The Dunwich Dynamo is an overnight ride from Hackney Fields in East London to Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. Undertaken every year during summer solstice, the longest day of the year, this ride is a unique event that evolved naturally from the London cycling scene. A group of friends devised the route and decided to ride it overnight, in order to watch the sun come up at the coast. After the first occurrence they agreed to repeat the ride, with the numbers increasing year-on-year. Today thousands of cyclists take part.

At 112 miles (180 km) the official Dunwich Dynamo route takes in rolling terrain and country roads as riders wind their way out of London, through Essex and into Suffolk. The aim is to arrive at the beach in Dunwich in time to watch the sun come up. It’s a wonderful ride, and watching the sun rise over the sea is a very special moment. However, riding overnight means that you miss out on some fantastic countryside and beautiful roads, and an overnight stay at The Ship at Dunwich. So I devised a four-stage Tour from London to Dunwich and back that can be ridden in a long weekend, in the daylight.

Stages 1 and 2 follow the official route, so you’ll be able to say you’ve ridden the Dynamo route, with stages 3 and 4 following the arc of the Suffolk coast back through Woodbridge and Ipswich, before entering Essex and finally returning to London. Each day is a manageable 60 miles (100 km) or less, making it suitable for most cyclists and giving you plenty of time to explore the surrounding area.

Starting in London Fields, like the official event, you’ll exit London via Epping Forest and out into the lanes of Essex. At the end of stage 1 you’ll cross into Suffolk and stop at the pretty market town of Sudbury. From here you’ll continue following the official route through picturesque villages and towns as you head north-east to the coast. Arriving in Dunwich at the beach, you can enjoy celebratory fish and chips in the garden at The Ship.

Stages 3 and 4 take you closer to the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB before heading through Ipswich and Colchester on your way to Witham, a mediaeval Essex market town. After a night in Witham, you’ll return to East London via Chelmsford.

There are plenty of accommodation options available at the end of each stage, from B&Bs to campsites, with a good range of pubs to choose from too. There are also many quaint countryside towns to stop off in for a mid-ride coffee and cake.

I’ve included the full Tour in the Collection in case you wish to edit the itinerary to suit your requirements.