Could you cycle over 2,000 miles visiting over 50 different nature reserves in your county?

The wonderful Amanda did just that, from her base in Beccles she cycled across Suffolk – sometimes having to stay overnight in places to visit a total of 51 of our nature reserves.

After a career working in the charity sector, Amanda settled in Suffolk with her husband and cycling partner Ted. Taking on many adventures together, they have cycled across France and to 100 churches surrounding their Suffolk home to name a handful of their adventures together.

Following the loss of her husband in 2023, Amanda set a new challenge to revisit the 100 churches they had cycled to together during lockdown - this time visiting the inside too rather than enjoying their flask of coffee in the surrounding churchyard and then heading back home (due to covid restrictions).

Each new challenge is one to look forward to and after revisiting the churches Amanda set a new task of visiting all the open-to-public Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserves.

Based in Beccles in north Suffolk, this proved to be quite the task. Setting aside a year to visit each reserve, some cycle rides totalled over 100 miles!

With each journey Amanda took note of the wildlife and nature not only at the reserves but also along the country lanes as she cycled. Storing this information away she then revisited her journey with watercolours in sketchbooks made by her son.

Sitting down with us for a coffee at our Carlton Marshes nature reserve visitor centre, she told us that this trip was a way to build confidence after Ted’s death, as he was the chief navigator on their journeys learning to use maps ‘the old-fashioned way’ was a challenge to begin with. Working out a system of chopping boards fastened to the front of her bike, with the relevant sections map pasted together Amanda slowly built a familiar rhythm navigating the country lanes.

‘You’d never believe how many maps it takes to cycle from Beccles to Arger Fen!’

Amanda also told us how this trip helped boost her connection with nature.

‘Cycling is an excellent way to experience nature, this pace of travel means you can take the time to look at the hedgerows, or the birds flying ahead and take note of the seasonal changes. As long as you keep your eyes on the maps too of course! I’ve always been a nature person, and with cycling it has meant I’ve had the ability to understand my surroundings better and embrace the outdoors whatever the weather.

This challenge has had massive benefits to my mental wellbeing because of nature.’

Inspired by Amandas story?

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