East coast cycle one sunday

Well I did this ride yesterday (or most of it anyway). More below.

Firstly, Scooby Snax was my thought for the fish 'n chips as it's just won an award.

Wingdiver, I take my trike on trains but usually end up driving to the start of a ride. Not much use if the finish point is somewhere else.

So anyway, yesterday's ride.

We started at 11am (due to cheaper train fares for my ride partner coming up from Southend). We reached Walton just after half past twelve and decided to have lunch at the Harbour Lights (£4.95 carvery is just such a bargain!) and also popped into Chellers to empty the dehumidifier.

I did a small part of the route around Bradfield Heath incorrectly so I'll redraw the map later this weekend when I've got some spare time.

Peter and I didn't go to the Naze Tower - we've done it before - but followed the route to Frinton. The road from Frinton to Little Holland/Little Clacton wasn't that great and I want to try to work out an alternative. Too busy with cars, and this on a Thursday after lunch - a Saturday could be busier. I'll see what I can do.

The bit going across from Weeley towards Great Bentley was fine (I've done it before) but the last bit towards Brightlingsea was again a bit busy with lots of fast cars. I don't mind those sort of roads but I know others don't like them - if people would prefer I can try to find something quieter.

We didn't pop down into Brightlingsea as we were running a bit short of time (Peter needed to catch a train around 5pm from Manningtree) so cut straight back at Thorrington.

The road to Brightlingsea isn't great for bikes. There's a cycle path but it's almost impossible to join it unless there's not much traffic; if you don't manage it then you have to climb the hill - in my case rather slowly. It's not such an issue leaving Brightlingsea. Again, this is something we'll have to play by ear at the time.

Once I've redrawn the route I'll post it up here again so you can comment. It will probably end up a little bit longer due to taking quieter roads, but I'll think about it; the alternative is to cut directly westwards from Walton along the NCN51 and then down to Brightlingsea - these are all familiar roads to me and nice and quiet, but it would mean we're retracing our route quite a lot. Not sure what y'all think of that.
 
Did 75 miles today (Billericay to Bardfield) and my legs are feeling a bit tired. Rather hilly too!

Early next week I'll look at a slightly altered route for our ride. I don't mind the busy roads to ride on, but it means you're in single file and can't really chat easily. Quieter roads are more sociable!
 
OK, I've done some slight tweaks to the route and it's now 44 miles but hopefully quieter roads.

If anyone wants the GPX file, please let me know. Or you could download it from here: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=109059

All OK for a 10am start at Manningtree station? Anyone want to make it earlier? It'll be tea and cake at the Naze Tower, then chips at Scooby Snax in Brightlingsea.
 
So, how did it go? You had a great day for it.

All day I kept on looking at my bike, parked across my study, then looking out of the window at the weather, and muttering "bah!"
 
It was a great Morning. Set off from Manningtree with Neil and Helen at 9.00 and had tea and cake at Walton on the Naze followed by fish and chips at Brightlingsea. Very healthy this cycling lark. Joined on the cycle home by Mr. Chellers.

I think we did 50 miles by the end.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top