Dunwich Done Again

Only David and Paul this time with others otherwise indisposed (possibly a good choice). Rather than go down to London, we set off at 7.30 pm on Saturday evening (30.6.12) and cycled the 50 or so miles via the back lanes to Sible Hedingham. After a 30 min. rest there we followed the set route as indicated below with the moon and - finally - the 13 mph breeze behind us. The darkest hours between 1.30 and 3.30 were also the toughest on the legs and lungs, made worse by the fact that, having gotten to Sible Hedingham by 11-ish, rather than midnight as was the case last year riding from London, we were regularly passed by the fitter riders who you tend only to see at the start before they disappear into the distance. Switching to a proper sport drink - Lucozade Isotonic as advised by Robin - around this time definitely helped, though, and we were able to pick up again and make good time, arriving at 4.30 a.m. before the sun rose above the North Sea's perfect blue horizon. Great scene of arriving riders as the morning warmed. Snoozed under sleeping bag with silver emergency blanket around heads to keep off the still chilling breeze. Good breakfast as ever at the local café, which was already open when we arrived. Thanks to Carolyn for picking us up and driving us home. Not too many aches and pains the following day, which proves that those recovery shakes (in this case REGO Total Recovery Fuel - chocolate flavour) also work pretty well.
Willingham, Cottenham, Waterbeach, Fen Ditton, Six Mile Bottom, Brinkley, Little Thurlow, Gt. Wratting, Calford, Calford Green, Sturmer, Strambourne, Toppesfield, Gainsford End (wrong), Toppesfield again, back south to High Street Green, Sible Hedingham.
Essex
SIBLE HEDINGHAM (feeding station in Village Hall)
CASTLE HEDINGHAM
BULMER TYE

Suffolk

SUDBURY
GREAT WALDINGFIELD
MONKS ELEIGH
BILDESTON
NEEDHAM MKT
CODDENHAM
HEMMINGSTONE
GOSBECK
HELMINGHAM
FRAMSDEN
CRETINGHAM
BRANDESTON
KETTLEBURGH
FRAMLINGHAM
BRUISYARD
PEASENHALL
SIBTON CHURCH
DARSHAM
WESTLETON
DUNWICH Village
DUNWICH Beach
 
About 120 miles. Ride time 8 hours, total time 9 hours.
No swim again - which means we'll probably have to go again next year.
Paul
 

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