London to Harwich

Has anyone on here cycled to or from Harwich, if so I'm looking for a half scenic route away from the major roads if possible. Tried using the search on couldn't find anything here, Google throws up dual carriage and motor ways only, so thought posting a new thread might throw up some results. Thanks!

Not sure if you're familiar with this part of google, but you can drag the route to go through specific points that mean that you won't be directed along motor ways and dual carriage ways. Simply click and drag the blue line onto other routes and google will affix a waypoint.

For instance, I constructed this route which has minimal main road usage and mostly in towns were traffic would be slower.

Not sure if you're familiar with this part of google, but you can drag the route to go through specific points that mean that you won't be directed along motor ways and dual carriage ways. Simply click and drag the blue line onto other routes and google will affix a waypoint.

For instance, I constructed this route which has minimal main road usage and mostly in towns were traffic would be slower.

Indeed not really familiar with that part of google, normally a bit of an oaf with it TBH. Only used the to and from option, satelite and street view really. Might have to give it a go.
Thanks

Easy way to get started with a quieter route is to select "Walking" option from the dropdown = keeps you of M-Ways and crazy dual carriageways.

Has anyone on here cycled to or from Harwich, if so I'm looking for a half scenic route away from the major roads if possible. Tried using the search on couldn't find anything here, Google throws up dual carriage and motor ways only, so thought posting a new thread might throw up some results. Thanks!

Were you looking to get the ferry to Hoek Van Holland perchance? If you find a good cycle route I would be interested in seeing it. I was planning a cycle tour of Holland in Sept and originally was going to just get the train to Harwich but maybe I should HTFU and ride.

Were you looking to get the ferry to Hoek Van Holland perchance? If you find a good cycle route I would be interested in seeing it. I was planning a cycle tour of Holland in Sept and originally was going to just get the train to Harwich but maybe I should HTFU and ride.

Treadders, HTFU and ride the bastard. Got my 45 your old uncle and a friend of his on their single speed bikes from Berlin at the moment. Neither of them have ever cycled more than 60 KM a day. They expect to arrive on Friday in Harwich, crossing Netherlands East to West, bit of a ride to say the least. I'll be going up to Harwich and ride back down to London London on Saturday and am still searching for a nice route.
Once we've completed the route I'll post it here.

Easy way to get started with a quieter route is to select "Walking" option from the dropdown = keeps you of M-Ways and crazy dual carriageways.

Thanks, didn't think of that one. Maybe we should harass Google and get a cycle it option on there as well?

check out sustrans - there's a whole load of national cycle path thingies which you could use. I live nearish to harwich and cycle along some of the sustrans routes which are generally very low traffic. Routes can be a bit meandering, but better than any big-ass dual carriageway.

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/map?key=East%20of%20England&type=RG

Oh, one more thing, dont believe that essex is flat either.

Just by the way, http://www.bikemap.net/ gives you an altitude/distance graph which shows you where all the hills are and how high etc.

I used to get that ferry a lot - the roads aren't great around there. I always used to train it and start riding from the other end after the ferry crossing.

taking the train is not an option. there's a bit of pride riding on this one, shitty roads it'll have to be. Still didn't find that elusive perfect route for this ride!

just get a decent OS map and play it by ear

The google walking route it will be! Got a feeling it might turn out to be a long weekend!

Thanks for the info all.
For those interested, Harwich to London is a bitch of a ride won't be doing it again or recommend it to anyone. Did Harwich to London on A roads, B roads, country paths the bloody lot.The hills are a right killer as well. Did 85 miles on day 1 and a further 69 miles on day 2 (London to Henley). These were my first long distance rides since I was a teenager and to glad to have done it on a single speed (42 x 16) and not on my fixed Raleigh. Legs are fine arms are sore and got a classic t-shirt tan. Used suncream so nead to post the pictures on that t-shirt tan thread.

The road from the A12 to Harwich is one of the worst surfaces I have ever driven on, I bet it was horrible on a bike. It's a nasty road too, very narrow and busy with goods vehicles.

Maybe next time you should considering rowing up the Thames back to London!

That was indeed the worst part of the journey. HGV's passing 2 inches away from your shoulders at 50 miles per hour is not a fun thing. Have to admit I underestimated those hills a little bit as well. Need to get out of London more often I suppose. Perhaps it's time for me to HTFU!

did the a12 yesterday horrible road indeed
loads of nice back roads around that area if yuo can find them and are willing to do a few extra miles

can anyone give me a proper good map/directions for this journey?
got plans to do the whole holland trip this easter. is this part of the trip really that bad? probably going to be doing it with a lot of..interesting riders.

This is similar to riding to Clapton-on-Sea:
http://www.bikemap.net/route/337277

You just divert at Colchester.

Have ridden to both.

thank you very much

So for people who have done this ride, would you say screw it and catch a train?

I've got a nice route to Felixstowe which is just round the corner to Harwich. Not one part of the A12 involved. Works out about 110mi I think.

Its one of my favourite rides.

The Dunwich Dynamo route will get you a lot of the way. You have to go to the north-west of the direct route; south-east is towards the rivers (Blackwater, Colne) and won't work.

Check this route http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2096474.

Then from Sible Hedingham you want to go east via Bures, Nayland, Stratford St Mary and Manningtree.

I used to ride out there a lot; if you select your route carefully you can be on quiet-ish roads and will pass some really good pubs.