Bladder Training. (Kenninghall Bistro, Kenninghall)

Kenninghall Bistro,

Under new management as Twin Teapots

In case I've not mentioned it (recently) then last weekend I ran 3 marathons in 3 days across the Dorset Coast path. This meant that I was currently in recovery mode. However on hearing the news Big George seemed overly keen to arrange a cafe cycle ride today and one that was over 40 miles. I assumed this was so he could get a blow by blow account of my adventure, as it turned out this was not the case although he got one anyway.

I had recently been recommended to try the Kenninghall Bistro, which just so happened to be just over 40 miles away and in the correct wind direction so nicely fitted the requirement. A couple of years ago I had gone there when it was the Kenninghall Coffee House and it had been distinctly average so I was hoping for better today. But before then we had the twenty mile part of the ride into the wind. 

It soon became apparent why Big George had been so keen on a ride as with my 3 marathon legs I was certainly struggling today and he clearly wanted to make this payback time for all the occasions I had left him behind. At the slightest sign of me launching into a marathon based tale he would sprint off leaving me floundering as I was still sore from last weekend's exertions. I feared he would teach me a cycling lesson I won't forget but he hadn't thought his plan through.

Big George likes to spend his Thursday nights out with the 'boys' at his local pub but now in to his later years his waterworks are not what they used to be so after each burst of cycling activity I was able to catch him up as he had to stop for a series of comfort breaks.

In this stop start style we soon made it to Kenninghall Bistro and I had managed to keep up. 

Outside Kenninghall Bistro in the outdoor continental style seating area

While Big George went off to powder his nose I checked out the cakes and it was a fine selection with two enormous sponge cakes plus a selection of tray bakes and scones.

A fine cake selection on display

I obviously took a fruit scone home to test out for fruit scone of the year.#FSOTY. It was a good, if rather crumbly, one.

Kenninghall Bistros Fruit scone

For todays cake choice I opted for salted Caramel cake while Big George had an Americano and a breakfast sandwich. As a breakfast sandwich is clearly not cake Big George played no further part in cake reviewing activity today.

We choose to sit in the outdoor continental style seating area and lap up some rays, where are refreshments soon arrived.

Cake and drinks

My hot chocolate was very large making me nervous that it would be just a hot milky drink, so I was relieved that it was still pretty chocolaty, although a bit stronger and a little smaller would have been best for me. My salted Caramel cake was again very large but also very tasty receiving a high cake taste quality (CTQ) mark.

Big George had been a bit sniffy about returning here as he had remembered it's previous incarnation but he not only ate his breakfast sandwich but his words as he though his coffee was top drawer and, although not part of my cafe rating system, said his breakfast sandwich was one of the best he had had.

We were both pleasantly surprised at how good the Kenninghall Bistro was and highly recommend a visit.

It was now wind behind on the return journey but as this was the longest ride we had done for a while Big George soon started to fade and with the addition of coffee to his bladder then several more pit stops were required and I had avoided a cycle based thrashing. Hopefully normal service will be resumed when we ride again next week.

Scores Based on 2 visits

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
6.2	8	7.7	8.85	7.09	7.57

Route

Click here to download 44 mile Norwich Kenninghall loop gpx file to your gps

Norfolk cycle parkrun challenge stage 7. (Florence cafe, Kings Lynn)

Florence Cafe,

Kings Lynn,

Closed down

You may recall that my friend Mark was looking for someone to join him on an attempt to cycle to, then run, every parkrun in Norfolk over the year (there are now 13). So far we have done 6 but due to availability issues had had most of the summer off.

Yesterday we were both back on it as it was time to do the parkrun we had been dreading, Kings Lynn. Not that there is anything wrong with Kings Lynn but as the official Norfolk cycle parkrun challenge rules state; Each ride needs to start from your home parkrun, which means the bandstand at Eaton Park in Norwich. I had calculated that we needed to leave at 5.15 am to get to the start in time so got up very early. 

Looking surprisingly happy for 5:15 in the morning

We were very fortunate with the weather as there were clear blue skies and only a light wind blowing into us. As it was still early we risked going on some busier roads to help shorten the distance although felt that straight down the dual carriageway on the A47 was probably a step too far. 

Perfect cycling conditions with no traffic about

Despite it being nearly 50 miles we paced it rather well and got to the Walks in Kings Lynn just in time for the pre run briefing.

The parkrun is 3 laps of the park which include an out and back section where you have to turn 180 degrees around a lamp post. On the first lap I studied the slingshot technique used by the more experienced runners. On lap two my first attempt nearly ended in disaster as I hung on for more than the required angle flinging myself back across the path into the on coming runners before mastering the method on the final lap.

Mark entering the finishing funnel

You may remember that back in March I got an Achilles injury (not that I like to mention it) that has now eventually cleared up. However during this time Mark built up a substantial lead in the fastest average parkrun time comp (that he didn't know he had entered). Sadly Mark is now injured so I pulled back nearly 7 minutes on him yesterday thus halving the deficit on my spreadsheet and I'm back in the game.

At the end of the Kings Lynn parkrun

It was now time to check out the cafe but unfortunately the park's one didn't sell cake so after a quick search on google maps we found one that did. It was the Florence cafe just a 4 minute bike ride away.

Outside Florence cafe near the park

It was a bit dark inside, which had the counter in the backroom as one of  two indoor seating areas available. Here we found the cake selection which had some nice cakes but they had been baked as slices not a round sponge cake like I prefer. We ordered before returning to the front room.

A rather square cake selection

I had coffee and walnut square cake with my hot chocolate and felt they were both pretty good. Mark thought his ginger cake was good too but his latte was very disappointing as it had hardly any coffee in it. Mark now has several guest hot drink rating experiences under his belt so I trusted him when he said he could only give his drink a 4.3. 

Nice cakes but latte wasn't the best

Now fully refreshed it was time to head home and despite having wind behind it felt like a bit of a slog. We both admitted to being very tired at the end of the 95 mile round trip.

Today (Sunday) I will find out if getting up at 4.45am, riding 95 miles and doing Kings Lynn parkrun is good preparation for the Great Yarmouth half marathon which I have entered. (note: It isn't)

Scores

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
6.2	4.3	6.1	7.2	5	5.76

route to be published shortly

Late again. (The School House, Poringland)

Closed Down

With clear blue skies and bright sunshine, today looked like the perfect day for a cafe cycle ride, but don't be fooled. I had arranged a 35 mile loop in South Norfolk ending at the new community cafe (the School House) in Poringland. Today's cycling guest, Big George, sent me his normal "why I'll be late" text as I waited for him by the big wrought Iron gates at the end of Crusader Towers drive. It said "just setting off and will be with you in 5". The units of the 5 were not specified and it turned out they were each 6 minutes in length as we eventually left 30 minutes late.

Cycling guest cycling top tip 63. Before setting off on your ride check the weather forecast and don't be fooled by clear blue skies and bright sunshine as it could still be very cold.

Fortunately we had both sensibly followed cycling guest cycling top tip 63 and, for the first time, both had our gillets on as it was freezing. Especially if you were waiting in the cold for half an hour to start your ride.

To keep warm we cycled as fast as we could until we arrived at the School House cafe in Poringland

Outside the School House entrance

As the name suggests the School House cafe is housed in the old Poringland primary school building in presumably what was one of the classrooms. The decor is very bright and they have kept away from any old school theme which is good or bad depending on your taste but a bit too clinical for me.

The cake selection wasn't bad with several nice looking cake offerings. I went for banana and honey loaf and Big George ordered a cappuccino and egg sandwich, (on white with no garnish). As an egg sandwich (on white with no garnish) is not cake then he played no further part in cake reviewing.

Today's cake selection

We felt our drinks were both a bit on the weak side and my banana loaf seemed to be a fruit cake as I couldn't detect any banana, just sultaners but I may just have been given the wrong loaf. Either way it tasted very good but was a bit on the dry side. 

Cakes and drinks at the school house cafe

Although egg sandwiches play no part in my rating system Big George wanted it noted that it was an excellent one. So I have, maybe he should start his own egg sandwich based blog to save me the effort in future.

As we set off for home Big George asked what time it was as he had an urgent appointment at the barbers. Fortunately he had plenty of time but proudly announced he had brought extra money with he in case we were delayed and he had to go straight to his haircut. I questioned why he used the word we as I recalled being on schedule as I waited half an hour in the freezing cold to start the ride and without introducing any time pressures of my own.

I'm sure you will be glad to know that we did get back in plenty of time and by now Big George's hair should have been appropriately shortered.

Scores

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
5.9	5	6.8	6.8	6.1	6.12

Route to be published shortly

Cheese scone hot or not? (Piano tearooms, Wymondham)

Closed Down

I had been trying for sometime to organise a ride to the recently opened Piano Tea Rooms at Ketteringham Hall but a combination of cycling guest availability and opening times had delayed my visit.

When golfing friend Tim mentioned he was keen to get back to cycling after a several year gap then it seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine a new cafe with a new cycling guest.

Tim has been going cycling mad over the last year but only at indoor spin cycle classes as he hasn't got a proper bike. As a man with a number of bikes (although I always have one less than I need) I was happy to lend him one for our 30 mile loop. 

After his cycling break I I was impressed how well Tim got going, it was just like riding a bike for him. It is always hard to judge what speed to go with a new cycling guest so my normal tactic is to go faster and faster until they can't keep up and then I know what pace to stay within. I had forgotten that in the world of indoor spin you must never show a weakness so no matter how fast I went Tim was determined to keep up meaning we made it to the Piano Tea Rooms in record time, although completed knackered.

The tea room is situated in the orangery on the side of Ketteringham hall. Outside there are lots of tables over looking the grounds. For a newly opened tea room on a Wednesday in mid November I was surprised how busy it was, which was a good sign.

In the outside seating area at the Piano Tea Room at Ketteringham Hall

The cake selection was very good, mainly big sponge cakes, and I awarded a high effective cake selection (ECS) mark. 

Good selection of sponge cakes

Owner Kim is a keen follower of the blog and knows my view on cheese scones in that I believe they are best served warm but she challenged me to try one of hers at room temperature, which I was happy to do along with a piece of toffee apple cake.

As a new cycling guest Tim clearly wanted to fit in and must have thought it was normal to order two items (or maybe he's just greedy) so he had apricot flapjack and coffee and walnut cake.

As it was busy inside and a mild day we opted for one of the outside tables to have our refreshments delivered to.

The drinks arrived first and my hot chocolate was a good one with a proper chocolate taste. Tim thought the flavour of his latte coffee was good but it wasn't hot enough for him to give top guest hot drink quality marks.

The cakes were superb, having good generous slices, with my toffee apple cake being the best cake I can remember enjoying this much for ages (and I have had a lot of cake). Tim also raved about his apricot flapjack as well. 

Cakes and drinks, although Tim had finished his coffee before I had a chance to snap it

But the question we all wanted answering was if the cheese scone could successfully operate at ambient temperature and I must say I felt it did easily carry it off being both light and cheesey although I still think it would have been even better if warmed.

I told Tim how lucky he was that we had gone to a top notch venue for his first ride and not to think all cafes and tearooms have views, cake and flapjack this good. As such I highly recommend a visit.

On the way back Tim said he had enjoyed the ride so much he was thinking of getting a new bike and doing more cycling outside in future, although if he always has two pieces of cake at his cafe stops he'll need to.

Ratings based on 2 visits

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
8.375	7.3	8.25	9.07	8.35	8.27

Map of route

Click here to download 31 mile Norwich Attleborough loop gpx file for your GPS

Just in time. Hatters Tearoom (Dereham)

Hatters Cafe,

Dereham,

Now Closed Down

As my Twitter and Facebook follows may know I have been away in Europe competing in the prestigious cafe cycle tour of Slovenia. As well as me, some (well one actually) of the finest cafe cycle riders in the world were also in the field but I managed to beat Andrew (who is notoriously hard to please) in the general classification as well as mop up all the king of the mountains points. To keep him interested I did introduce a best old rider competition which, as the only entrant, he duly won. 

Action from Stage 3 of the cafe tour of Slovenia

I'm only telling you this to explain why it has been so long since my last new cafe post (and to help massage my ego of course).

It had been nearly 6 weeks since I had last caught up with Big George so it was good to put these two things right as we met up for a ride out to the other side of Dereham.

As always Big George turned up with an excuse to explain his forth coming poor performance explaining he had been stung by a bee and his leg had been poisoned. He claimed he was on antibiotics and proudly showed me a large purple rash on his leg (that suspiciously looked like a ribena stain) but I went with it and promised we would take it easy to help aid his recovery.

It was a hot day but we had much to catch up on as we headed off into the wind. I tried to retune into Big Georges broad scottish accent which was made doubly difficult as his words were being blown about in the wind. Despite using all my powers of concentration I couldn't make much out. Then I remembered I never listen to him anyway so it wasn't really a problem and we soon arrived at Hatters tea room on the A47. 

The first thing I noticed was a 'to let' sign so I was worried it had closed down. Fortunately this was not the case but on further questioning I discovered that the current occupants are looking to move on in the near future so if you want to go there I suggest you do so soon.

Outsider Hatters Tearoom

We took a seat in the outdoor seating terrace before checking out a good cake selection.

Good cake selection with most of the bases covered

I went for carrot cake and was also pleased to see there were sausage rolls available which I could try out in my sausage roll of the year contest #SROTY. 

Todays sausage roll entries

Big George had Victoria sponge with his sausage roll and coffee.

The sausage roll was good but didn't make my current finalist shortlist. We both liked our drinks and thought the cakes were good ones too.

Todays refreshment selection

It is a shame that Hatters cafe may not be in action much longer as it was a good stop and worth a visit.

On the way back I asked Big George if he had done much cycling since our last trip in April.

He explained that he had been working on his cycling technique and was keen to share what he had learnt.

Cycling guest cycling top tip no 62. To cycle up hills more efficiently; sit at the back of your seat and push down with your heels.

As I waited at the top of the next hill it was clear Big George had still not mastered cycling guest cycling top tip no 62 yet.

Scores

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
6.5	6.5	7.0	7.75	7.0	6.95

Route to be published soon

Rest. (Coffee House, Ketteringhall)

The Coffee House,

Kenninghall,

Changed hands see Bladder Training

After a busy year of running, cycling and triathloning I decided it would be wise to take a couple of weeks off before starting training again for next years endurance challenges (which I'm sure everybody is looking forward to hearing about). However after 3 days of this resting nonsense I decided that a quick cafe cycle ride wouldn't do any harm so arranged to sneak out on the bike, with regular cycling guest Big George, but decided to keep it quiet from my legs and hoped they won't notice.

Due to the number of other cycling activities I had been doing recently then I hadn't seen Big George for a while so as soon as we set off it was time for a catch up. I told him all about the fun I had been having fixing the problems on my new computer while he told me all about the latest housework he had been doing and some particularly challenging washing up. 

With such fascinating topics being covered time flew by as we arrived at the Coffee House in Ketteringhall.

Standing by the outside seating area at the Coffee House Kenninghall

There was a nicely positioned outdoor seating area from which you could watch all the action in Ketteringhall unfold including a particularly good view of the movements in and out of the Ketteringhall village stores and post office on the other side of the road.

But we had no time for local people watching as there was cafe reviewing to be done so it was straight inside to check out the cakes. It seemed like quite a small cake selection with only Victoria sponge, rhubarb and custard cake and bananoff muffins available. However as I chose between them it was clearly a very effective selection so got the highest effective cake selection (ECS) mark that that few cakes could get.

Small but effective cake selection

I went for the rhubarb and custard cake with my hot chocolate, whilst Big George went for a filter coffee and bacon sandwich. He clearly saw my disappointment at him not caking and so ordered a toasted tea cake. This of course did not help as I have stated on many occasions that, despite having the word cake in it, a toasted tea cake is clearly not a cake but a bread with added raisins, plus its toasted and you should never try and toast cake. Therefore Big George's contribution would only be to rate his hot drink.

Big Georges Coffee, Bacon Sandwich and toasted tea cake, non of which are cakes

I thought my hot chocolate was a nice one and scored well as did my cake, however Big George seemed to be in a sulk and didn't rate his coffee that highly.

My Hot Chocolate and actual cake

Despite this I thought that the Coffee House in Kenninghall had proved to be a nice stop and fills a big gap for cafes in that area on my locations map.

As we set off on the ride home Big George still seemed to be in a strop. I questioned him further on his problem and eventually got to the bottom of it. It wasn't, as I had assumed, that he had been told off for not caking properly but that the nice lady who had served us hadn't asked him how far he had cycled today and he always likes to be asked. I therefore promised I would make it clear in my post that we had cycled nearly 44 miles and that he had done very well, which seemed to cheer him up.

When I got home my legs didn't seem to have noticed their outing so tomorrow I will continue my exercise downtime by sneaking out again for another quick cafe cycle ride, which is my type of resting. 

Scores

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
7.5	5.5	4.5	7.0	6.0	6.10

Route

Click here to download 44 mile Norwich Kenninghall loop gpx file to your gps