Lets find a Cafe (or tearoom)

Lets find a Cafe (or tearoom)

Locations of reviewed cafes

For more information on the Cafes I have visited and the latest cafe cycle news go to http://www.cake-crusader.co.uk/

Cake Crusader Book

There is now a Cake Crusader book available where you can follow my journey from humble local trips to world record attempts and near-death experiences. How did a simple method of keeping track of decent cycling café pit stops turn my life upside down? Track my adventures into Europe, up mountains and right across Great Britain as I become a 'rising star' on social media. Will I prove my critics wrong? Should cheese scones be served hot or cold? Do I really have nothing better to do with his time? A must read for lovers of cycling and cake or anyone wanting to make it big in the virtual world

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Wednesday, 28 February 2018

India coast to coast day 4

India Coast to Coast day 4

It was to be a shorter ride today as my search for a better than 7 out of 10 cup of tea continued. We had been told that no early morning alarm call would be required today and the reason became apparent as the early morning local wailing did the trick instead. After a breakfast of curry and toast it was time to hit the road. Today we had no city to get through so were off to a fast start to a nearby town.
Mrs Crusader on the way to town
The next part of the ride was to put all my new found Indian bike handling skills the test. First it was another race through rush hour using my now legendary bell ringing skills to  make it to the other side.
Another bell ringing frenzy in order to get through town
Next we rode along the river on an old crumbling road which had little traffic but plenty of potholes and bumps.
Roads more like the standard we are used to in Norfolk
We crossed a bridge, where it was pointed out that there were crocodiles in the water (and if you look closely you can see the tops of two sticking out). We don't get many crocodiles in Norfolk at this time of year so it was good to see some in the wild.
Crocodile action
This took us to a quick elephant based Temple visit (one of several contenders for temple of the day; winner to be announced at the end of the post. I also put all today's temple entries are on my tweeter feed, exciting stuff!)
Elephant based temple
At last it was time for our tea stop and it was a real treat.
First teashop of the day
Not only were we having tea but deep fried potato fritters and doughnuts as well. Big George, like any Scotsman, would have loved it.
Everything here was deep fried
Just as your thought it couldn't get any better some benches appeared to create a tranquil pop up outdoor seating area on the roadside. 
Pop up outdoor seating area in action
Here I discussed the cafes ratings with the other punters and although the deep fried things were good the tea was our least favourite to date being a bit too bitter for our western tastes. Although nice this tea room couldn't surpass the excellent ginger tea stop from yesterday.
Tea and deep fried thing
Back on river path we ploughed on as the temperature continued to raise to a rather warm 37C. It turned out we were now riding on the regions Ox cart superhighway and it was rush hour. It was total Ox cart gridlock.
Ox cart rush hour traffic
We were stuck in this traffic for over a minute before we could eventually getting going again. But our progress didn't last long as Mrs Crusader developed a puncture. Fortunately the support vehicle was close at hand and like a scene from the Tour de France Mrs Crusader raised her hand and our mechanic came charging out the van with a spare wheel to quickly have her on her way. I reminded her that this was a service she should not get used to back in the U.K.
A new wheel quickly solved the puncture issue
After 42 miles and sauna strength temperatures it was time to stop for the day and lunch, after which there was a chance to visit a mega temple at our overnight stop in Tanjoure.
A top Temple (3rd biggest in Tamil Nadu apparently)
It had been another lovely ride on a beautiful sunny day and we had seen lots more of Indian rural life in this agricultural region. Still not found the great cup of tea or über tea shop yet but with another 60 plus miles to do tomorrow I'm optimistic of success.

Oh and today's temple of the day was not surprisingly the mega temple at Tanjoure which was absolutely templetastic.

Tomorrow's weather forecast (what a surprise 30C + and full sun again)

Cafe ratingsw 
Cafe
Tea
Food
Ambiance
Score
Auraville visitor centre cafe
3744.67
Caddaloor 
77.56.787.09
Buvanagiri
5.833.74.16
Anakkarai
4.56.85.65.63





Stats

Miles
Average Speed
Hours on bike
Meters climbed
Day 1 familiarisation 
2.98.080:212
Day 2 Puducherry loop
149.761:2677
Day 3 Puducherry to Chidambaram
63.212.684:59119
Day 4 Chidambaram to Tanjoure
41.912.353:2369


Overall
122
12.0210:09267

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