Start Point: Wivenhoe Station (Greater Anglia)
Alternative Start: Clacton-on-Sea Station (Greater Anglia)
Finish Point: Clacton-on-Sea Station (Greater Anglia)
Meetup Time: 09:50
Start Time: 10:00 (or 11:30 approx. from Clacton-on-Sea)
Route Day 1: Wivenhoe to Harwich
Route Day 2: Harwich to Clacton-on-Sea
No. Days: 2
Day 1: 60 km (38km if starting from Clacton-on-Sea)
Day 2: 48 km
Overnight: Individuals book their own accommodation in Felixstowe such as the Premier Inn. Alternatively, individuals could stay overnight in Harwich or, subject to trains, travel home and back again.
High level sense check:
Day 1 starts at 10:00 and you need to arrive by 16:00 to catch the 14:10 Harbour ferry to Felixstowe. This means an overall average speed of 10km/h with breaks included. Keep rolling.
Day 2 starts at 10:45 with a plan to arrive at Clacton-on-Sea by 15:45 to get a snack and catch the 17:22 train back to London. This means an overall average speed of 10km/h with breaks included. Then you have time to revisit Clacton-on-Sea.
Hotels
Felixstowe Premier Inn, in 2026 a room on a Sunday night was £43 though prices vary.
Average Speed: 10mph
Stops: Every 15 miles approximately. As this is designed to be a comfortable tour extra stops are possible and even encouraged though part of the schedule means getting the 16:10 foot ferry across to Felixstowe which is the last ferry of the day.
The Day 1 Stages:
Stage 1, Wivenhoe Station to Clacton-on-Sea (22km) where a café stop is suggested along the sea front and where you pickup people starting at Clacton-on-Sea.
Stage 2, Clacton-on-Sea to Little Oakley (28km) where there is a pub (Ye Olde Cherry Tree) for a brief stop. You could eat here if taking the Harwich to Hook of Holland crossing.
Stage 3, Little Oakley to Harwich (10km) takes you 5km to the Mayflower Pub near the Stena Line ferry terminal and optionally has a detour to the ferry terminal entrance. It then does the extra 5km to the Harbour ferry in Harwich Town where we take the 16:10 crossing to Felixstowe. It is suggested that individuals book the crossing in advance unless yoyr ride leader has done that. The 16:10 crossing is the last one of the day. As the first train out of London isn't until 08:30 timing is tight to try for the 15:10 crossing.
Stage 4, Felixstowe Harbour to the hotel.
The Day 2 Stages:
Stage 5, the hotel to Felixstowe Harbour.
Stage 6, Harwich Harbour to Manningtree (24km) where individuals could take the train home. If using this as a route to return from a Netherlands trip it is a good breakfast stop.
Stage 7, Manningtree to Clacton-on-Sea (24km).
Suggested Café Stops:
See Stages above though the plan is to do café stops on an ad hoc basis.
Shorten the outward route using the train:
Start at Clacton-on-Sea.
Shorten the return route using the train:
Return from Manningtree.
Suitable Bikes:
Any, though bare in mind the distance and pace. A heavy eBike might not be suitable for the foot ferry so check, and eBikes aren't permitted on London Underground or London Overground trains.
Surface:
Tarmac, though there may be gravel, rough surfaces and potholes on lanes.
Mechanic:
None
Support Vehicle:
None
Broom Wagon:
None
No Drop Ride:
Yes, no-one gets left behind, though note the rider requirements.
Rider Requirements:
Be responsible for your own safety
Follow the highway code
Arrive with a well maintained bike
Carry equipment to repair a puncture or two
Dress/pack for the forecast conditions
Be comfortable maintaining 10mph for about 15 miles of continuous cycling on the flat
Be self-sufficient with regards hydration and fuelling; ask for a stop if you require one
Organiser Tips:
Premier Inn and some other chain hotels typically do lower Sunday and Monday night rates, higher Saturday rates. Check café opening times for your chosen dates. Premier Inn allow bikes in rooms.
This Kit List provides suggestions though consider the weather and the nature of the ride.
Rider Tips:
Pack light. Packing should be the same as for a day ride plus any overnight essentials. Seriously, pack light. If you have any questions ask the organiser.
In contrast to shorter rides the person navigating may not be familiar with the whole route, there may be roadworks and diversions so be aware and look after your own safety.
Premier Inn allow clean bicycles in rooms though some don't have lifts so phone ahead and request a ground floor room if this might be an issue for you. Keeping your bike in your room means you don't necessarily need your heavy Gold Secure bike lock.
With only about 250m of ascent each day this isn't a hilly tour.
The Harwich to Felixstowe foot ferry is £8.10 one-way with a bicycle. The booking site allows up to 12 bicycles in the booking drop down list. Your ride leader may do a block booking so check with them before booking.
Day 1 (Sunday):
07:14 Leave Northwick Park
07:52 Arrive Liverpool Street station
08:30 Take the Wivenhoe train
09:47 Arrive Wivenhoe Station
10:00 Leave Wivenhoe
11:30 Arrive Clacton-on-Sea for coffee
12:30 Leave Clacton-on-Sea
14:00 Time for a 20-minute break
15:30 Arrive Harwich Foot Ferry
16:10 Take the last ferry to Felixstowe; pre-book this with bicycles
Day 2 (Monday):
10:30 Take the first ferry to Harwich
10:45 Leave Harwich
12:45 Arrive Manningtree for lunch
13:45 Leave Manningtree
15:45 Arrive Clacton-on-Sea for ice-cream
17:22 Train to London
18:30 Arrive London
From 19:00 Metropolitan Line home
Option to alight at Stratford for London Overground
Route Guidance:
Use the cycle paths that take you round the busy roundabouts near the ferry terminal.
