Nice Novice road routes in North Essex / Suffolk area

If you don't mind a little drive first, head for the Suffolk coast, park up at Tunstall (other side of Woodbridge), ride through the forest and head to Orford for tea and cake, come back on any number of small, quiet roads.

If you follow my link, you'll find a few videos of rides I've done around those parts

Take your pick - you have some of the nicest cycling around. Personally I would recommend the area between E. Bergholt, Sudbury and Bildeston, full of quiet lanes (though some are surprisingly lumpy), but depends where is easy for you to get to. In Essex, the area around Tollesbury is very quiet (anywhere east of the B1021 really), also the Dengie peninsula beyond Latchingdon, though Latchingdon itself is unpleasantly busy. If you are looking for a club in the area, Maldon and District are very good, but look first at the club which is local to you.

Ride in those areas myself. I like the area just to the east of Saffron Walden, quite a few quiet roads around there. The roads around Clare are also particularly nice. I often cycle a bit further north to there around Dalham but I'm based in Cambridge. You could join a club but CCC rides are usually at least 60 miles, even the slower ones. There may be another one near you with shorter ones. Country roads are great but there are some drivers going a bit fast but I've never had a problem in either N Essex or Suffolk yet. If you're unsure of your skills contact a company that does Level 2 and 3 bikeability courses. Outspoken, for whom I do a bit of work, are based in Cambridge. I'm also a qualified instructor myself so I'd be happy to go on a spin and give a few tips if you want to get in touch.

Sounds obvious but to avoid traffic stay away from the main roads. Of course, on country lanes speeds will be lower but there may be less space for cars to pass. You don't say where you're based but Flitch Bikes do evening run outs I believe.

I'd recommend you find a local club and go on the club runs with them. The club I'm a member of (SE London, not Essex) does a run specifically aimed at novice/new riders, so usually shorter than our regular runs and at a comfortable pace. The roads we use are generally light on the traffic. And they are a "try before you buy", so you don't have to join the club immediately. Try British Cycling club finder.