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Ride of the 3 Cafes 2016, CCA Spring Classic! Fri 18 Mar 8.30am

edited January 2016 in General
Hi all

CCA’s 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. It’ll 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, there’s 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 it’s a wide road and quite light in traffic. Saffron can be a bit heavy in traffic by the time we get there, so we’ll 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 Walden’s 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.
I’ll 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.
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Comments

  • Sounds awesome. I'm in Martin
  • Great!

    Martin L
    Pete W

    Note: I had the date wrong on this. It is Friday 18th March. 8.30am. Tuns.
  • Count me in as well
  • Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
  • Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
    JeremyP
  • This actually killed me last year! ... Work may be a problem this year along with my fitness!!
  • some resurrection Jess :-)
  • I'm actually off work this day so quite fancy joining you guys for this, If that's ok ? ;-)
  • Nige: of course! It will be great to have you with us.

    Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
    JeremyP
    Nige
  • In.

    Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
    JeremyP
    Nige
    MC
    Tim D
  • I wouldn't mind jumping on again if OK; think I've just about recovered from last year!

    cheers

    Simon
  • Everyone welcome. Note: no total solar eclipse this time.

    Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
    JeremyP
    Nige
    MC
    Tim D
    Simon R
  • Hoping to be there
  • This looks great. Could be my target long ride after my operation in Feb.

    Can I provisionally book myself and Janet on this please, but we may need to re-asses during feb on my recovery?
  • Of course, G. The only thing that really needs booking on this Classic is lunch at Maglia Rosso. I'll sort that out closer to the time when people know what's what.

    Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
    JeremyP
    Nige
    MC
    Tim D
    Simon R
    Steve J
    Gareth
    Janet
  • Martin - you thinking a set lunch at the Maglia Rosso?
    Seem to remember they struggled a bit with the numbers and variety last year?
    JP
  • Good point Jeremy. I'll have a word and see what they say. Maybe we won't have as many riders as last year: so would be less an issue.
  • Would I be able to attend please? Not a total stranger, done a few rides with Nige and accidentally lead shambolic club run to Graham last year :)

    Steve
  • Of course you're welcome - see you then Steve.

    Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
    JeremyP
    Nige
    MC
    Tim D
    Simon R
    Steve J
    Gareth
    Janet
    Steve F
  • Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
    JeremyP
    Nige
    MC
    Tim D
    Simon R
    Steve J
    Gareth
    Janet
    Steve F
    Vince
  • I'm in...!
  • I'm really sorry but I'm not able to make this as my operation is now in early March.

    Have good ride
  • I'll be there
  • edited February 2016
    Martin L
    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.
  • Martin L
    Pete W
    Dom B
    JeremyP
    Nige
    MC
    Tim D
    Simon R
    Steve J
    Steve F
    Vince
    Martin W
    David N
    Matt S
  • I maybe a "plus 1" too if that's ok ;-)
  • Of course. Non-members very welcome.

    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
  • Good news!

    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?
  • 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
    Richard P

    I'll throw my name into the hat on this one as well, looks good.
  • Hoping to join for the first couple of hours. Cant do the full day unfortunately.
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