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). A map of the route (as of 2006) can be seen here:Dunwich Dynamo Route. The route itself in GPX format, with each non-straight on junction marked with a waypoint for loading into a GPS unit(and some extra points) can be found here:GPX file (correct as of the 2006 ride)

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.

Now past its 14th year as an 'organised' bike ride, it origins lay in or around 1993, 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 suggested that the 2007 ride could take the form of a memorial event. However the victim's family requested that it continue as normal without any dedication, as they did not wish the ride he enjoyed to become a 'campaign' or protest.

In 2007 cyclists experienced bad weather for most of the ride. Out of 450 that started the ride in Hackney, around 400 finished. Only one injury was sustained: an ambulance was called for a cyclist who attempted to adjust his front mudguard while moving!

The 16th Dun Run starts on the 19 July 2008 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 2005: http://porgythecat.blogspot.com/2005/07/dunwich-dynamo.html

From 2006 (including link to a video): http://slightlylostintheworld.blogspot.com/2006/07/14th-dunwich-dynamo-full-story.html