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COLLECTOUR

Visited places:
FELIXSTOWE – IPSWICH – MANNINGTREE – COLCHESTER – MALDON – LONDON – WINDSOR – READING – NEWBURY – TROWBRIDGE – BRISTOL

Distance: 400km [ 248.5ml ]

From the UK’s largest container port located on the east coast of England, nestled along the shores of the North Sea, begins a five-day odyssey. My journey commences in Felixstowe, with Bristol as the ultimate destination, traversing the nocturnal expanse of London on the second day.
Embarking on this adventure amidst early spring in England, I found myself blessed with five days of respite from my daily routine. Determined not to squander this opportunity, I seized the moment to embark on a long-awaited journey that had lingered in the depths of my mind for quite some time. Originally conceived as a coast-to-coast expedition, spanning from the eastern to western shores of England, time constraints dictated a modification. Hence, I decided to split the journey into two parts, commencing with the Felixstowe to Bristol leg. Although early spring may not have been the optimal season for such an undertaking, impending summer plans left me with no other choice.

However, this expedition was not solely about traversing the picturesque countryside; it was a test of physical and mental resilience. Venturing into the realm of long-distance bike touring for the first time, I embraced the challenge eagerly. With previous biking experiences limited to mere days, the prospect of extended cycling sessions under the early spring sun posed a novel challenge. Furthermore, a significant milestone awaited: the nocturnal crossing of London. Pedaling through the metropolis for over 20 hours in a single day was both daunting and exhilarating. My motivation stemmed from two key objectives: evading city traffic congestion and capturing the captivating nocturnal vistas of London on film. Despite the limitations of my camera in low-light conditions, the journey served as an invaluable learning experience, honing my skills in cinematography.

As the wheels turned and the miles unfolded, I gleaned invaluable lessons from the road. Now, I invite you to join me on this cinematic voyage and share in the discoveries that await.

All trip details, including a full itinerary, maps, camping and more can be found on:

FELIXSTOWE2BRISTOL

Gear list:

00:00 – Day 1. Getting ready.
00:29 – Felixstowe to Ipswich by the coast of River Orwell.
02:44 – Exploring Alton Water & camp fire at the Hidden Beach. Stutton.
06:05 – Day 2. Peaceful morning by River Stour. Full breakfast in Manningtree.
07:57 – No stops in Colchester and rushing to Maldon.
09:17 – Beautiful Sunset. Quick late dinner in Brentwood.
11:14 – London here we come! Day 3. Finally shower and really really long sleep in Egham.
15:27 – Day 4. Exploring Windsor Great Park and some wildlife catch.
19:42 – Ascot to Reading King’s Reach Bridge & relaxing Sunset by Ufton Green.
22:57 – Quietest pub in my life. Night ride by the channels via Newbury to Hungerford.
27:03 – Day 5. Last challenges and surprises. Last chocolate bar to. Bristol I’m here!