Many people have written tips for riding the Dunwich Dynamo, but these are some of mine...
Prepare your bike Make sure your bike is in great working condition; the alternative is breaking down in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere! Check brake pads for excessive wear, tyres for wear or damage, lube the chain and take at least 2 spare inner tubes, tyre levers and all the tools you need to take the wheel off. If you're not sure, head to London Bike Kitchen who are open before the event and can show you how and supply the spares you need!
Prepare yourself Watch a film in the afternoon, snooze a bit, sleep if you can, get yourself to the start with enough time to relax. Wear clothes that are comfortable to cycle in and won't get cold when wet. 'Lycra' cycling kit is the ideal thing to wear—it's designed for the purpose!Beers at the end A pint or so is ok at the start, but don't cane the beers before you get going. Aside from needing to take 'comfort breaks' lots, the alcohol dehydrates you and it might even affect your bike handling and a crash before you even get going isn't fun. Enjoy a beer with breakfast instead at Dunwich. There's not often there's a good excuse to drink first thing in the morning!
Pack food and liquid Not a huge picnic, but enough to keep your energy levels up. You should be able to carry all the food you need in cycling jersey pockets but you may need to plan the types of food you take. Generally you need food that can be turned into fuel for your muscles; fast-metabolising carbs such as rice cakes and energy gels are popular with cyclists but Jelly Babies, salted peanuts, banana, fig rolls, malt loaf and honey sandwiches are all great. Focus on complex carbohydrates such as cereals, bread and pasta or simple carbohydrates such as sugar—rather than protein-heavy foods—and eat the protein after you've finished to help muscles recover.
You could be burning 3000kcal during the event so it's important to keep eating. You should be eating at least once an hour (30-60g of carbs) and drinking often; something like powdered sports energy drinks or even a 50/50 mix of fruit juice/water with a little bit of salt. Just keep yourself topped up rather than eating lots at once; too much food in your stomach can cause discomfort while riding, especially food high in fibre so you can favour carbs such as 'white' pasta rather than wholemeal. On an event like the Dynamo take some food that makes you feel good too. It's not all about fuelling the body and some sweeties can really lift the spirits if you're feeling a little tired.
It's not a race Really, it's not! Don't be 'that guy/girl'. There will be lots of inexperienced bunch-riders doing the Dynamo and smashing it like you're on your first sportive isn't good style—if you want to race, come and race at a proper event instead. Know the difference between going fast and being fast. Don't get pushed into riding faster than you're totally comfortable with. If your group is going too fast let them know you're going to slow down and make your own way there and then ride at your pace. There are plenty of people around to look out for you and you can meet more cycling friends!
Consider forgetting your panniers You don't need that much kit, unless you're touring, so consider leaving your panniers at home? A bum-bag or light-weight backpack is enough generally. You'll see experienced cyclists not really carrying much, but they have all they need; tools, spares, food and drink. A bag may not feel heavy on a 5km commute but might do on a 200km ride! Travel fast and light!
Stay aware Be conscious that you're riding in the middle of a lot of people so it's up to you to keep yourself safe and watch out for potholes etc. If you need to slow down, don't just jam on the brakes. Check behind you, say "Slowing!" and move over to the side before starting to brake. You also might be used to riding close to the wheel in front but some might not expect it and might brake suddenly. Especially when you're tired and it's in the early hours! Look out for each other!
Expect rain Take a lightweight rain coat with you, more to keep the wind-chill off rather than staying totally dry. There's not much chance of staying totally dry on a bike so embrace it, but make sure you keep warm.
Be careful with super-bright lights They might be great for around London but super-bright lights are often unnecessary as your eyes are much more used to the dark and they can also be uncomfortable for other riders—especially super-bright rear lights! If somebody's behind you your lights could mean they can't see the road properly. If you can't swap them for less powerful ones, point them down at the road not in riders' faces.
Follow the 'established ettiquette' There are no 'rules' but the mantra is:
- Don’t drop litter.
- Don’t wake sleeping villagers.
- Have fun.
- See you on the beach
Take it easy afterwards After the Dynamo you'll be fatigued and you might feel a little spaced out for a couple of days. Take it easy and catch up on sleep. You may well experience the feeling of the road whizzing by when you sleep!
Enjoy Yeah, it's a cliché, but enjoy it! It's magical!