I had invited Big George to join me in North West Norfolk as I was keen to visit Bircham Stores and Cafe as it had been on my cafe to do list for some time. I was also hoping to get in some "Egg on toast of the year" action although a pre ride internet search had raised some doubt as to if it would be available.
The day started well as I added a new free car park to my list of "the top 10 free car parks to start a bike ride from". This was a very large car park at the Creake Abbey cafe and shops although I suspect you are meant to buy something there rather than just use the car park. As it has an excellent farm shop and I have previously highly recommended the cafe then this is no hardship (although we didn't actually go in today).
Part of the huge overflow car park field at Creake Abbey |
With the bikes unloaded we were on our way, or were we? I hadn't gone more than a few metres when I realised my di2 electronic gears weren't changing. Further investigation highlighted that I had a flat battery (for reasons too boring to explain, although it wasn't my fault!) leaving me with two choices. Either go straight home without a ride (NEVER!) or do the ride in the gear it was currently stuck in. Fortunately it was in a good gear for a single speed ride so this is what I attempted.
You may remember that on a previous ride, Big George had had a mechanical on his bike meaning he was stuck in one gear. To show solidarity that day, I had put my bike in the same gear and we did the ride with the same set up.
Remembering this Big George said he would join me in the same gear for the duration of the ride. However as we started up the first hill Big George pushed ahead and soon eased up the hill as I grinded up in my single gear. This was repeated on the next couple of hills until I realised his plan. He was trying to get far enough ahead so I didn't notice he was changing into an easier gear for most of each climb.
One of the many up and downs I had to contend with in a single gear |
Our target stop came after 30 of our 40 mile loop so we were ready for refreshments when we arrived at Bircham Stores and Cafe in the village of Great Bircham.
Outside the stores entrance, the cafe entrance is a little further on but not as impressive |
As Big George faffed with his bike I went inside where the friendly proprietor proudly spent some time going through the posh North Norfolk style menu and today's specials. I pretended to be interested but there was only one thing on my mind (and not on the menu). Fortunately I managed to hold my nerve and once he had finished his spiel I asked for egg on toast. I was clearly a disappointment but he was happy to oblige and confirmed they would be poached on brown. I also went for some ginger cake from a fine cake selection meaning a full cafe rating could be completed
The slices and tray bake part of the excellent cake selection |
Big George though his coffee was excellent and gave a high guest hot drink score. My hot chocolate was a bit thin but was still good.
Today's hot drinks |
The best tasting eggs to date in my search for EoT of the year |
Ginger cake served on its serviette!!!!!!!! |
Not sure anyone could get up to the national speed limit on this stretch of track |
Scores
Hot
Choc Quality
|
Guest
Hot Drink Quality
|
Effective
Cake Selection
|
Cake
Quality
|
Ambiance
and Atmosphere
|
Café
Rating
|
7.1
|
8
|
7.8
|
8.2
|
7.6
|
7.74
|
Click here to download 40 mile Creake Great Bircham loop GPX file on to your GPS
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