Well I've just been for a ride to Marks Tey (I know how to have a good time) to look at That There junction.
I decided to approach via the scenic route (i.e. north of the A12) which was a nice 16 mile ride through the villages of Langham, Boxted, Great Horkseley, Fordham and Aldham. Between Aldham and Marks Tey the road was closed (they were filling in potholes) but I was allowed to go through which saved a rather long diversion.
Anyway, I arrived at the station (very small, doesn't appear to have a loo or café or anything) which had a large bike park area facing the A12 (presumably a good assembly spot for us!) and a car park.
There is a pedestrian footbridge over the A12, just wide enough to take my trike over (i.e. probably only 1.3 metres wide or so) but in order to get to it I had to cross the dual carriageway A120 feeder road into the roundabout for the A12/A120. This was very tricky to cross, it took me about 3 minutes before there was a large enough gap. There were two areas with lowered kerbs, neither of which gave you very long to see traffic which was coming from round a corner.
Anyway, these pics might help those planning to cycle to this ride.
From the footbridge looking back over the place where I crossed (at the bus stop)
Once I'd crossed the footbridge there was a very quiet road upon which were a lot of food establishments - chip shop, chinese, convenience store, sandwich shop. I went into the sandwich shop to see if it'd do as a place for breakfast and they did the following (as well as lots of filled rolls/baguettes):
As there was nowhere to sit inside I went out again and sat on my bike and noticed the posh delicatessen across the road (with large car park) had the following sign:
I reckon that's quite pricey for a brekkie!
Anyway, my conclusion, having struggled to push my trike across the road, was that I'll probably cycle that part on the road rather than walking it, but those more sprightly on their feet with cycles that are easier to wheel ought to be OK, if they are patient!
By the way, Wowbagger, have you considered riding from Mark's Tey to Dedham? It was a lovely flattish and picturesque ride that I had to get to Marks Tey and very little traffic. Dedham's tea room could make a good elevenses stop?
