Here is a 3-day cycle tour from Hackney to Ipswich (or Norwich) staying overnight in Sudbury and Dunwich. Just add a start date and book your hotels. Specific timings assume a Monday to Wednesday tour in 2027 so your own train times may be different. If the first two days look like a Dunwich Dynamo route then that is deliberate so even though this ride to Dunwich is spread over 2 days it is still 112 miles and over 1,000m of ascent with an additional third day of nearly 50 miles to navigate. The third day is either north to Norwich on NCN 1 or southwest to Ipswich.
Days 1 & 2
Day 3 Ipswich Option
Start Point: London Fields, Hackney
Finish Point: Ipswich Station (Greater Anglia)
Meetup Time: 08:00
Start Time: 08:15
Route: Dunwich Utility Route
Route (Days 1 & 2): Dunwich Dynamo 2026
Route (Day 3): Dunwich to Ipswich
Route (Day 3): Dunwich to Norwich
No. Days: 3
Overnight: Individuals book their own accommodation in Sudbury and then in Dunwich or nearby Westleton. This won't be as simple as the local Premier Inn so plan in advance checking the bike security position with your chosen accomodation. This constraint and the return train may suggest a smaller group size.
Hotels:
Various in Sudbury and then in Dunwich or nearby Westleton.
Evening Meal Sudbury:
Sudbury has ...
Evening Meal Dunwich/Westleton:
Westleton has...
Average Speed: 9-10mph
Stops: Every 20 miles approximately. As this is designed to be a comfortable tour extra pauses are possible and even encouraged.
The Day 1 Stages (97km):
Stage 1, London Fields to Epping (23km) where a café stop at the delightful Dada Café in Epping is suggested. This early stop will allow those who missed out on breakfast to catch up on food intake.
Stage 2, Epping to Finchingfield (48km) where you could stop at Picture Pot Tearooms after quite a long middle section.
Stage 3, Finchingfield to Sudbury (26km) takes you to your accommodation.
The Day 2 Stages (64km):
Stage 4, Colchester to Hadleigh (20km). The High Street has a number of cafés
Stage 5, Hadleigh to Ipswich (20km). The Quay has
Stage 6, Ipswich to Felixstowe (24km).
The Day 3 Stages to Ipswich (75km):
Stage 7, Dunwich to Framlington (30km)
This first stage of the day gets some of the distance covered with coffee options in Framlington.
Stage 8, Framlington to Woodbridge (26km)
Woodbridge is a great place to pause. The route goes down Thoroughfare which is where the cafés are including Maeve's Suffolk, Mrs Pipers and Honey+Harvey.
Stage 9, Woodbridge to Ipswich (19km)
This stage provides for a gentle finish ready for the train home.
The Day 3 Stages to Norwich (74km):
Stage 7, Dunwich to Beccles (34km)
This first stage of the day gets some of the distance covered with coffee options in Beccles including OLD SCHOOL COFFEE on Newgate where the routes diverts to.
Stage 8, Beccles to Loddon (18km)
There is the Spooncake café and Rosy Lee's Tearoom on Bridge Street which is on the route.
Stage 9, Loddon to Norwich (22km)
Norwich is the originating station for trains back to London.
Suggested Café Stops:
See Stages above.
Shorten the route using the train:
Individuals to research as this is intended as an "all-or-nothing" ride.
Suitable Bikes:
Any hybrid or road bike. The route isn't suitable for e-bikes as it uses London Underground.
Surface:
Mostly 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 a 10mph average for about 15 miles of (mostly) 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 though this route doesn't use Premier Inn unless you want to stay the final night in Ipswich.
The Kit List for a short break provides suggestions for extra items 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 500m of ascent each day this isn't a hilly tour though it is 3 longer days.
Day 1 (Monday):
06:31 Leave Northwick Park (or equivalent)
07:12 Arrive Liverpool Street station
07:15 Have breakfast
07:45 Cycle to London Fields, Hackney
08:00 Meetup
08:15 Leave London Fields, Hackney
Day 2 (Tuesday):
09:00 Leave Sudbury
Day 3 (Wednesday)
09:00 Leave Dunwich/Westleton
16:45 Arrive Ipswich or Norwich
17:30 approx. Train to London
19:30 approx. Arrive London
From 19:00 you can take a Metropolitan Line home
Route Guidance:
The day three routes both start in Dunwich and go via Westleton so you can stay overnight in either location.