.jpg

http://lichfieldscouts.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/sign.jpg?w=67&h=150

my heros too, even though was looking the other way as they rode past!!

here's the photo,

anyone snap the rodmunch (and will?) return ride home

Which one of them is Rod Munch? I want to compare him to an animal.

(I know it's not the bloke on the right.)

then the people wearing rucksacks.........................
[B][/B]
Ex mountain bikers lost without a rucksack.

You roadies - lost without a café - whereas I had on board my own personal café!

I don't mind a heavy rucksack (lock, laptop, etc) for my 30 minute commute, over an hour and the back muscles aren't used to it.

A light rucksack I can do for hours but, by definition, it doesn't have much stuff in so limited use.

Rackpack or saddlebag for proper long distance stuff. That way I can carry all food required and top up at shops/garages on the way. A cafe stop is nice every 8 hours or so but not absolutely necessary.

A light rucksack I can do for hours but, by definition, it doesn't have much stuff in so limited use.

It's good for light but bulky stuff though, such as the post-ride marsh mallow supply.

For sure the rucksack is a mountain biker thing. Full of charged camelback and spare derailleurs (in my case!). Tried a rack pack but downhill on the rough stuff the bike handles like a pig when weight is behind the seat. Panniers are better but snag and slow down progress thru single track. I'm amazed at how much weight I can take in a rucksack packed sensibly. And (in my case) when falling off it behaves as a back protector. (See prev pics of my screwed together pelvis - on that doomed downhilly day I didn't carry a backpack!).

I'm no mountain biker, but I take a bag everywhere!

Was my first ride, had a brilliant time. Didn't leave london fields till about half nine - faffing around taping lights onto my partners bike. Seemed to be behind the weather the whole way, saw some spectacular lightning ahead at a few points, but luckily never got caught in the rain. Managed 15.1mph average.

Thanks to the guy with the route notes at the start and thanks to all the pubs open along the way. That halfway burger went down a treat.

Some pics:

2 Attachments

Of all the things you lots are moaning about, it's fucking rucksack.

Never mind some of the people who attempt it on a BMX.

Heavy rucksack for eight hours? Sounds like a normal day to me...
#photographerbackpain

It was my first DD, left London fields at 8, crawled through the traffic until we got to Epping forest. I heard a loud cracking noise at that point, and saw that someone had hit the deck. Kept on going and stopped at Castle Hedingham for a meal break/stretch. Caught onto several different groups and saw a lot of guys on the side of the road with flats, possibly pinch flats from potholes that they couldn't see at night?

I was quite worried about thunder and rain, however I think I was super lucky as I stayed dry the whole time and kept on riding onto wet roads which suggested I was just behind the rain.

Stopped just after Needham market for a quick coffee, just after I had a caffeine gel which upset my tummy a little bit. Downed a Tesco pasta tub and kept on going. I ended up riding with a group where I was the only one with a map, so ended up leading a group of about 20 through the back lanes which was fun but quite tiring being at the front. Eventually got to Dunwich at 4:20 which was nice as there weren't too many people. A cuppa tea and a quick dip in the water and I felt like a nice kip, until it started raining.

After an hour or two, lots of people arrived and I decided to make a run for Ipswich, this was tough as I was exhausted but I eventually made it.

Anyway, lots of fun. Gave my dynamo lights a good workout and rode the furthest I've ever ridden in one day, 230km total.

Fuel:
4 Energy bars
1 Flapjack
2 Caffeine gels
1 Coffee
1 Tesco Pasta
1 Cuppa tea
and a Scone with jam and cream at Dunwich

Full writeup and more pics here
http://smutpedaller.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/dunwich-dynamo-2014.html

Great photos.

On a BMX? You've got to be kidding?