Three cyclists pausing on a quiet Suffolk lane at golden hour above the Deben estuary
Cyclist pausing at the harbour's edge at golden hour, boats moored on the estuary
Suffolk Exploration Founders Tour is live

Unlock the secret.

A luxury cycling weekend with a secret at its heart.

Founders Tour
Scroll
Cyclists crossing a Suffolk estuary bridge in late afternoon light
Now taking interest · Summer 2026

Suffolk Exploration

The Smuggler's Trail Founders Tour · 31 Jul – 2 Aug 2026
2 nights 2 riding days Crown & Castle, Orford Seckford Hall, Woodbridge Finale on the Deben
Explore the experience
Thomas Aldred's aged map of the Deben estuary, its broken wax seal beside it Suffolk · 1847
Thomas Aldred vanished here, leaving only a map.
The mystery at the heart of it

This isn't a holiday
you go on.
It's one you unlock.

A Suffolk smuggler disappeared in 1847, leaving behind a map of the finest places he knew. Across one weekend, you follow his trail, and the story only gives up its secrets to those who solve it.

  1. 01

    Lock the bike. Follow the trail.

    The bike carries you between checkpoints. At each one, you leave it behind and explore on foot, exactly the way Aldred did.

  2. 02

    Unlock the clues.

    You're handed his map at the very start. Every checkpoint along the way unlocks another clue, and the mystery builds mile by mile. You're not on a guided tour, you're inside one.

  3. 03

    Reveal the secret.

    The finale lands on a private boat on the Deben, where the last clue falls into place and the whole weekend reframes itself. The illustrated map is yours to keep.

Tom at Stirling Point, Bluff, the end of his ride the length of New Zealand
The founder

Cycling New Zealand has been the hardest thing I've done so far. My favourite moments were the simple things that only happened because I was moving slow enough. A bike changes the way you travel. You earn your distance, you notice what's there, and you come home understanding a place better instead of passing through it.

Tom Mitchell Founder, LockYourBike
Resting beside Lake Pukaki, New Zealand, bikes in the grass
Cyclist pausing at Orford quay, looking out over the Deben estuary
Join a small group

Founders Tour

One small group. A handful of places at a genuine founders' rate. Suffolk Exploration opens this summer, personally selected, properly done.

  • 31 July – 2 August 2026
  • Up to 8 guests
  • Founders pricing
Cyclist on a quiet Suffolk lane through harvest wheat fields
Bring your people

Private Journey

Your group, your dates. Suffolk Exploration run exclusively for your party, family, friends, a milestone occasion. Everything tailored around you.

  • Flexible dates
  • Minimum 4 guests
  • Fully private
What people have said

"First words from the founders group arrive August 2026."

Suffolk Exploration · Founders Tour · July 2026

"Check back after the first group rides."

Suffolk Exploration · Private Journey

The first founders group rides 31 July – 2 August 2026.

Founders Tour · Summer 2026

Suffolk Exploration
launches this summer.

One small founders group. A handful of places, at a genuine founders' rate. Tell us about your group and we'll be in touch personally.

Tom responds to every enquiry personally  ·  07512 184833