People who complained about the noise caused by an overnight cycle ride through Suffolk have been advised to “be somewhere else” for next year’s event.

The 26th Dunwich Dynamo, which took place on Saturday night into Sunday morning, led to complaints from some of those living along the route, particularly its stretches through “sleepy” Suffolk villages.

Philip Lancaster, who lives in Chelsworth, said that while the first Dunwich Dynamos passed without notice, recent events had grown too big. Now, he said, thousands of cyclists took part, causing “hour after hour” of disturbance.

Others living along the route have also complained about a minority of cyclists making noise, listening to loud music and urinating on their property.

MORE: Overnight cycle ride attracts noise complaints from ‘sleepy’ Suffolk villages

Their complaints, however, have been dismissed as “whingeing” or “moaning” by a number of people on social media, who have praised the event as well as its support for charities and local businesses.

The event, which generally follows a route from London to Dunwich, passing through Suffolk communities including, Sudbury, Needham Market and Framlingham, has become an iconic fixture on the cycling calendar.

Southwark Cyclists, which organises transport back to London, has highlighted the event’s many benefits.

Andy Cawdell, Southwark Cyclists co-ordinator, said: “For many local community groups this is their single biggest revenue event for raising much needed local funds.

“Sudbury Fire Station looks to have made just over £4,000 from their community food station.

“All anti-social behaviour and rowdy behaviour is not welcomed, including loud motorbikes, dropping litter, and shouting. But this unusual ride is not just about cycling nor racing. It is about individuals coming together one night of the year, doing something extraordinary, and communities working together to benefit others too.

“The next iteration is expected to be on July 13/14, 2019, so one option would be for those disturbed by the event to be somewhere else on that weekend leaving those for whom it is a major fundraiser to make part of the money they need for their activities for the year.”

Cyclist Alex Southern also spoke out in support of the event.

“The roads are open to all and free to use,” he added. “Cars make far more noise than cyclists, have brighter headlights and pollute the countryside with exhaust fumes and oil.

“The majority of participants on the Dunwich Dynamo are respectful of villages and refrain from speaking in them.

“The Dunwich Dynamo bolsters the economy of East Anglia, creates worldwide engagement with the East Anglian area through social media interaction and should be celebrated rather than encountering negativity.”

Those involved in the event have pointed out there are no official organisers and many people hold their own versions of the event on their own terms.