ESSENTIAL SUMMER RIDES ESSENTIAL SUMMER RIDES

Dunwich Dynamo

riding through the night aiming for sunrise at Dunwich.

The Dunwich Dynamo or ‘Dun Run’ is a semi-legendary pilgrimage to the sea, starting at London Fields and ending at Dunwich beach on the Suffolk coast.

Started in the early 90s as an informal ride, today it’s described as ‘semi-organised’, a self-supported 200km challenge made all the more interesting by its one big twist. This is a night ride — starting from 8pm and

While this may sound like an idea brewed up by a gang of masochistic road racers, it’s actually a ride more commonly taken on by the enthusiastic but casual amateur. Road bikes, hybrids, Dutch bikes, and everything in between, will be seen along the route. There’s usually a tandem or two, and some riders have even done it on Santander hire bikes.

There’s no set route and the guidance is not to assume anyone else knows where they’re going. What you’re sure to see is a glorious trail of red from the rear lights snaking ahead of you. Towards the end of the ride, you may start seeing riders flashing past you in the opposite direction and that’s because some of the more extreme participants are on their way back to London (riding up to 400km in total). n Date: Saturday 1 July n southwarkcyclists.org.uk

Most of us mere mortals will stop at the beach for a much-needed breakfast, swim and a bus ride home. Transport back to London is organised by Southwark Cyclists, LCC’s local group in the borough. Advance tickets are sold to transport you and your bike home, and any excess cash goes to LCC to support safer cycling across London.

If you’ve never taken on a major cycling challenge well out of your comfort zone before, this is the one for you. It’s flat(ish), it’s friendly and the rewards are unparalleled. Just remember those spare lights!

When Wren Ride

Sir Christopher Wren remains one of the most renowned English architects in history, best known for the reconstruction of St Paul’s Cathedral. 2023 marks 300 years since his death, making this When Wren Ride that bit more special.

This is an all-abilities ride taking on 42km (26 miles) across London, visiting some of Wren’s greatest masterpieces along a stunningly green and mostly traffic-free route.

Starting at Hampton Court Palace, you’ll weave through Kingston, before passing through Richmond Park where

— thanks to the protected sightline created in 1710 — you can see directly across the city to St Paul’s. The route follows the Tamsin Trail to Roehampton Gate before next passing through Barnes Common.

Once at Putney, you’ll join the river and keep to its banks for much of the ride and you’ll be treated by a sudden flurry of Wrens as you pass through the City. The cobbled streets of Wapping take you back along the river, before passing through the dramatic juxtaposition of Canary Wharf. Cream teas await at the Old Royal Navy College

LONDON TO BRIGHTON (ROAD)

in Greenwich where the ride ends.

The only requirement for this ride, beyond having a functioning bike, is a love for history. You may have seen many of the buildings along the route before, but you’ll see them in a whole new light guided by regular London Cyclist contributor Charlie Codrington. The ride is expected to take more than two hours — some older children or kids on tag-along cycles could find this an enjoyable exploration too.

n Sunday 6 August n eventbrite.co.uk/e/when-wren-ridetickets-623484126807

The Beacon can be a tricky climb to get right: undulating and at points steep, it is easy to set off too quickly and struggle up the final stretches. The rewards, however, don’t disappoint. At the top you’re greeted by a stunning view towards the finish and an epic descent to get you there.

There’s refreshments at the end and Brighton has plenty to offer whether that’s pubs or a quick swim. Extra trains usually run to get you back home.

If there was ever a classic sportive for Londoners, this would be it. Close to due south starting from Clapham Common and ending at the sea, this is a ride that can bring great rewards for every rider. It’s long enough to pose a real challenge to new cyclists and short enough to make the ideal super-fast training day for any seasoned racer. n Sunday 10 September n lcc.org.uk/events/londonbrighton-2023

This is a ride that has its fair share of climbing — it’s far from mountainous, but the North and South Downs do throw up a few inclines, including the iconic Ditchling Beacon at the end of the route.

Team LCC still has a number of fundraising places available for the September event for £20 (that’s 65% cheaper than standard entry) and you’ll get one of our special Team LCC jerseys. Join us there and you’ll be helping make London safer for cycling, as well as getting the chance to tick off a classic.

Glamour Ride

If your idea of dressing up for a bike ride doesn’t have to involve Lycra, look no further. Since 2005, the annual Glamour Ride has woven its merry way through London’s streets — it’s a casual leisure ride where the main attraction is the outfits and the experience.

There are only three instructions for participants: bring your most glamorous outfit, your most glamourous bike and your most glamorous attitude. Some dazzling outfits have featured over the years — could you blow everyone away this year with yours?

Starting in Mile End and passing along quiet streets and towpaths towards the City, the ride takes in landmarks like Shadwell Basin, St Paul’s and Tate Modern. Expect a pace where everyone will be chatting and laughing, with plenty more of the same to follow at the traditional post-ride soirée on the Southbank.

The ride is organised by the Tower Hamlets Wheelers, LCC’s local group in the borough. The group is currently working tirelessly to defend high quality cycling infrastructure in their area that’s under threat from the new administration. And the Glamour Ride is a real testament to why this fight to defend such safe spaces for cycling are so vital. By enabling people to safely ride their bikes, you not only reduce congestion and fight climate change, but also give people an invaluable means of socialising and relaxing in the great outdoors. Get you glad rags on! n Date TBC (usually early July) n towerhamletswheelers.org.uk

LONDON TO BRIGHTON OFF-ROAD

For the seasoned knobbly-tyred rider, this is an event that needs to be on your bucket list. It’s a longer and significantly more challenging route than the roadies face, starting from Walton-on-Thames in south-west London and ending at Hove Lawns. It covers 120km and there’s 1,295m of ascent to test your mettle.

There are several events to choose

London Orbital Ride

from, the most popular of which is the British Heart Foundation’s September outing — Europe’s biggest charity mountain bike event. There’s also a brilliant night-time option by the same organisers (roughrideguide.co.uk).

Scaling the Surrey Hills and the South Downs, there is no lack of climbing along the way. Expect some technical terrain and, potentially, mud. It’s possible to do these rides on a gravel or cyclocross bike, although the vast majority tackle the course on a mountain bike; there’s plenty of lovely singletrack and dedicated trails, plus a handful of road sections. The best view awaits at the top of Truleigh Hill and your first glimpse of the sea.

There’s something immensely satisfying about riding to the coast, with the Channel on the horizon — and the thought of fish and chips, and a beer, on Hove Lawns is enough to keep anyone pushing through the inevitable fatigue.

n Saturday 23 September n bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help n Any time n audax.uk/event-details/7352

The London Orbital Ride takes many forms, but the ‘official’ ride from Audax UK is a 310km loop around Greater London, with some generous extra space in between you and the M25 for a more scenic and lengthier lap.

There is no set date for this ride; you register and take on the challenge independently, starting anywhere along the loop and ticking off checkpoints or ‘controls’ as you go. There are multiple other routes too, including those that hug closer to the M25 and also an off-road and gravel route.

You might think a lap of Europe’s biggest city would be nothing but traffic jams and smog, but even the route close to the M25 is surprisingly quiet, green and pleasant. The full-length Audax ride takes in some incredible countryside and some stunning climbs through Kent, plus an excellent selection of lanes through Essex and Hertfordshire.

Looping the capital is no mean feat and seeing the entirety of London sat in the middle of your map is guaranteed to put a wide grin on your face... once you’re finished and well fed!

Stronger riders may ride to and from home to their start/ finish point, but this is by no means necessary, you can use a train. The Audax route also passes directly through St Albans and Windsor which are both easy to get to by train from central London.