Norfolk cycle parkrun challenge stage 5. (Beach cafe, Gorleston )

Beach Cafe,

Gorleston,

Opening times Everyday 8-5 (shorter in Winter)

Recommended

You may recall that over the Summer I’m planning to cycle, then run, to every parkrun in Norfolk after a foolish suggestion from cycle parkrun guest Mark. Today we were off to the seaside for the Gorleston parkrun. It was a 30 mile ride so we left the official start point, Eaton Park bandstand, at 6.30.

Keeping up a good pace into the wind we arrived in plenty of time and gathered at the park by the prom for the start.

Parkrunners gathering at the start

The run is two laps along the top then back down the prom (which was into a strong headwind today). We were both happy with our performances, with series standing at 3-2 to Mark after my victory today.

At the finish of the parkrun at Gorleston

It was then back down the prom to today’s cafe which was the beach cafe right on the seafront. 

Outside the beach cafe on the seafront at Gorleston

My previous experience of beach cafes have not been good as they don’t have to try hard to get the trade in so I was pleasantly surprised with the large and excellent looking cake selection available today. It led to a rare 9 out of 10 for effective cake selection (ECS).There were also brownies available which I took away to test later as part of my search for brownie of the year #BOTY (and they were also very good).

Todays spectacular cake selection

We were joined in the cafe by two of Mark’s friends who had also performed on the prom today. Sadly they were having fried breakfast and had come by car so couldn’t take part in any cycle cafe reviewing.

I had chosen rhubarb crumble cake and Mark lime and zucchini cake to have with his latte.

Today's cakes and drinks

The cakes were good and after trying both I announced a cake taste quality (CTQ) mark of 7.9. Mark’s friend was intrigued by my scoring methods and asked what the cakes would have required to do to score an 8. I was glad he recognised my cake tasting expertise and willing explained that they would needed to have been 0.1 better for that mark. 

Sadly the drinks dragged the final score down a bit as neither my hot chocolate or Mark’s latte were very good and a bit on the weak side however I still thought it a very good beach cafe and recommend a visit. 

Next week our parkrun challenge heads North to Holkham and as it is a 40 mile ride a very early start will be required.

Scores based on 2 visits, the last one on 15/03/2022

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
5.8	5	8.75	7.9	7.65	7.02

Route

Click here to download 29 mile Norwich to Gorleston gpx file to your gps

Click here to download 30 mile Gorleston to Norwich gpx file to your gps