2 BRAINTREE TO BURY ST EDMUNDS
DISTANCE 44 miles ROADS A120, A1124, A1107, A131, A1092, B1066 NOMINATED BY Graham Bell FEATURED IN March 2020
A WONDERFUL RIDE, this route takes in the best that Essex and Suffolk have to offer, with flowing roads and deserted lanes.
We actually meet up near Billericay before the nominal Braintree start point, skirting round the very pretty Norsey Woods and the lovely Hanningfield reservoir.
From Sandon, we run parallel to the bustling A12 for a short distance before sweeping sharply to run through open farmland, working our way across country, over the river Chelmer on a single-lane bridge. Graham offers a useful warning; “You have to be a bit careful round here — the roads flood sometimes and you get people looking at the scenery and just walking out in front of you as you cross the bridge.”
We up the pace a bit towards Halstead, although on these tight, twisty roads, often with high hedges, there’s no going mad. Halstead’s a nice little town, with some lovely old buildings and a great baker and tea shop (Weston’s) near the bottom of the hill, where we score some excellent butties.
Thus fortified, it’s off down the fast and flowing A1124 towards the Hedinghams.
Castle Hedingham is beautiful — all timbered and plastered medieval houses from back when Suffolk was stuffed with rich wool merchants. Then it’s back on the road again. “This is probably my favourite part,” says Graham. “The nature of the ride just changes so much, from a little humpback bridge to some tighter sections, and then it really opens up. It’s great fun and I’m spoilt for choice.”
‘It’s great fun — I’m spoilt for choice’ GRAHAM BELL