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Ride of the 3 Cafes 2016, CCA Spring Classic! Fri 18 Mar 8.30am
Hi all
CCAs first Classic of 2016! The Ride Of The 3 Cafes.
All welcome - CCA members or not - on the Friday before the epic Milan-San Remo Classic.
Friday 18th March, 8.30am, Three Tuns, Ashwell.
The route is as per last year;
http://www.plotaroute.com/route/24003
The Full English route is 118 miles of Suffolk based hell. The pace is the same as the Wells 123 Classic, all-inclusive club run styley. Last year average speeds ranged from 15-17mph. Itll be a full day and note sunset is at 6pm on that day. So bring lights. This distance, early on the year, with the chance of bad weather, are just the sort of conditions the pro riders take on every Spring. Partly with that in mind - and to be inclusive to all members, theres an alternative version;
The Continental route ticks off two of the cafes and is approx 60 miles to Bury St Edmunds station, for a relaxing train ride back to Ashwell via Cambridge station.
So it's a Classic for everyone.
The roads and lanes are a bit tighter in Suffolk at times. It requires a little more single file here and there. Treat it as an opportunity to prove your group riding skills. And there is a small section [2.5 miles] of A-road around Highpoint Prison. Though its a wide road and quite light in traffic. Saffron can be a bit heavy in traffic by the time we get there, so well play it cool. As ever, we will do whatever we need to do to stay safe.
Cafe 1
The Blue Egg
35 miles
A bike ride magnet. Top quality fare. Super slick, quick service.
http://www.theblueegg.co.uk/kneadfood.html
Comes highly Cav recommended: https://twitter.com/markcavendish/status/346994102845444096
Cafe 2
Maglia Rosso
62 miles
A right proper destination to mark out the furthest point of the ride and new mecca for cycling cafe hunters, complete with converted pub garden into a cyclo-cross track. http://www.magliarosso.co.uk/the-cafe/
Review: https://hiddentreasuresofburystedmunds.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/cycle-on-in-to-maglia-rosso/
Cafe 3
Bicicletta
93 miles
Saffron Waldens trendy cycling cafe. I'll probably pre-book a big pot of coffee n' tea for here.
https://www.biciclettavelo.com/cafe
Depending on numbers, we will split into two groups of mixed ability if turnout is high.
I'll ask the Tuns if they can open up for coffee before 8.30am.
Ill pre order lunch at Maglia Rosso.
Drinks afterwards at the Tuns.
A badge for every finisher.
Commemorative t-shirt available to buy. Design TBC. Proper screen printed.
I may do a long ride or two before this - and will post up dates if so.
If the weather is awful, we will have to postpone.
CCAs first Classic of 2016! The Ride Of The 3 Cafes.
All welcome - CCA members or not - on the Friday before the epic Milan-San Remo Classic.
Friday 18th March, 8.30am, Three Tuns, Ashwell.
The route is as per last year;
http://www.plotaroute.com/route/24003
The Full English route is 118 miles of Suffolk based hell. The pace is the same as the Wells 123 Classic, all-inclusive club run styley. Last year average speeds ranged from 15-17mph. Itll be a full day and note sunset is at 6pm on that day. So bring lights. This distance, early on the year, with the chance of bad weather, are just the sort of conditions the pro riders take on every Spring. Partly with that in mind - and to be inclusive to all members, theres an alternative version;
The Continental route ticks off two of the cafes and is approx 60 miles to Bury St Edmunds station, for a relaxing train ride back to Ashwell via Cambridge station.
So it's a Classic for everyone.
The roads and lanes are a bit tighter in Suffolk at times. It requires a little more single file here and there. Treat it as an opportunity to prove your group riding skills. And there is a small section [2.5 miles] of A-road around Highpoint Prison. Though its a wide road and quite light in traffic. Saffron can be a bit heavy in traffic by the time we get there, so well play it cool. As ever, we will do whatever we need to do to stay safe.
Cafe 1
The Blue Egg
35 miles
A bike ride magnet. Top quality fare. Super slick, quick service.
http://www.theblueegg.co.uk/kneadfood.html
Comes highly Cav recommended: https://twitter.com/markcavendish/status/346994102845444096
Cafe 2
Maglia Rosso
62 miles
A right proper destination to mark out the furthest point of the ride and new mecca for cycling cafe hunters, complete with converted pub garden into a cyclo-cross track. http://www.magliarosso.co.uk/the-cafe/
Review: https://hiddentreasuresofburystedmunds.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/cycle-on-in-to-maglia-rosso/
Cafe 3
Bicicletta
93 miles
Saffron Waldens trendy cycling cafe. I'll probably pre-book a big pot of coffee n' tea for here.
https://www.biciclettavelo.com/cafe
Depending on numbers, we will split into two groups of mixed ability if turnout is high.
I'll ask the Tuns if they can open up for coffee before 8.30am.
Ill pre order lunch at Maglia Rosso.
Drinks afterwards at the Tuns.
A badge for every finisher.
Commemorative t-shirt available to buy. Design TBC. Proper screen printed.
I may do a long ride or two before this - and will post up dates if so.
If the weather is awful, we will have to postpone.
Comments
Martin L
Pete W
Note: I had the date wrong on this. It is Friday 18th March. 8.30am. Tuns.
Pete W
Dom B
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Martin L
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige
Martin L
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige
MC
Tim D
cheers
Simon
Martin L
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige
MC
Tim D
Simon R
Can I provisionally book myself and Janet on this please, but we may need to re-asses during feb on my recovery?
Martin L
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige
MC
Tim D
Simon R
Steve J
Gareth
Janet
Seem to remember they struggled a bit with the numbers and variety last year?
JP
Steve
Martin L
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige
MC
Tim D
Simon R
Steve J
Gareth
Janet
Steve F
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige
MC
Tim D
Simon R
Steve J
Gareth
Janet
Steve F
Vince
Have good ride
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige
MC
Tim D
Simon R
Steve J
Steve F
Vince
Martin W
David N
Looking good for next month. I'll speak to Maglia Rosso about sorting lunch out closer to the time. And I'll speak to the Tuns about a kick off morning coffee in the pub. ta.
Plenty of time left to decide if you fancy this.
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige
MC
Tim D
Simon R
Steve J
Steve F
Vince
Martin W
David N
Matt S
Martin L
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige + 1
MC
Tim D
Simon R
Steve J
Steve F
Vince
Martin W
David N
Matt S
The Three Tuns are happy to open at 8am for coffee ahead of our 8.30am ride and keep us warm while others fettle their bikes.
See you between 8 and 8.30am then!
Any more in for this early season Classic?
Pete W
Dom B
JeremyP
Nige + 1
MC
Tim D
Simon R
Steve J
Steve F
Vince
Martin W
David N
Matt S
Richard P
I'll throw my name into the hat on this one as well, looks good.