Brompton Dunwich Dynamo 2019 Completed

When I rose early on Saturday morning the Dunwich Dynamo dominated proceedings somewhat. This would be Dunwich Dynamo number four for me.

My first port of call was Compton Cycles. I took the bike in for them to check over the headset and a little play in the rear wheel. (There probably wasn't anything wrong with the wheel but I thought it best to get it checked). Jim at Compton Cycles took little time in giving things the once over and in less than 10 minutes I was on my way again. It is a wonderful shop.

On the way to Compton Cycles I heard from Dr John and that he might not make the dynamo as his calf was playing up and he would tell me later. Not long after he confirmed that he was not going.

The rest of the day was busy. I had some family stuff to do as well as plugging every electrical item I was taking with me on the Dynamo into various sockets so that they would all be 100%.

Eventually, the time came for me to leave home and I set off. I reached London Fields in good time and even though I was earlier that the - sort of - official start time of 20:00, there were lots of cyclists about either getting ready, waiting for friends to arrive or just starting early to avoid the crowds.

Geoff had previously said that he would be riding the Dynamo (on big wheels) and like me would be starting earlier. Firing off a message to Geoff we arranged to meet a little further out from the start point. My hope was that I would be able to ride with Geoff as far as Epping Forest (or slightly beyond). To my delight we ended up keeping each other company for the entire 112 miles.

Pressing start on my Wahoo just before the blue iron bridge (sort of official start) I headed off and met Geoff at the Lee Valley Ice Centre.

The official, unofficial start.

It was great to see Geoff again. While I navigated via my Wahoo, Geoff was using the spoken turn by turn directions on Ride with GPS. Both worked well.

Geoff checking the route

As we cycled it gradually got darker and darker. In the distance on the horizon the setting sun threw up oranges and reds and the overall scene was one of great beauty.

Sunset in Essex 

The miles flew by on fairly quiet roads and before we knew it 44 miles were up and we stopped at Finchingfield. A pub was selling cheeseburgers for £5 and I bought one.  It didn't last long as it was pretty good and just what was needed. 

Finchingfield

At Finchingfield I saw one of the many bicycles adorned with lights. I always like seeing them but perhaps as we had set off earlier I didn't see as many as I have on previous rides.

Light bike!!

Pressing on after being suitably refuelled we decided to forgo the stop at the Sudbury Fire Station in favour of one a few miles up the road at Needham Lake. We parked our bikes overlooking the lake but as it was still dark the only thing we could make out were some swans fighting over the best floating spots.

At Needham Market there was a stall selling sausages with onions in a bun. They were wonderful and I seriously thought about getting a second!

The 100 mile mark arrived at 03:57 a.m. and it was the first time I have passed this distance on any bicycle for some time. In fact the last time I did was perhaps the Dynamo back it 2017!

I found the next 8 - 10 miles demanding. I had to stop to take on some fuel before pressing on. The last couple of miles I had a second wind and seeing a Brompton rider in front of me brought out the childish competitive streak in me and I had to overtake him. We reached Dunwich Beach just before 05:15 a.m. We had done it.

Needham Lake

Going over to see if I was able to get my ticket for the coach journey home I was told that they wouldn't be scanning the bar codes on our coach booking confirmations until 06:30 a.m. Luckily they started doing it a little earlier and I got my ticket just before 06:00 a.m. and I had a place on the 09:00 a.m. coach.

I made it!!

Geoff and I parked the bikes up and Geoff sat propped up against a little old beach hut/shed. It started to get colder and I felt absolutely frozen. Geoff was much the same. This lasted for over an hour before the sun made an appearance and started to warm things up again.

Just before 08:00 a.m. I said my goodbyes to Geoff who was going to stop off at a tea rooms for breakfast before cycling onwards to Ipswich Station.

The queue

I sat down where Geoff had and waited for the time to tick by watching the growing queue and the few brave cyclists who took a dip in the North Sea.

Riders arriving

I boarded my coach just after 08:30 a.m. put my Brompton into the luggage compartment and retired to my seat. Wheels rolled about 10 minutes after the advertised departure time and not long after that I remember very little until we stopped at Chelmsford Services for a comfort break.

Once back on the coach I drifted off again for a short while and stayed awake thereafter. Getting to our stop near Millwall football ground was slow and cumbersome due to some rather selfish parking. We got there and once off the coach I got my Brompton from the luggage area, said thanks to the driver and was off to London Bridge Station not too far away. I was home and in the shower well before 14:00 which I was pleased about.

A VERY quiet coach journey!!

I didn't actually feel too bad the next day.  Apart from feeling a little like I needed an early night the next couple of days, I was fine. I think that if I did this next year I would definitely pack a lot lighter. I packed quite a bit of food and water but I need not have. There were lots and lots of locations along the route where I could eat or top up fluids. I would also check the route on my Wahoo as I had a few differences in the official tried and tested route. In all though I enjoyed this Dynamo more than any of the others.

Thank you to Southwark Cycles and Andy who out on the coaches and got us home. Special thanks to Geoff - yet again - who allowed me to tag along. It would have been a very lonely ride without his company and I am not sure that going it alone for 112 miles would have gone down well with Mrs Orange had I not ridden with Geoff.

So, would I do it next year? I think I would have to say the chances are high.

Brompton Overnight London to Brighton Part II

Just over a week ago I was all set for a Brompton overnight London to Brighton but I had to cut this short. CLICK HERE. With the weather looking wonderful and more importantly having the time to commit to this, I offered the ride to Dr John when he enquired whether I was free over the weekend to go on a Brompton ride. This Friday night was definitely Part II.

Our meeting point was the usual location on the South Bank not too far from the London Eye. Dr John was already there when I arrive at about 23:30 and thinking it was best to get going we headed off.

The weather was wonderful and I hope that it is as good for next weeks Dunwich Dynamo. Temperatures didn't really drop below 15 degrees and for a good part of it things were a little hotter.

I decided to take my Flame Lacquer Brompton with me for this adventure, mainly as it would be a ride of firsts for it. First time up Turners Hill. First time up Ditchling Beacon. First time to Brighton. You get the idea.

Once we had got past Clapham things started to get a little quieter and eventually urban gradually gave way to rural. Before long we arrived at the cattle grid on Ditches Lane where we cycled through Farthing Downs. This areas is a protected site that is home to several rare plants. It is also of archeological importance with finds showing human occupation back to the Neolithic period. At the top we stopped for a drink of water and took in the sparkling lights of Croydon in the distance.

We continued to make excellent time and about 26 miles we looked out for the Scout Hut which for us marked our halfway stop. As we cycled along we thought things looked familiar and soon the iron fence of the Scout Hut was upon us.

There we ate the food we had brought with us and again the weather made things very comfortable. With comestibles done we headed off.

Dr John had done some research and found a small service station that was open 24-hours and more importantly had a hot drinks machine. Despite the weather not really warranting the need for a hot drink, it was still appealing. At a roundabout not actually that far from where the Scout Hut was located, the service station came into view. Not only did it have a hot drinks machine, it sold sandwiches, snacks and every type of chocolate bar imaginable. In short it was an oasis. There was even a modest seating area. With a hot drink and a cold bottle of water I sat back and we both agreed that this would be our halfway stop from now on. Refreshed - for the second time - we headed off.

The next feature of the ride was Turners Hill. It was at the top of this location I recall sitting down, resting my eyes and actually nodding off. Dr John says that it was only I that did this but I remember Dr John dozing off just before I did.

Turners Hill arrived and we made our accent and both of us made very good time up. Dr John was to later inform me that its was his fastest time up it and I suspect it may well have been mine too.

Every now and then we cycled though some cold pockets of air. This was a rather strange sensation but a welcome one as they did not last long and was almost like stepping into an air-conditioned room for a few moments and then going back outside into the warmth.

From about 03:00 dawn was on its way and in the east we could see glimpses of light trying to peak through on the horizon. This time of the morning was wonderful. Birds sang and apart from the noise our bicycles made and our conversation, it was the sound of the dawn chorus that acted as a soundtrack to our adventure.

The light and colours at certain points was beautiful - especially the orange tones that blended with the blues, white and greys of the sky.

We were making excellent time and in the distance we could see the rising hills that signalled we were getting closer to the infamous Ditchling Beacon. Just after I look the photograph below, an insect so large I feared at first was a small bird, hit me in the chest. By the time I had finished telling Dr John what it might have been I finished by stating it might have been a young Red Kite!

We arrived at the car park at the base of Ditchling Beacon which queued me taking lots of photographs of my Flame Lacquer Brompton at various points.

After taking onboard some water and the odd sweet we made our way up to the top. We weren't in any hurry and did not really care what speed we made our accent. Dr John was up in front with me a few metres behind. As we cycled along the views to my left were wonderful. It was only with the greatest self-control that I did not get off the bike and start taking photos. As I continued up and up it occurred to me that for once there were no cars going up or down. We had the Beacon to ourselves and this really was a very good time to do this.

Finally we reached the top which was the start of more photos. This done we headed off to central Brighton. Again the roads were devoid of all cars which was wonderful. The last few miles into Brighton were free-wheeling and raving at the the seafront we had done it.

After a few more photos we headed straight for the station. With about 5 minutes before our next train, I collected my ticket from one of the ticket machines and we boarded our train. I was to get off at London Bridge at about 07:40, while Dr John headed a little further. Cycling to a nearby tube station I was home before 08:30.

This was a lovely ride. Dr John and I have now completed this route several times. Both of us like it a great deal and I suspect future rides featuring the half-way stop at the 24-hour services rather than outside the Scout Hut will add another dimension. Many thanks to Dr John for again being my cycling partner for this ride.

Next weekend is the Dunwich Dynamo. From now until then I will have to make sure that I am fully prepared and have a good think about what to take/not take with me. I am looking forward to it and I am sure Dr John (it will be his first Dynamo) will enjoy it greatly too.

Preparing Brompton bikes for the Dunwich Dynamo

As I type this blog post, the Dunwich Dynamo is just over a week away. Eek!!

The Dunwich Dynamo is an annual cycling event, starting at Hackney Fields in London and finishing at Dunwich Beach, some 112 miles away.

Last Sunday by way of starting the preparations for this event I decided to give my Orange Special Edition a good clean. (It was still dirty from the very wet Whitstable run a few weeks ago). I knew that the next few weeks will be very busy for me and if I didn't start the prep now, it would all end up being last minute.

The first big decision is what Brompton to take with me? There are plus and minus points for each of my two Brompton bikes.

Orange Special Edition

• Better front dynamo light
• Older so less likely to be bothered by a summer downfall

Flame Orange

• Front and rear dynamo lights have built in reflectors - but front light not as powerful
• This bike has a Brooks B17 Titanium Special which is really, really comfortable

In truth there is not much in it.

The big thing I need to do is fit a pair of standard Marathon tyres to my Orange Special Edition. I have had Marathon Plus tyres fitted since the bike was new and although they are much better than the older versions I remember, I still prefer the standard Marathons. A brand new pair arrived today so I will hopefully fit them over the weekend.

Next is water. In hot weather I seem to need a fair bit, so I will need to carry a few bottles. Hopefully I will be able to stop along the route and fill up somewhere.

The final thing to do will be to check the bikes over and make sure I am happy with everything. I actually like the idea of having two Brompton bikes that I can choose from. Once this is all done it will be a case of turning up and pedalling into the night.

Never a dull moment on the London to Whitstable Brompton Ride

Yesterday was the day of the London to Whitstable ride - although some cycled from Otford instead. As always on this ride it proved to memorable to say the least.

I made the short ride to Trafalgar Square and headed to Charring Cross Station to collect my ticket from the ticket machine. When I bought it I had opted to collect from Whitstable and thought it had to be from there. Told I could collect it from any station - after about 7 years of thinking I couldn't - I did!

Back to Trafalgar Square and Mark, Dr John, Ian, James and one of Mark's friends on big wheels were waiting. Wasting little time we headed off promptly at 07:00 into light rain that got progressively heavier as the morning went on.

Time travelling Brompton!

Those that met at Trafalgar Square had opted for the longer route that would see us cycle just over 26 miles to Otford. The traditional route was 29 miles but Mark had wanted to mix things up a little and it allowed us to pass near Down House, the former home of Charles Darwin. We had been warned that there were a few hills. In addition, we needed a purposeful pace to get to the 'Pond Cafe' at Otford by about 09:15ish if we wanted to partake in a hobbit-like second breakfast.

As we passed, The Oval cricket ground I spotted the Nightrider 2019 London direction markers that were for the ride taking place later that evening. This was one of the first night rides I had gone on.

We reached Dulwich and past Dulwich College. I thought about the former Old Alleynian, Sir Ernest Shackleton and what he might think of our small wheeled adventure? I was afeared it may be less than kind so gave him and the college a swift two fingers as I cycled past.

The urban gave way to a more countryside setting and the rain started falling a little more heavily. At one point on a narrow country lane our path was totally blocked by what looked like builders waste - bricks, rubble, wood - that had been fly tipped on purpose across the road. Cars would have been unable to get past and it is a shame people are so selfish as to do something like this. Stepping over it carefully one by one we continued our sojourn.

Fly tipping

As stated, Mark has informed us that there would be hills on this ride. What came next was a hill that was quite outrageous. It got steeper and steeper and harder than any I have ever attempted. Towards the end - although I did not know it was near the end - the incline was so great I found difficulty in keeping any weight over the front of the bike. A few others were off their bikes. Trying to make a few more revolutions of the pedals, like a young Evel Knieval I started to wheelie and my front wheel began to rise upwards. At this point I was off too and when my feet hit the floor the incline was so severe my bike started to roll back under my legs!  When we rested on the road at the top I think it was Ian who point out the sign that read 25%!! Incidentally, Mark (King of the Hill) lived up to his moniker as he ascended this one on a 54T chainring without a foot down!

25%!!!

We continued to make good progress and made it to the Pond Cafe in Otford at about 09:20ish. Wasting little time we ordered some refreshments which when out in front of us were consumed with great relish.

The Pond Cafe, Otford

When paying I spotted a white 'Twix' which I bought and would look forward to later in in the day. At 10:00 we made our way to Otford station where the other half of riders were waiting to join the ride - Andrew, David, Anne, Paul and Catherine. In many ways it was a little like the old days with the old firm out and about again on their Brompton bicycles.

With the first half over for those who had started at Trafalgar Square the second half began and there would be another 48 or so miles to go to Whitstable.  Not having to be anywhere at a certain time the pace could be a little more relaxed.

It was lovely catching up with everyone and riding in particular with David and Anne again brought back many happy memories.

At one point into the ride we spotted a DeLorean. Those of you of a certain age may well recall with some fondness this particular car and its time travelling ability. As Doc said. '...if you're going to build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?'

I have seen this car a few times on this ride in the past but never stopped to take a photo. This time I could not resist! 

Photo opportunities were not as plentiful as usual mainly due to the whether. It rained, rained a little more and then poured down! It has been a long time since I have got so wet on a ride. My cheap 'boil in the bag' rain jacket was good at keeping almost all of the rain out, but I was getting wet from within!

As the rain poured we reached the sanctuary of the 'Kings Arms' at Boxley at the scheduled time of 12:30. With our bikes parked outside and Andrew and I kept watching they were safe. Every so often Andrew and Paul wiped the condensation off the window so we could get a better view! Getting fed and watered we could also warm up a little. As we did, out of the window we could see the rain coming down hard. We therefore waited a little longer before making our departure.

The Kings Arms, Boxley

The next few miles consisted of us actually putting our rain jackets away as the sun made an appearance. The scenery was - as always is the case for Kent - glorious.

Cycling along was very pleasant to say the least and it was great to hear what people were up to and what adventures they had planned for the near future.

I could not resist taking a photo or two of Mark and David cycling side by side and again it brought back many a previous adventure.

The dreaded Hollingbourne Hill was still to come and at about 7 miles after lunch I was glad I had taken on some fuel at the luncheon stop to aid my ascent.

Hollingbourne Hill is about a mile long in length and has a maximum gradient of over 12 - 16% depending on what you read on the internet. It isn't easy and on a Brompton formidable. At the base of the climb we all assembled and got ourselves ready. After the 25% gradient earlier in the day I have two say that I felt pretty good about this one! A few were up in front of me and I made a steady ascent. I was pleased that I made it up without a foot down.

I decided to take a photo once almost everyone had made it up and I think the one below pretty much sums up what this hill is like.

It gets very steep towards the end and if you look at the photo below you can clearly see the road sloping quite heavily down.

My partner in crime will almost certainly describe his thoughts on Hollinbourne Hill himself but I do have to say that if there was a man of the match award for this ride, it would be his. He had not cycled any distances like this for a few years and now thrown himself back into it. He was to complete the 48 miles all the way to Whitstable. 

Not long after Hollingborune Hill the rain paid another visit and came down hard. We sought sanctuary under trees while we waited for the tail to catch us up, we speculated as to whether we should go or wait it out. We decided to go. We were already wet I suppose.

With just over 65 miles showing on my Wahoo and with Faversham and its train station nearby I decided to bail. The legs had many more miles in them and I could have reached Whitstable and more with ease but if I had I would have been home quite late - later than I wanted. I love these rides but I am often torn between staying and getting home.  Together with being a family man and having a daughter with Autism, I get pangs of guilt that I have been out too long. As such when I feel I have had enough, I go.

My dear Friend Dr John decided that he would afford me his company so we made our farewells and headed for Faversham Station.

Boarding our train for St Pancras we retired to our seats - opposite the luggage rack so we could keep a suitable eye on our bikes - and chatted about this ride and possible future adventures. At St Pancras we headed our separate ways and I was happy to get home just after 18:30.

This was a lovely ride and despite not going all the way to Whitstable, I cycled 67 miles. The route was good, the weather made it epic and the company - perhaps the most important element - was great. Many thanks to Mark for organising it and I hope that he decides to put it on again - perhaps sorting out the weather as well.