Tour de Gateaux stage 1 to Aldeburgh (Coffee Den at Pura Vida, Wortwell)

Coffee Den at Pura Vida Garden centre,

Wortwell,

Tue-Sun 9.30-3.00

Highly Recommended

To celebrate getting back on the bike properly then this year I have decide to organise a few 2 day rides that will be part of the first ever Tour de Gateaux. Unlike other stage races on the international bike scene, the Tour de Gateaux always has a cafe stop half way through where points are awarded for eating cake for the cake eating points prize. There are also prizes for stages wins and the overall general classification.

Entry is by invite only where the only criteria is that I think I can ride faster than you. I therefore hand picked seven of my regular cycling guests to join me on the Grande de Part. The first two stages were Norwich to Aldeburgh and  Aldeburgh to Norwich. I inadvertently forgot to mention to the other seven that it was a race to further increase my chances of winning.

Unfortunately it was a wet and windy start as the peleton left Norwich and headed for the first compulsory cafe stop at Beccles. 

part of the peleton dealing with the unseasonable conditions

I had kindly offered to carry Mrs.Crusader’s overnight kit on my bike. The 1st law of packing states that the amount of stuff taken will always fill the the luggage space available however long the trip. Knowing this law I made sure I gave her the smallest pannier I could find. Which as predicted came back full to the brim.

Lunch was at Twyfords in Beccles which appears to be a very popular and rather expensive cafe (£5.95 for a slice of cake!). 

It claims to have a secret garden although not much of a secret as it advertises the fact. I had been here once before so was keen to check the ratings. See previous review for up to date cafe scores etc Wet, wet, wet.

Outside Twyfords where there is sadly little bike parking

The staff were very friendly and the drinks all scored well. As cake was so expensive I was the only one that had any so this put me straight to the top of the cake eating leader board. It was a salted caramel sponge which was nice but not spectacular. Note to self I must remember to tell the others about the cake eating competition.

Very expensive cake

We also had lunch which everyone seemed to enjoy. By the time we left there was a big queue waiting for tables so it seems to be a very popular joint.

Unfortunately the rain had got heavier and wind stronger as we set off again towards Aldeburgh but Mrs Frazer was very excited when she got to cycle across a golf course.

Cycling across the 11th hole at Thorpeness

As we approached the final couple of kms the road turned along the sea front and straight into a head wind. There was only me and old school cyclist Dom left as the rest of the riders had been blown away. Dom attempted the old trick of sitting on my wheel to shield from the wind before trying to sprint past but he went about a mile too soon so I was able to repeat his trick and had a big lead as we went under the flan rouge. The stage and tour leaders Maglia Rosa Jersey was mine.

After a relaxed evening then stage 2 was due to start at 9:45 but as usual the group had an over long breakfast and faffing to fit in so were far from ready on time.

Pre ride faffing

I waited patiently in my bright pink tour leaders Jersey for the rest of the peleton to finally arrive.

Proudly wearing my the tour leaders Jersey

Before setting off we decided to ask a passing dog walker to take a group photo which didn't quite come out as hoped but I'm sure you get the idea.

Team photo plus passing dogwalkers finger

Fuelled by an overlong breakfast the group set off at a good speed until the first controversary of the day when Barry and Helen and their tandem were spotted mechanically doping as it was discover Barry's so called water bottle was in fact a battery for an E-tandem! And they were thrown out of todays stage.

Disgraceful display of blatant mechanical doping

Todays lunch stop was at the coffee den at Pura Vida garden centre where the cafe seems the bigger attraction.

Wondering where the rest of group had got to as I arrive at 

There was plenty of indoor and outdoor seating plus and indoor/outdoor fusion seating area, which looked very comfy but sadly full.

There was a solid cake selection to select from which the nice waitress lady could recite by heart.

Today’s cake selection 

The drinks went down well and scored highly but despite me explaining the cake points competition to everyone yesterday only me and Helen had any cake, and she had already been DQed.

The only cakes eaten today

Everyone else had more traditional lunchtime fare and it was agreed this was a very good cycle cafe stop and I highly recommend a visit.

As the ride neared it’s end the peleton started to spread out, but as cycling host I decide to wait up from time to time to make sure everyone was still on route and alive.

Part of strung out peleton 

But as we neared the end Andrew (who is notoriously hard to please) didn't wait nicely and set of on an outrageous break to claim the stage (but not the jersey). He may have won the day but has turnned the cycling public against him for such unsportsmanlike behaviour. 

Andrew starts his dash for the line

The tour now heads to North Norfolk at the end of May for the next two stages.

Scores for Coffee Den at Pura Vida based on 2 visits. Most recent 12th May 2022

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
6..5	7	7.25	7.5	7.3	7.11

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