A14 Orwell Bridge

[robjh]

Cycling it :
- Can you?
- Should you?

 

[PeteXXX]

Well, there is a Samaritans telephone on the left before you do attempt it... (Honest, there is!)
-Can you? .. Yes..
-Should you? See above

 

[robjh]

Streetview shows a footway behind a crash barrier, that looks cyclable if a bit narrow - and I doubt you meet many peds up there. The approach roads look quite hairy though.

It's just an idea I had for an alternative to going through Ipswich, and with good views to boot but I'd prefer not to get squashed by lorries in doing so.

 

[PeteXXX]

Having driven a truck over the bridge many times, and seen the state of the footpath (strewn with debris, nuts and bolts, bits that have fallen off vehicles, etc) I wouldn't bother!
The choice is yours though..

But the view from the top is lovely.

 

[SimonJKH]

I wouldn't risk it, and I'll cycle most places. Based on how often it is closed by accidents motorists seem incapable of not hitting each other. And most days it is windy enough up there you are going to struggle to keep a straight line!

 

[Yazzoo]

No, not smart! Yes I'm sure it's possible but the wind and state of the road/path would put me off. I've followed lorries across many a time (in a car!) and seen them suddenly blown a few feet to the side with a gust, right into where you'd be!

 

[mjr]

Yes, as @SimonJKH hints at, it's bad enough motoring over that bridge. At least cycling, you have the options of using the Harwich and Felixstowe ferries if you really want to avoid Ipswich to the south, or using the local trains through it, or avoiding the busiest of the town centre by riding along the north bank of the river (NCR51 follows the wider part of that, then wanders off into the centre) or riding in on Hadleigh Road (cycle track subway from Sproughton), hugging the train line through the park and riding across the station front to get to Stoke Bridge.

 

[mattobrien]

I'd suggest going North of Ipswich if you are thinking of tracking the A14 as a way of not going though it. Not sure exactly which way you'll be coming from, but looking at the map the A14 loops under Ipswich, so a route over may be preferable and possibly a touch shorter.

Good luck

 

[Lemond]

I wouldn't even walk across it. Far too windy.

 

[robjh]

I'd suggest going North of Ipswich if you are thinking of tracking the A14 as a way of not going though it. Not sure exactly which way you'll be coming from, but looking at the map the A14 loops under Ipswich, so a route over may be preferable and possibly a touch shorter.

Good luck

I've got nothing against Ipswich, it was just an idea for an interesting alternative, but the responses on here have rather confirmed what I suspected, so when I next go that way, central Ipswich it'll be.

 

[Lemond]

Where are you starting from and heading to? I rode from Needham Market to Felixstowe last summer, and apart from one short but steep hill in the middle of Ipswich, the ride was really enjoyable and very quiet (apart from Ipswich; but even on a Saturday morning - and ten minutes where I managed to get lost - it was still fun). Nothing nicer than an ice cream down by the sea!

 

[robjh]

Where are you starting from and heading to? I rode from Needham Market to Felixstowe last summer, and apart from one short but steep hill in the middle of Ipswich, the ride was really enjoyable and very quiet (apart from Ipswich; but even on a Saturday morning - and ten minutes where I managed to get lost - it was still fun). Nothing nicer than an ice cream down by the sea!

I was looking at routes from the Cambridge area to Felixstowe but nothing definite planned - it just seems a shame to waste these strong westerly winds (I could then get the train back)

 

[Lemond]

I was looking at routes from the Cambridge area to Felixstowe but nothing definite planned - it just seems a shame to waste these strong westerly winds (I could then get the train back)

That's 70 odd miles, so quite a ride. I'd probably follow Route 51 which takes you via Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds and then sweeps down through the north of Ipswich.

 

[Justinslow]

I rode east through Dedham through manningtree onto Harwich (all back roads) then across to Walton on the naze down the sea wall to Clacton then back through Arlesford through Colchester and home, from the Sudbury area, around 100 miles, nice ride.

 

[Firestorm]

I dont like taking my motorbike over it, I am not too good with heights and there always seems to be side winds, but I can just about bear it if I can whip over it. I doubt I would be able to actually manage it on a bike...