LOCAL KNOWLEDGE NORWICH AND THE BROADS

The lovely Broads are ideally explored by boat, but our routes give you the best two-wheeled waterside experience. Quiet lanes, quirky ferries, railtrails, beaches, vanishing villages, pubs and cafés, a narrow-gauge railway – and no hills. If you’re in a car, park and start/finish at Coltishall or Horning. Otherwise, base yourself in Norwich, whose Pedalways guide you around this city.

ROUTE ONE

Broads & beaches , 63 miles The coast and back Take in Norwich’s city views, then enjoy Horning’s boaty waterside and onto Norfolk’s beautiful, bracing coast and beaches. If it’s sunny, you could opt for a quick swim! Watch as Happisburgh’s roads disappear into the sea; before stopping for lunch at Mundesley. Ride back on pleasant lanes through quiet villages to the cathedral. Get the route: tinyurl.com/cplus-norwichbeaches

ROUTE TWO

Ferries and fens , 62 miles Best of the Broads by bike Ride alongside fine Whitlingham Broad, via Reedham and take the (chain) Ferry to Upton (community pub/shop/café) and Ranworth (Broad, café, tower views). Summon the Horning Ferry with a flag (see

horningfootferry.co.uk for times). Ride home via lanes and villages with glimpses of more intimate Broads. Get the route: tinyurl.com/cplus-norwichferries

ROUTE THREE

Rails and trails , 25-36 miles Flat family/leisure day out This is one for mountain bikes and hybrids. Ride the car-free Marriott’s Way railtrail to Reepham for a café stop, then more railtrail to Aylsham. Take the path alongside Bure Valley Railway’s narrow-gauge delight to Coltishall (or train it to Wroxham: bikes £3.50). Ride quiet lanes back, or take the train from Wroxham. Get the route: tinyurl.com/cplus-norwichrails