The Thurrock Council cycle map covers over 70 kilometres of cycle paths within Thurrock (see link below).
In Thurrock, there a number of bike shops spread around the borough. There are two large stores at the Lakeside retail park, as well as several smaller independent stores located elsewhere. We have a verypleasant cycle route along the River Thames (a section of the National Cycle Network's National Route 13)
We also have nature reserves, parks and chalk gorges that you can ride in. Over 60% of Thurrock is rural, so there is plenty of space for you to enjoy your ride!
There are several easy routes in Thurrock for new cyclists.
A particularly easy route (between 5 to 7 miles) is along the Mardyke Valley. It follows a route in the Davy Down area. This is an area of park and woods, which is well paved with an impressive viaduct dated from the 18th Century, the Mardyke river flowing through its heart, and a dramatic pump house, also from the 18th century, at its edge. It is mainly level and has a gritted path. Take a look at these two photos by clicking on the links.
http://www.ingrays.com/gallery/davy-down-46# http://www.ingrays.com/gallery/davy-down-46#
Lion Gorge and Chafford Gorge are pleasant rides in a pretty area in the Chafford Hundred area of Grays. There are some areas that are hilly and unmade, but mostly the paths run alongside the lakes at the bottom of these chalk works.
The RSPB Rainham Marshes cycle hire scheme gives you the chance to ride around the perimeter of the reserve and explore its surrounding landscape. You have the opportunity to take in views over the River Thames and down to London from the river wall. For more information, please go to here.
NCN 13
National Route 13 of the National Cycle Network will connect Tower Bridge in London with Fakenham in Norwich. Passing through East London close to the Thames, Route 13 then heads north from Tilbury to Chelmsford in Essex. After a stretch on National Route 1,National Route 13 resumes at Colchester and continues north to rejoin National Route 1 just south of Fakenham in Norfolk. Where no printed map is available for a particular section please use the Sustrans Online mapping.
The route is under development but there are many sections already open: between Rainham Marshes and Purfleet; alongside the Thames at Grays and Tilbury; and then onwards to Norfolk. More info here.
More information on cycle routes in Thurrock is available free from these sites.