Soggy Socks
3 days | 2 nights
£395pp

The urge to take a paddle will overcome you at some point!

Our Soggy Socks tour is truly special, taking in the stunning inland countryside, winding rivers, scenic peninsula views and landscapes, and Suffolk’s majestic coastline.

As you travel across predominately quiet roads alongside the waterways and coasts, you will swap two wheels for a propeller as you enjoy two short but memorable river crossings.

Country Map

What’s included

  • 4* hotel with breakfast
  • Welcome dinner Friday night
  • Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
  • All cycling refreshments
  • Fully guided and support vehicle
  • Lunch, snacks and drinks during your ride, including ‘on-road’ top-ups 
  • Selection of memento photos

OnVenture difference

  • Tailored routes, meticulously planned by qualified & experienced cyclists to provide exciting riding with memorable scenery & landmarks along the way 
  • Support vehicle on hand throughout your ride – Mechanical & medical support to keep you safely in the saddle 

  • GPX file of your tour routes 
  • Support and training advice from British Cycling approved and experienced ride leaders & competitive cyclists  

Choose your tour type

Tour Types Challenger

The Challenger 

Tour stats over two days
Difficulty: Challenging with less stops
Average pace: 16-18mph
Elevation gain: 1,600m

Estimated moving time: 10hrs 
Distance: 142 miles 
Tour Types Cruiser

The Cruiser 

Tour stats over two days
Difficulty: Relaxed and more stops
Average pace: 12-14mph
Elevation gain: 1,300m
Estimated moving time: 8.5hrs
Distance: 126 miles
 

Tour Highlights

Soggy Socks Suffolk Coast

Rivers and coasts of Suffolk 

Discover the The Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Soggy Socks River Orwell

Shotley Peninsula

Shotley Peninsula is a stunning landscape between the River Orwell and the River Stour.

Soggy Socks Boat Crossings

Ferry Crossing

Enjoy a boat crossing over the River Stour and River Orwell and take in the Port of Felixstowe.

 Adventures Designed for Groups

Designed for Groups

Ideal tour, especially designed for groups looking for an unique weekend adventure. 

Tour Itinerary

The below itinerary is based on the Challenger version of our tour, taking in more sites and sounds of Suffolk.
Our carefully planned tours are run on public roads, so we might need to make changes or arrange detours to avoid an escaped flock of sheep!
The OnVenture team is always happy to accommodate requests to visit specific locations and landmarks along the specified route – just let us know.

Friday

Check-in at the hotel from 15:00 and meet your OnVenture hosts before enjoying the rest of the afternoon to explore.

Re-group at 19.30 for a welcome meeting, ride briefing and group dinner, ready for two days of fun and challenging riding.  

Saturday

Breakfast (cooked or continental) will be served at 7:30am and we will be setting off on our ride at 8:15am. After leaving our accommodation, we head south-east out of Ipswich weaving our way through the residential roads of our county town to reach the perfect cycling roads with a landscape of agricultural land to take in…you will soon realise why Ipswich Town have the nickname ‘The Tractor Boys’.  

After getting the legs warm over the first 12 or so miles, the North Sea welcomes us as we roll onto Felixstowe seafront and follow the shore line right along to the ferry peninsula, keep your eyes out for stray golf balls as we pass through the golf club & pass a couple of distinct Martello towers, until we arrive at the mouth of the river Deben 

Coming back inland for a few miles on rolling, dusty country lanes, we pass through lovely villages & hamlets, before arriving at the lovely riverside town of Woodbridge, with one of only a handful of working tide mills in the world and our gateway to the Suffolk Coasts & Heath Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The Suffolk Coach & Heath AONB is the closest thing you will get to a playground for road cyclists, with ultra-straight drags for a bit of pace, weaving country lanes to test your handling and tree lined roads for a little shade from the beaming Suffolk sun. We hit some real highlights along the road, visiting Bawdsey to see the Felixstowe peninsula from a different angle across the Deben, traverse Rendlesham Forest, taken in the stunning Orford Castle & Quay and finally enjoy a blast through Tunstall Forest 

Our final 20 or so miles, are homeward bound, South-West back towards Ipswich on slightly more undulating but no less picturesque than the previous 65 miles of the day and we finally cruise back into Ipswich from the north to enjoy a well-earned cold drink & savour the days riding.  

Sunday

Breakfast (cooked or continental) will be served at 7:30am and we will be setting off on our ride at 8:30am. Heading out of Ipswich, we follow the southern shores of the river Orwell with one of the highlights of the day coming very early on, as we cycle right beside the shoreline beneath the towering Orwell Bridge. After a sharp climb away from the shoreline of the river, we enjoy a long, steady descent over the proceeding 7 miles to the breathtaking Shotley peninsula, with the river Stour to our south, river Orwell to our north and the North Sea to our west…as well as the small matter of Britains biggest container port directly opposite us.  

Heading back inland, we run parallel to the northern edge of the river Stour on lumpy but rewarding roads, as we get regular vista’s across the river into the Essex countryside beyond. After crossing the river Stour and the border into Essex at the lovely town of Manningtree, we explore the fabulous north Essex countryside for around 12 miles before dropping down into the port town of Harwich 

We exchange two wheels for a ships wheel in Harwich, as we embark on the passenger ferry to take us across the river Stour & Orwell, as the helmsman guides us across the waters, you will get a truly unique look at Felixstowe and some of the biggest container ships in the world. After disembarking at Landguard point in Felixstowe, we will pass the almost 500-year-old fort, which has evolved over the centuries to continually protect the nationally important waterways it stands over.  

On our homeward leg from Felixstowe we revisit some roads enjoyed on day 1 of your tour, before heading inland and passing through some lovely villages before we see the distinctive BT tower looming over Martlesham and arrive at ‘heartbreak hill’ and one final test that will really test your metal!. After getting your breathe back we can roll gently back towards Ipswich, savour a great couple of days riding and take away some lasting memories.  

Country Holiday Inn

Your Accommodation

2 nights | Bed and breakfast 

You will be staying at our carefully selected 4* hotel in Ipswich, with an onsite restaurant to enjoy a hearty breakfast to set you up for the days riding, as well as a lounge bar to unwind & relax in the evening and enjoy a celebratory drink. Why not explore Ipswich with its cosmopolitan town centre, picturesque Christchurch park & mansion house and vibrant, lively waterfront with an array of bars, cafes and restaurants to enjoy a lovely meal on Saturday evening.

Check dates and availability 

The team at OnVenture is ready to discuss dates and availability for your group booking.

Please feel free to email or complete the below enquiry form, and a member of the team will be in touch.

Email: hello@onventure.co.uk

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