Chelmsford to Canvey Island

[compo]

Although I can read a map there is nothing to beat personal experience so can any one recommend a decent cycle friendly route to Canvey from Chelmsford that wont involve stopping every five minutes to check the route.

 

[Dayvo]

Just memorise the route and Bob's your uncle.

https://www.google.no/maps/dir/Chel...m2!1d0.578411!2d51.517083!3e1!6m3!1i0!2i0!3i0

 

[Specialeyes]

Through Baddow to the A12/A130, cross the A12 (there's cycle paths around the junction) and follow the old A130 from Howe Green to Battlesbridge, then Rayleigh. (Or if you have time, turn off at Howe Green and go via East Hanningfield - lovely road!)

I'd take riding up the hill into and through Rayleigh / Thundersley / Hadeigh over the A1245 / A127 junction and A130 to Sadlers Farm any day of the week.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/C...be8b41aba8fd3e!2m2!1d0.578411!2d51.517083!3e1

 

[compo]

Thanks people, they both look useable routes. I come into Chelmsford via Writtle from Harlow so will work out the bits of route inbetween.

 

[Brains]

Canvy Island !
Why ?

 

[compo]

Canvy Island !
Why ?

A serious answer to a not so serious question, I want to check out several potential sea fishing spots and a bike is easier than a car to get around, plus making a day's ride out.

 

[jiberjaber]

I've been riding the first bit of your route for a couple of months now refining a few riding loops based around where I live in Chelmsford.

Whilst there are cycle paths around the Howe Green/A12 dog bone roundabouts, getting there isn't the most safest (there is a path but it is quite ruined) There is a bike path through Howe Green, quite overgrown at the start but gets better. Then its NSL country road with a few lorries and tractors...

If you are coming from Writtle I would recommend coming through Central Park along the bike route. I wouldn't ride Baddow Road but come up through the estate via Odeon Roundabout, plus the underpass/subway at Army & Navy has been closed for a few weeks now due to the works on going there.

Once to Great Baddow, the options would be, come out via Sandon and join Howe Green and head in to Hanningfield or come through Baddow and down towards the Res.

I'd also give the old Southend Road a miss for a good part of it - I find it quite boring and the quality of driving along there lacking..

Hope the link below works!

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.7358092,0.4289662/51.7194581,0.4855782/Battlesbridge, Essex, UK/Rayleigh, Essex, UK/Canvey Island, Essex, UK/@51.6620532,0.5419461,13z/data=!4m42!4m41!1m0!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d0.495318!2d51.7169258!3s0x47d8e9990f2f0e43:0x978db5e4de6f50be!3m4!1m2!1d0.5056505!2d51.7135027!3s0x47d8e9bb539e034d:0x788d72a7596391a!3m4!1m2!1d0.4937484!2d51.6886236!3s0x47d8e9e71da85d77:0x9db9857f7f0dc507!3m4!1m2!1d0.5171376!2d51.6520498!3s0x47d8c259c109d339:0x8ed97c7d8512aad2!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d8dcd168c718f7:0x9cb382c76a1c0e9f!2m2!1d0.570345!2d51.622893!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d8c4ad6b15810b:0xe4b0f3f2fa97cb0a!2m2!1d0.604871!2d51.586385!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d8c534d98f24d5:0xa7be8b41aba8fd3e!2m2!1d0.578411!2d51.517083!3e1

 

[Diggs]

Yep , I would reiterate @jiberjaber 's comments above. Whilst you'd be more than welcome to refill your bidons chez Diggs I wouldn't take the Billericay route from Chelmsford for reasons outlined. The only reason to come via Billericay* is if you cut down earlier and come across through Ingatestone way (again, lots of nice quiet lanes).


*There are, obviously, other reasons to come to Billericay but for the purposes of this discussion etc.etc....

 

[compo]

Thanks @jiberjaber. I wasn't too sure about the old Southend Road route having done it on the bus a few times and the road didn't look too bike friendly in places, so your route looks good. I will print it off and give it a go.

@Diggs Last time I went to Billericay those awfully nice Orchid people sent me off again up every hill they could find around Essex on their charity sportive! That was my one and only forey into the world of sportives, discounting the Dunwich Dynamo.