Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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Shimshalabim
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Joined: 8 Apr 2015, 8:10pm

Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by Shimshalabim »

Hello,
I'm attempting to cycle with my partner from the border of Suffolk near Bungay (not too far from Norwich) to Paris. Has anyone cycled any part of this, or has a route for any section.

Rebecca
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gaz
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Joined: 9 Mar 2007, 12:09pm
Location: Kent

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by gaz »

Welcome to the forum.

Some recent threads which may be of help: London to Paris. London to Dover. Haverhill to Dover.
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1gunsalute
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Joined: 23 Aug 2012, 5:38pm

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by 1gunsalute »

From Suffolk, I would get the Harwich ferry to Holland and down from there. Should be more pleasant than Essex/Kent.
kolb
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Joined: 8 Sep 2014, 8:22pm

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by kolb »

If you intend crossing the channel from Kent or from one of the south coast ports such as Newhaven, it's worth considering crossing the Thames at Tilbury via the passenger ferry to Gravesend. Unless you particulalrly wanted to visit London as part of your trip.
ANTONISH
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Joined: 26 Mar 2009, 9:49am

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by ANTONISH »

You could get the ferry from Harwich to the hook then head south - I think the Breskins ferry into Belgium is still running for cyclists and foot passengers.
Personally I would take the Gravesend ferry route - and cycle to Dover. There are some relatively quiet routes North of the A2 - although you would have to navigate the Medway towns.
The Dover ferry crossing is much shorter than from Harwich - and probably cheaper. OTOH a cabin on a night crossing from Harwich would leave you in a good position for the start of a tour - and you have some good cycle paths to start with.
Have a nice trip.
nez
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Joined: 19 Jun 2008, 12:11am

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by nez »

It could be a lot of ferries. Felixstowe over theDeben, Orwell to Harwich, Harwich to hook... Could be fun!
Shimshalabim
Posts: 2
Joined: 8 Apr 2015, 8:10pm

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by Shimshalabim »

Thank you, we're hoping to cycle it in less that 48 hours for charity, I looked at the Harwich crossing but its expensive. Ideally would like to cycle to the bottom of the uk and then across france. Someones suggested cycling to Newhaven and then from Dieppe though
nez
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Joined: 19 Jun 2008, 12:11am

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by nez »

Yes that's a good plan. There's a voie verte from dieppe. If you google voie verte dieppe you will get to a specialised website on it.
Barrenfluffit
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Joined: 20 Oct 2009, 5:31pm

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by Barrenfluffit »

Also the newhaven ferry is just about long enough to catch some rest and still be making ground. So it roughly goes ride down from london during the day, catch the evening ferry and set off again in the morning (probably with lights) to paris (129m).

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LondonBikeCommuter
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Joined: 21 Apr 2013, 4:10pm
Location: Swindon

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by LondonBikeCommuter »

Barrenfluffit wrote:Also the newhaven ferry is just about long enough to catch some rest and still be making ground. So it roughly goes ride down from london during the day, catch the evening ferry and set off again in the morning (probably with lights) to paris (129m).


I'm not saying don't do this route but having done it I definately wouldn't choose to do it again. Firstly the ferry was £30 in each direction and it leaves at a very unsociable 11pm meaning either a long wait in Newhaven which is a bit of a dump (sorry if you live there) or approaching at night along fast twisty country type roads. By the time you factor getting up to the ferry lounge getting settled in and the fact that your woken 45 minutes before docking with a VERY loud fog horn ( In my drowsy state I thought we were sinking!) getting any sort of worth while sleep is futile. Also you disembark at 4am which again means cycling in the dark feeling sleepy i.e. crap and seeing nothing or sleeping outside the closed Dieppe ferry terminal till light and getting moved on by a bemused cleaner. Only benefit was fresh coffee and a delicious croissant in a Dieppe town.
Anyway thats my tuppence worth!
ANTONISH
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Joined: 26 Mar 2009, 9:49am

Re: Cycling from Suffolk to Paris

Post by ANTONISH »

Calais to Paris is going to be about 180 miles - depending on the route. Which is a good deal more than Dieppe to Paris.
OTOH Dover - Calais is a shorter crossing with a much more frequent service.
Have you actually worked out how many miles you can manage in the time you have to ride ?
Taking the ferry you have to factor in time taken to get through controls and onto the ferry. Then the crossing time and disembarkation - getting out of the port etc.
Crossing time to Calais from Dover is advertised as 1.5hrs - but I use this crossing frequently and IMO three hours from coming into Dover Port and leaving Calais port would be reasonable provided there were no other delays.
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