There are few better ways to experience the true beauty and diversity of the Suffolk coast than by bike.

There are few more pleasant counties within which to cycle than Suffolk; the Suffolk coast in particular fitting the bill for even the occasional cyclist. Relatively low lying, the coast has very few challenging hills, plenty of well-marked routes (many off road), and some of the finest and most diverse scenery in the country. That cycling is a great form of exercise and creates almost no environmental damage are simply two very attractive layers of icing on an already very palatable cake!

To avoid turning a pleasure into a chore it is worth deciding whether you prefer to hire bikes or bring your own. Wherever you are on the Suffolk coast there is a cycle hire shop not too far away.

Taking your bicycle to Suffolk?

Well, yes the obvious answer may well be to put a bike rack on the back of the car, but if you want to make your holiday into something really special how about visiting the Suffolk coast by train.

Jane and Tim did just that early in the summer:
“We wanted to do something different this year, but were very conscious that we didn’t want to spend hours negotiating motorways or airports. Tim suggested we took our bikes on the train to Suffolk and then rented a cottage, which didn’t strike me as the recipe for a relaxing and stress free holiday.In fact it turned out to be one of the best holidays we have ever had. I visited Suffolk a few years ago, but never really saw much beyond the sea front at Aldeburgh and Southwold. The country roads and byways were quiet and from a bicycle you can get fantastic views of those fabulous Suffolk skies, the delightful estuaries and the miles of magnificent heaths.
We can’t wait for our next visit.”

One Railway has bicycle facilities on many of its trains including those on the East Suffolk line; the stations have bike racks and there are lockers at Ipswich and Norwich. http://www.onerailway.com/services/community/cycleinformation.asp. One Railway even offers a bicycle rescue service for cyclists in Suffolk. There are now direct train services to Lowestoft – The East Suffolk Line – well worth a trip simply for the scenery.

Once in Suffolk you can either take a holiday cottage www.suffolkcottageholidays.com or if you are keen to keep on the move make use of the excellent Bed and Breakfast accommodation on offer.

The Suffolk coast has some excellent cycle routes including The Suffolk Coastal Cycle Route – Route 42, a 75-mile circular route from Felixstowe north to Dunwich and Snape - and the Sustrans route – Route 1 which passes through Beccles and Halesworth before cutting across to the coast on it way down to Felixstowe and Harwich www.sustrans.org.uk .

There are foot and cycle ferries between Harwich, Felixstowe and Shotley www.harwichharbourferry.com/about.html and across the Deben Estuary from Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey. Whilst further north there is a footbridge (you can wheel your bike) and foot ferry over the Blyth between Walberswick and Southwold.

For many of us the above might sound a little daunting and perhaps not ideal with new or young riders and this is where Suffolk’s wonderful heathland tracks will appeal. But be assured there is an excellent network of quiet country lanes, whilst off road there are byways, bridleways and RUPPs (roads used as public path) crisscrossing the forests, heaths and fields. These sandy tracks, only occasionally used by vehicles, are ideal for a leisurely cycle. This quiet mode of transport will give you the opportunity to see the rare and fascinating flora and rare birds of the Suffolk coast as well as introducing you to some fantastic views over the countryside, estuaries and the sea. You’ll love it!