Dunwich Dynamo
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The Dunwich Dynamo is an annual semi-organised, through-the-night bicycle ride from London Fields park in Hackney, London, England to Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. The distance is approximately 120 miles (193 kilometres).
The ride (usually abbreviated to "Dun Run" or "DD") takes place overnight, hence "Dynamo". It is scheduled to take place on the Saturday night closest to the full moon in July, partly for tradition but also because it is easier to ride by moonlight (bicycle lighting systems being of limited power).
Now past its 14th year as an 'organised' bike ride, it origins lay some 25 years or so earlier, when a group of bicycle messengers left London for a fun ride to the coast on fixed-wheel or pista bikes. The ride grew each year and became more structured and organised.
The DD used to include mechanical support and "controls" where riders had to check in to ensure no short-cuts. Nowadays it is free and unsupported. The route was planned by the London School Of Cycling and organisation including the transport back from Dunwich at the end of the ride is arranged by Southwark Cyclists.
The 2006 DD was marred by the death of a 38 year old participant, Andrew Rawling, in a head-on collision with a Ford Transit van in North Weald Bassett. The organisers have suggested that the 2007 ride may take the form of a memorial event. However the victim's family have requested it continue as normal without any dedication, as they do not wish the ride he enjoyed to become a 'campaign' or protest.
The 15th Dun Run starts on the 28 July 2007 at approximately 9pm from The Pub On The Park, London Fields.
Some Dun Runners have posted their ride reports online:
From 2002: http://www.ravenfamily.org/sam/bike/dunrun2002.html
From 2003: http://www.ravenfamily.org/sam/bike/dunrun2003.html
From 2004: http://www.nuttycyclist.co.uk/rides/dun-run-1.htm
From 2006 (including link to a video): http://slightlylostintheworld.blogspot.com/2006/07/14th-dunwich-dynamo-full-story.html
