nice write up DavidB.
We were lucky in that we saw none of the ‘Walthamstow abuse” you encountered. In fact everyone seemed really positive towards all riders, the Essex boys egging us from their Corsas (I think it was positve), the families in their gardens shouting encouragement, and the lone old man somewhere in Suffolk ringing the final lap bell as each rider passed. The only abuse I got was a dive bombing bat that skimmed my hat.
You got to Dunwich very early. I got there about 6.30am and the stream of riders coming in was constant whilst I was there until about 8ish.