I have been on lots of longer cafe cycle trips and special missions which you can relive from the links on this page.
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Up the Alps. The continuing search for the best mountain top cafe and ultimate croissant. Sept 2019
In 2018 I went in search of the best croissant you can find up a mountain in France. (see Across the Pyrenees). I did this via a ride from one end of the Pyrenees to the other incorporating 11 major climbs. Results were inconclusive and (SPOILER ALERT) I didn't really find the ultimate croissant I was after. Therefore in 2019 I returned to France to continue my mission but this time in the mighty Alps. Day 1: First mountain top cafe but rubbish croissants. Day 2: It was a wet and cold one but at last some decent cake Day 3: The queens stage with 3 cols but it was a nutrition disaster Day 4: Up the iconic Alpe D'Huez plus some spectacular descents Day 5: Racing up today's Cols, literally Vienna To Budapest. How do European cycle routes compare to ours? July 2019
I thought it was time to see how some of the best cycle routes in Europe compare to our National Cycle Routes. Will their cycle routes end up in fields like back home, are the cafes along the route any good and can you get cake. To test these things out I had chosen to cycle the route from Vienna (in Austria) to Budapest (in Hungary) along the Danube along with Mrs Crusader and her two cycling guests. Day 1: Where we meet the Danube, relive the sound of music and find plenty of castles and cake. Day 2: A short ride with not enough cycling and too much sightseeing but at least there was good cake. Day 3: What would be river of the day and would my cycling guests survive the 27 mile route with no coffee stops? Day 4: Where I cause an international incident and find more excellent cake. Day 5: The longest day with extra ferry crossing action, but would there be cake? Day 6: We make it round the bend to Budapest. But where is the best cafe (with cake) and what have we learnt? Dover To Norwich on National Cycle Route 1. July 2019
In the next part of a series of trips along national cycle routes I took Mrs Crusader back to Norwich from Dover to complete the missing link and now have completed most of NCR1. We cycled by the sea, crossed the Thames and were joined by surprise cycling guests back through Suffolk and Norfolk. But as always there was much adventure and cake on the way. Day 1: Where I deliver Mrs Crusaders Top 3 cycling likes and dislikes on a single day! Day 2: It was the best of cycle tracks and the worst of cycle tracks Day 3: Many mood swings as we attempt to get across London Day 4: NCR1 shows its full range of cycling surfaces Day 5: Final push home, but what have we learned By the Seaside on National Cycle Route 2. July 2018
As part of a series of trips along national cycle routes I took Mrs Crusader along the South coast on national cycle route 2 visiting many seaside resorts and some fabulous cafes. With sea views, morris dancers and ferries aplenty did I actually manage to deliver a cycle trip that Mrs Crusader approved of? Day 1: Off to a bumpy start but with added Morris dancing Day 2: Another day doesn't go as planned as we end up in a bog Day 3: Foals, Ferries and Football Day 4: Lots of piers and a possible cream tea Day 5: The best cake ever but a sting in the tail Day 6: Final push to Dover and I have an idea Across the Pyrenees: Seeking out the ultimate croissant. June 2018
Find out what happened on my 450 mile trip across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Med as I went in search of the ultimate croissant in their spiritual home. I was also seeking out places that the TdF peloton might want to take a break at on the longer stages. Day 1: A gentle introduction and the first croissants to check out. Day 2: First proper climb and a waffle. Day 3: Up the iconic Tourmalet Day 4: Two more TdF climbs and croissants are getting better too Day 5: Racing up today's Cols, literally Day 6: Final big Col and push to the med. India Coast to Coast: In search of a good cup of tea. Spring 2018. Feb-March 2018
Find out what happened when I cycled across India. Can a cup of tea ever score more than 7 out of 10, what were the temples of the day and how does it compare with cycling in Norfolk. Day 1 and 2: Introduction and India familiarisation Day 3: Leaving the Bay of Bengal in search of a good cup of tea Day 4: Tea, Temples and Traffic Day 5: A long and hot ride, but with added monkeys Day 6 and 7: Transition from hot and flat Tamil Nadu to hot and hilly Kerala Day 8: Do I find the cup of tea I'm after? As we visit a tea plantation Day 9: Into the jungle in search of pineapples Day 10 and 11: Making it to the Arabian sea but we have a medical emergency Celtic Trail (National Cycle route 4). September 2017
As part of a series of trips along national cycle routes I took Mrs Crusader to Wales to try out the Celtic Trail. Not one of my more successful adventures as I discovered that Wales is full of hills and Mrs Crusader doesn't like cycling up them. However see if you would fancy the challenge. Day 1. Newport to Swansea. The flat and dull bit. Day 2. Swansea to Fishguard. Too far and too hilly Day 3. Fishguard to Tenby. Still too many hills Day 4. Tenby to Swansea. Time to quit while I was winning |
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London to Paris
Finding the best cafe across Great Britain (St Davids to Lowestoft)
Great ride North (Norwich to St Andrews on National cycle route 1)
Alpine cycle cafe reviewing (Austria, Italy and Slovenia)
Continental cafe culture (Holland trip)
World record attempt for most cafes visited on a calorie neutral cafe cycle ride
Celebrity cyclist X recommends a cafe
Finding the best cafe across Great Britain (St Davids to Lowestoft)
Great ride North (Norwich to St Andrews on National cycle route 1)
Alpine cycle cafe reviewing (Austria, Italy and Slovenia)
Continental cafe culture (Holland trip)
World record attempt for most cafes visited on a calorie neutral cafe cycle ride
Celebrity cyclist X recommends a cafe