Seven Piers Challenge
A unique team-building cycle challenge
Memorable team-building cycle challenge
Get your team together and head to the East Coast of England for a group cycling challenge like no other.
The Seven Piers East Coast Challenge has everything you need for team building and a fun weekend challenge. We believe the numbers speak for themselves!
- Seven Piers
- Six Rivers
- Three Counties
- Two Boat Journeys
- One Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty


Meticulously planned, scenic and picturesque
Our Seven Piers East Coast Challenge can be adapted to fit the needs of your group. The challenge can be run over one or two days, from 80 miles to 100+ miles, taking in more sites along the East Coast.
The challenge follows predominantly quiet and flat country and coastal roads, with ample places for rest stops, scenic views and picturesque landmarks.
The team at OnVenture is on hand to ensure your challenge runs smoothly and you get the most out of sending time with your team.
What’s included
- Full medical and mechanical support throughout your ride
- River ferries from Bawdsey to Felixstowe and Felixstowe to Harwich
- Navigation supported with our Onventure bike GPS systems and GPX
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
- Training advice from British Cycling ride leaders and competitive cyclists
- A selection of memento photos at each pier and throughout your challenge
- Finisher medal/memento
Challenge stats and options
- Days/time: Challenge can be run over one or two days.
- Pace: Pace will be pre-agreed by the group and OnVenture.
- Distance: Choose from two distance options of 86 miles or 105 miles
- Terrain: Predominantly flat and quiet roads
- Recommended equipment: Road bike in good working order, helmet, water bottle(s), rear light and spares bag.
Meet the seven piers
Tour Highlights

Discover the East Coast
Discover the sandy beaches, coastal towns and piers of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

River Crossings
Two memorable river crossing across the River Deben and Harwich Harbour.

Famous Landmarks
Discover famous landmarks, medieval towns, villages, Abbeys and Castles.

Stunning Landscapes
Cycle across the rolling Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex Countryside with stunning scenery.
Seven Piers Challenge Itinerary
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.
Stage 1: Great Yarmouth, Nofolk to Snape Matings, Suffolk.
The group starts the cycle challenge in the resort town of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, where we set off from the Britania Pier, cycling past the seaside amusements and pleasure beach.
We head south, past many holiday parks and resorts, crossing the border to Lowestoft, the northernmost part of The Suffolk Coast. Our second stop is Claremont Pier, where we enjoy beautiful views out to sea from the most easterly town UK.
From Lowestoft, we have a longer stint in the saddle as we head inland through picture postcard countryside and quant Suffolk Villages before heading back towards the coast.
Our next stop is the famous seaside town of Southwold, home to the Adnams Brewery and George Orwell, who penned many of his famous books during his 20 years on the Suffolk Coast.
We stop at the quirky Southwold Pier with amazing machines from eccentric inventor Tim Hunkin. We enjoy stunning views of the beach, the lighthouse and beach huts from the pier.
We depart Southwold and cross the River Blyth passing through the busy fishing village of Walberswick. We follow the coast and cycle through Dunwich Forest and Wrestleton Nature Reserve as we transverse the rolling Suffolk Countryside.
We stop for a photo opportunity at the 14th-century Leiston Abbey before heading back to the coast past the House in the Clouds, one of the UK’s most famous homes.
We reach the coast at the picturesque village of Thorpeness and follow the coastal road to the charming and fashionable seaside town of Aldeburgh, with its pebble beach, and Moot Hall, believed to be one of the best-preserved Tudor public buildings in Britain.
From Aldeburgh, we follow the River Alde inland to Snape Maltings, surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this beautiful heritage site, with its converted Victorian buildings, is the perfect stop for lunch, take in the scenery and refuel.
Stage 2: Snape Maltings to River Deben boat crossing
Following lunch, we start one of the ride’s most scenic sections, passing through quiet roads lined with endless countryside, arable and pastoral farmland, forests and unspoilt villages and parishes.
We make our way to Bawdsey Beach on the banks of the River Deben. We make our first crossing on board a small boat run by a local legend who has been taking passengers across the river for decades. The short journey takes us to the small coastal village of Old Felixstowe, with fishing boats and sailing clubs.
Getting back our bikes, we avoid golf balls as we cycle through the Felixstowe Golf Club towards the main resort town and our fourth pier on the promenade. Felixstowe is a bustling seaside town with arcades, cafes and restaurants. On a summer’s day, there is sure to be a buzz in the air with holidaymakers and day visitors enjoying a day at the beach.
Stage 3: Old Felixstowe to Harwich Harbour boat crossing
From the fun of the pier, we head toward the Port of Felixstowe, the busiest container port in the UK, to catch our second crossing aboard the Harwich Harbour Ferry. We cross the Harwich Harbour across the mouth of the River Orwell and Stour and watch the towering container ships loading and unloading at the Port.
Stage 4: Welcome to Essex - Hawich to Clacton-on-Sea
Upon arrival in Harwich and Essex, our third county, we immediately step foot on the Victorian wooden Ha’penny Pier, the fifth and smallest pier of our journey.
We head out of town and into the rolling Essex Countryside on our way to the seaside resort of Walton-on-the-Naze. We enjoy a stop at the second-longest pier in England, bustling with amusements and fairground rides.
We now start the final leg of the journey, cycling out of Walton-on-the-Naze on a short cruise through our last section of the countryside before picking up the coastal road in Holland-on-Sea. We head down Kings Parade and enjoy stunning views of the North Sea, the Gunfleet Sands Offshore Wind Farm, and in the distance, we spot the roller coaster and helta skelta on the pier.
We arrive in a lively Clacton-on-Sea, the largest town on the Essex Sunshine Coast, and finish at the entrance to our final pier. The perfect stop to celebrate an incredible journey. Some of the group may wish to run down the sandy beach, jump in the sea, grab an ice cream, or visit the arcades.
Our epic journey is over, we have been through a lot together and no doubt forged lasting memories and experiences.

Get your teams back together
Getting away from regular work allows teams to bond over shared experiences and gives everyone a chance to relax their minds while enjoying nature at its best: beautiful sights and soothing sounds.
It’s a great way to get to know your team better (physical activity and endorphins make people more outgoing) or even just spend time in the company of others who are important to you.
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