Country lanes in the east

“Over the last year, I was juggling my work as an architect with my speed record preparation, so this ride represents something of a treat. It’s a great route to do with friends because it passes lots of places that sell decent coffee, cake and sausage sandwiches. But the scenery is stunning, too.

“I’m from the Wirral and, before I moved to Essex, I thought it was flat, boring and full of orange people with fake tans. Well, I was wrong about the roads, at least. Essex has a genuine abundance of quiet rolling lanes, which link quaint hamlets and villages dating back thousands of years. It’s a great place to ride.

“This route does take in some singletrack, but you can do it on a road bike. As it is, my road bike is more like a gravel bike with disc brakes and 35mm tubeless Schwalbes. It’s a surprisingly lumpy loop, with the bigger lumps coming along the Stour Valley towards the start and finish of the loop on the Essex and Suffolk border.

“I particularly love the section between Nayland and Alphamstone, which undulates alongside the River Stour. It’s a tough little road, but evokes elements from North Wales, Scotland and New Zealand. One section in particular could easily double for Hobbiton.

“When it comes to refuelling, I’d advise stopping at the Blue Egg Cafe near Braintree – it’s a cycling-friendly place frequented by pro riders, such as Alex Dowsett and some bloke called Wiggo.

“The route throws up plenty of comical names, too: Rotten End and Crooked Bottom bring about some infantile guffawing. Polstead Hill is the final insult because you’re knackered and it’s so close to the finish, but your legs are on fire. But there’s a good pub at the top that serves a steak and ale pie to die for.”

LOCATION:

Suffolk and Essex

DETAILS:

93km, 679m of climbing

TYPE:

Road/gravel

RECOMMENDED BY:

Neil Campbell – the men’s cycling speed world record holder who in August 2019 rode behind a Porsche Cayenne at 174mph

ROUTE:

komoot.com/ tour/171516677