Cyclists Face Post-Ride Travel Hurdles After Dunwich Dynamo
Cyclists heading to the Suffolk coast for the Dunwich Dynamo ride this July are being advised to reconsider their return plans. Greater Anglia has confirmed that trains will not accommodate bicycles on key routes following the event, citing limited capacity. The restrictions apply to both Intercity and local services on 13 and 14 July, leaving many riders without access to public transport back to London.
On Saturday 12 July, the usual rule of six bicycles per train will remain in effect, with reservations required for Intercity services. However, no bicycles will be permitted on Sunday trains departing from Ipswich or running between Lowestoft, Ipswich, and Norwich. The following Monday, restrictions continued, with bikes banned on the same local routes and reservations mandatory for any bike spots on mainline trains.
For the safety of our customers, we are unfortunately unable to support the Dunwich Dynamo 2025, as we cannot offer mass transit for the large number of cyclists involved.
The Dunwich Dynamo is an informal overnight cycling ride that starts in London and ends on the Suffolk coast, covering around 180 kilometres. Participants typically reach Dunwich in the early hours of the morning, often relying on trains to return. This year’s transport limitations mean travellers will need to plan well in advance, as local infrastructure offers few alternatives at dawn.
For those unfamiliar with the area, options such as arranging private transport, booking accommodation near the finish point, or joining a pre-organised group return may be necessary. Catching a bus right after the event won't be easy, as most services don’t run that early in the morning. Anyone heading to the coast or helping cyclists get back should be ready for packed trains and changes to the usual timetable.
The struggle to get bikes on trains shows just how tricky it still is to mix cycling with public transport across the UK. These rules might help keep things under control on busy trains, but they also show how unprepared the system is when loads of cyclists hit the tracks at once. For travellers, this is a clear reminder that logistics can often shape the success of an active travel experience.