FELIXSTOVE TO BRISTOL
BIKE TOURING ACROSS UK
FELIXSTOWE - IPSWICH - MANNINGTREE - COLCHESTER - MALDON - LONDON - WINDSOR - READING - NEWBURY - TROWBRIDGE - BRISTOL
5 Days | 400km [248.5ml] |
From the largest container port in the UK, situated on the eastern coast of England, stretching along the shores of the North Sea, begins my journey: Felixstowe – Bristol.
In early spring of 2024, I managed to break free from the daily routine and started a long-awaited journey.
Initially, I had planned to traverse from the eastern to the western shores of England, but time constraints dictated a modification.
So, I decided to split the journey into two parts. While spring might not have been the warmest time, I had other plans for summer.
This journey wasn’t just about exploring picturesque landscapes; it was also a test of physical and psychological endurance for me. It was my first time embarking on a 5-day bike journey. Previous experience? Just a few days.
A significant stage awaited:
The nighttime crossing of London – over 20 hours of pedaling without much rest.
There were two main goals:
1. Avoiding traffic jams.
2. Capturing nighttime views of London despite my camera’s limited capabilities in low light.
The journey was an invaluable experience, honing my cinematography skills.
As the wheels turned, I received countless lessons along the way.
1 DAY - 15.03.2024
9:00. Felixstowe.
As the morning sun cast its rays upon the restless waves of the North Sea, heralding the beginning of my journey, I could feel the call of adventure.
Just as I began filming, it seemed like every dog and their owner wanted to join my composition.
After a few comedic situations, I managed to capture the essence of the beach. Downing my latte, I kicked off like a child on Christmas morning, pedaling away.
After a good half-hour, I reached the Trimley Marshes Nature Reserve.
If you ever seek the wonders of the wilderness, or more precisely, wish to observe birds, I recommend visiting this place.
I’d love to linger longer, but time is limited, especially on journeys like these.
Riding alongside the Orwell River, I pushed forward as if in a tractor. The path was bumpy but surprisingly dry, which isn’t typical for this area.
To the right, there was a paved road, but hey…
Who needs smooth roads when you’re riding a mountain bike? One of the advantages of such journeys is the opportunity to immerse oneself in nature. Roads are for cars or motorcycles to zip by.
Strong winds pushed sailboats forward, but not me. I faced the wind head-on.
After half an hour, I found myself at Levington Beach, a hidden gem along the riverbank.
I stopped to savor the moment and quickly grabbed a snack.
I descended into Levington Marina, winding through the narrow streets of the Nacton village into the hustle and bustle of Ipswich town.
As a local, I didn’t linger here for long. I popped into Ipswich Marina for lunch. Enjoying a Pepperoni pizza, I justified it as compensation for the morning sweat.
With a full belly, tackling the approaching hills wouldn’t be easy, but there wasn’t much choice.
13:10. Leaving the city, I encountered one of the day’s greatest highs. Behind me, the Orwell Bridge and the city formed a stunning panorama. There was temptation to film the climb, but time was of the essence. With sunset approaching, I had to rush towards Alton Water.
After an hour, I reached the expansive lake boasting over 15 kilometers of scenic shoreline. This place held a special place in my heart, a sanctuary where I often visited to run or ride bikes with the kids.
Circling the serene waters, I briefly stopped to “refuel” and ate some fruits. The looming dusk hastened my departure from Alton Water.
I headed towards the secluded beach at Stutton on the edge of the river Stour.
I knew this cozy spot from a previous journey. If luck is on my side tomorrow, I might catch the sunrise over Felixstowe port, where my journey began earlier this morning.
As I set up camp, darkness fell, and there was a chill in the air. I found enough branches for a cozy campfire. With each crackle of the flames, I reveled in the tranquility of the night and eagerly awaited tomorrow’s adventures.
2 DAY - 16.03.2024
Even though I didn’t catch the sunrise, the morning was still spectacular. I brewed some coffee and, holding my breath, watched nature waking up while listening to the quartet of shorebirds! With no wind, only the gentle murmur of water accompanied the backdrop of all those sounds. It reminded me of the receding tide, which, like a clock, whispered about today’s plans.
The arrogant laughter of one of the two fishermen who wandered nearby snapped me out of this springtime trance. I quickly geared up my steel steed with bright yellow bags and set off towards Manningtree. There, I stopped for another fragrant cup of coffee and couldn’t resist an English breakfast.
After crossing a few small hills that caressed the new suburban residential areas, I headed towards Colchester’s center. No time to explore, just a quick stop by the River Colne. I swiftly filmed a few scenes and then dove into the now bustling southern suburb. An hour later, I reached the shores of Abberton Reservoir. Suddenly, it got very chilly—6°C. I replenished my water supplies and faced the strong southwesterly wind that had come out of nowhere. Winter clearly wasn’t ready to retreat.
After a few annoying but scenic hills, I reached the River Chelmer in Maldon. I filmed a few quick scenes, packed up my tripod, and after a short break, I was at the highest point in Maldon, offering a panoramic view of the entire town. Then it was a good half-hour downhill. The clouds parted—perfect sunset, but it didn’t last long. It’s March, so night falls quickly. Climbing hills in the dark was even tougher. I couldn’t find the right pace without seeing what lay ahead. Fatigue was also creeping up on me, but I ignored it as much as possible. The moon shone brightly, lighting my way. In my eagerness to reach central London, I didn’t even notice how I pedaled all the way to Brentwood.
Saturday evening, and the locals were swarming the takeaways. I remembered I’d only had breakfast today. Even though I had a good rhythm and didn’t want to stop, I had to refuel. I chose the traditional Fish & Chips and powered towards the Metropolis. At midnight, I crossed the Thames on Southwark Bridge. The occasional rain showers weren’t welcome. Every time I prepared a shot, it started raining, and I had to find shelter. But at least it gave my film a dramatic sky. Always a silver lining.
I spent a couple of hours in the center. Then it was a long and not very scenic road towards Windsor. Interesting contrast of pedestrians early on a Sunday morning. Some were slowly making their way home from parties, while others were heading to work, armed with cardboard coffee cups. At 7:20, I was in the lobby of the Egham Travelodge. Finally, a shower and a bed…
3 DAY - 17.03.2024
Sleep Sleep Sleep
4 DAY - 18.03.2024
5 DAY - 19.03.2024
Last challenges and surprises. Last chocolate bar to. Bristol I’m here!