So this route was announced a few weeks ago, and even warranted a post on the Grit/CX channel. I "stumbled" across a GPX of the route earlier today and have spent a little time having a look at where it goes.
There appears to be quite a bit of footpath involved, at least it looks like footpath from the maps I've looked at, but I don't know if there's provision for cycle usage as well. For example, the track alongside the River Colne out of Wivenhoe. There's also quite a bit of the Suffolk Coast Path involved, and again I can't find anything saying you can cycle on it. There's also a section after Lakenheath, that appears to be a private farm track, i.e. not a right of way of any sort.
I quite fancied having a bash at it this weekend, but don't want to get into any strife with walkers, farmers, etc. Has anyone ridden on the track out of Wivenhoe, or on the Suffolk Coast Path, specifically the bit passed the Martello Towers towards Shingle Street and on passed Orford...?
I don't know about the Suffolk Coastal path but the track along the river from Wivenhoe is definitely a mixed use foot and cycle path as far as the edge of Colchester: https://www.visitcolchester.com/things-to-do/the-wivenhoe-trail-p1250381
Past the Martello towers from Bawdsey is a trade route for cyclists at the weekend. Be wary of The Sailors path from Snape to Aldeburgh as we haven't had that confirmed as a mixed use path yet. (We is work, cycling holidays for the gentry in Suffolk & Norfolk).
I don’t know about the Suffolk Coastal path but the track along the river from Wivenhoe is definitely a mixed use foot and cycle path as far as the edge of Colchester: https://www.visitcolchester.com/things-to-do/the-wivenhoe-trail-p1250381/blockquote >
That bit is NCR51/EV2, it's the bit after that, Brightlingsea Branch (?) that I've got concerns about. Although the Google Streetview of the start at Wivenhoe Quay shows a bloke on a bike heading straight for it... 🤷 The route shortly heads back up to join the NCR, so if I get there and it's not, I can just follow the NCR anyway.
Past the Martello towers from Bawdsey is a trade route for cyclists at the weekend.
That's good to know, there does look like a track parallel to the footpath, just wasn't sure of its status.
Be wary of The Sailors path from Snape to Aldeburgh as we haven’t had that confirmed as a mixed use path yet. (We is work, cycling holidays for the gentry in Suffolk & Norfolk).
I took one look at that bit and said nope. My route takes the byway up to the main road, then a bridleway on the other side a short while later, before dropping into Aldeburgh on Leiston Road. To be honest, it would probably be easier to heading into Leiston, then take the bridleway through the golf course, and pick up the byway to Sizewell; I have no great inclination to go to Aldeburgh , but maybe it's pretty or something...
Thanks both.
On some level I have to trust that whomever came up with this route knows what they're doing, but that Sailors Path, the bit our of Lakenheath, and the utter cluster **** between Cambridge and Haverhill has raised concerns.
How does it go between Cambridge and Haverhill? Couldn't see the whole route in the OP but maybe I'm being blind?
I rode it last weekend apart from the loop above Norwich. The bit between Cambridge and Haverhill takes in the Roman Road up to Horseheath and then single track to Haverhill. The section in Cambridge is so that riders can stop off at Bicycle Ambulance (open weekdays only) but can easily be avoided (wouldn't say that it's a cluster ****).
There's clearly some sections that are footpath only, the South Coastal path does have a parallel track for most of it. Agree that there are also bits where there's obvious better alternatives.
For me there was a bit too much road (Southwold to Norwich) and it might be better done clockwise.
Aldeburgh is quite pretty to be fair but not worthy of a monster diversion imo.
How does it go between Cambridge and Haverhill? Couldn’t see the whole route in the OP but maybe I’m being blind?
It follows the Roman Road, but rather than going all the way, it drops you down into Linton via Rivey Hill. However, it takes you on a bizarre loop through some back streets so you can pass the newsagent, rather than just going round the one way system; which it takes you round anyway. It then takes you down the A1307, which is dual carriageway at that point, rather than a bridleway which would avoid that. To be honest, there's no logical reason for it to go down into Linton and you're better off staying on the Roman Road all the way.
Once the rideable bit of the Roman Road finishes between Streetly End and Horseheath, it takes you down a load of footpath, before dumping you out onto the A1307 again. There's more footpath on the way to Sturmer, where it dumps you onto the main road again to slog it out to Stoke; it's not like there a bridleway out of Sturmer that would shorten time on that road or anything.
Way better ways of getting from Cambridge to, and round, Haverhill without having to subject people to the local road of death, and pointless deviations.
Way better ways of getting from Cambridge to, and round, Haverhill without having to subject people to the local road of death, and pointless deviations.
Yup, best thing is not to take the route as gospel and avoid the sections which are there for re-supplying or just show lack of local knowledge. I'm assuming that the more people who do the route and feedback to Richard, the better it will get.
Aldeburgh is quite pretty to be fair but not worthy of a monster diversion imo.
Other than fish and chips on the market square. Don't arrive too late or the catch will be sold out!
The bridleways in that part of the world can be a bit sandy (he said with some understatement).
