THE PERFECT CYCLING PIT STOP??? THE SWISS BREAD CAFE…WOW!! #cyclingvlog #episode126

Join me and Mike as we head out for a local loop with the aim of taking him to an absolute hidden gem and newly discovered (by me at least) local cafe/bakery, Swiss bread. This could be the perfect lunch/cake stop whilst hitting the laps around Richmond park….so good! We also discuss the Le Blanq joyride festival in Ibiza of which Mike has partaken in 2 years on the trot so we get the lowdown on his experience of the holiday, people, riding and downtime and whyheer he recommends it!! Enjoy 🤟

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The Swiss Bread – https://www.swiss-bread.com/

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big event where there’s loads of talent that turns up. Um, is that was that apart from you or was that am I looking like I’m about to like a storm and embassy? I’m kind of going for that kind of stealth look. Everything’s quite spelt and dark. Or is it more less James Bond, more James Bond? doing laps. Got to get those K. Do I do this at all? Good morning everyone. Right, today I’m off to meet Mike. We’re going to be doing a little bit of a local loop today. However, I am taking him somewhere that I discovered on the weekend that I’ve heard about before from mates, but I’d never been to. Now, that place is the Swiss Bread Bakery and Cafe in Ham. Now, for anyone local to Richmond Park, that area, you’ll know Ham. It’s between Kingston and Richmond. So, if you frequent uh Richmond Park, you may you may or you live around the area, you may well know this cafe, but I never been, and it is exceptional. Mike’s never been there. We’re going to head there. They’ve got awesome savory, awesome sweet, and everything’s made on site. And I was blown away. I was blown away. So, that’s going to be our stop today. It’s going to be a bit of an indulgence, but but on a gloomy, gray, cold day, you need a bit of indulgence. It’s difficult, isn’t it, in this weather. I don’t know how you guys have been getting on. We’ve been very very lucky with the weather so far this year right up until now which is like end of October coming towards the the end of October. We’ve been very lucky. So it’s been raining the last couple of days. It may rain today but we’re prepared and it looks like it’s not going to. So keep your fingers crossed. You can feel that weather changing. So the bib tights are on. The the thicker winter socks are on. I’m not on uh over shoes yet or over socks. I’ll probably go to over over shoes if it goes below 12 between sort of 9 and 12 and then anything lower I whack the shoes on just because I get really cold feet as I’m getting older. That’s you guys will know what I’m talking about. Um yeah, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to showing you guys because even if you don’t live in the area at some point you’ve probably frequented Richmond. You know it’s a very very well-known cycling spot. So, you’ve probably been there or are going to go there. And if you do, you need to go to this place cuz it is exceptional. It’s really, really good. Actually, I’ve just seen a little bit of sun come out. So, this is good. This is a good sign. This is a good sign. Right. If you’re new to the channel, please like, comment, and subscribe. If you’re an existing viewer, please like, comment, and share. Don’t forget to hype as well. Sorry, I know it’s annoying, but I have to say it. Really, really helps small channels. And come and join us as we do a little local loop. I’m not sure exactly where we’re going to go yet, but we just need to get those legs moving and burn enough calories off so we can go to this cafe and justify what we’re going to eat and drink. Um, yeah. So, come along, join the ride, and I’ll catch up with you very, very shortly in a bit. Heat. Heat. Wow. Wow. Hello, Mike. How you doing? Good. You? Yeah. Good. You’ve just got back from IB. Yeah. LeBlanc. Yeah. Tell me how tell me about it. Should we set you have a little seat? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, just explain to everyone. Is that really wet? It’s a bit wet. We’ll be all right. We’ll be all right. We can deal with it. We’re big boys, aren’t we? Explain a little bit about what you’ve just done and what it is. Uh, so no pressure. I did the Leblanc Joy Ride Festival. Okay. Uh, so it’s like the end of the season, go to a bea, and they host this big event where there’s loads of talent that turns up. Um, is that was that apart from you or was that? It’s like Peter Sagan. Um, Alisa Longer Borgghini was meant to be there but she was sick. Um, so Zoe Backstead came. Uh, Adam Bllythe, Ola Chennoy, Matt Stevens, Daniel O, Puck Moon. Um, I saw a picture of you and Puck. Yeah. Yeah, she’s super cool. Yeah. Um, yeah, just like loads of different people that you see in and around cycling. And then in addition to that, you’ve got like DJs and good music as well. So, we had uh Andy Kato, Groovada. Um, I’m sure I’m sure the subs will know. Uh, Pete Tong. That’s cool. As well. So yeah, you do like riding during the day, have amazing meals for dinner, um, and then yeah, like party at night. Wicked. I was I was kind of thinking, does does it go hand in hand? Obviously, I’m I’m getting on a little bit, but does you know, like when you’ve done a long ride and then you’ve had dinner. Yeah. So I think you can’t think of it like a normal cycling holiday, right? You’re not going out and battering yourself for like 100 miles a day refueling and then doing it again. Like it’s much more about that sort of like hedonistic approach to things. So like you’re there for a good time, right? Yeah. Yeah. So it’s, you know, not as long a ride, but it’s still like picturesque. It’s pretty. If you want to go long and hard, then then they’ll sort that out for you. But you’re probably not going to be partying that night. Partying maybe a little bit less. Well, I mean, some people still do, right? Yeah, that’s true. That’s true. If you’re hardcore, maybe in my 20s and 30s, I probably wouldn’t be able to do it a little bit easier, but I try I try. So, uh, so for instance, first day is 30k ride for everyone. Just, you know, make sure the bikes work, everything works. And then second day we did 80k, uh, rolling hills. Third day is 80k, and then if you want to ride on the last day, then you can get up and do a 30k cafe ride again. So like like loads of different options, different speeds and abilities. Yeah, it’s cool. It’s cool. And what are the roads like in Iba? Cuz cuz you don’t when when you think of Iba, you don’t necessarily think of it as a cycling destination, do you? Yeah. So we’re on the east coast uh as opposed to the the party side. Yeah. Yeah. Um I say the roads are really good. uh a week before we went there were loads of storms. So, there was quite a lot of gravel out on the road and then some roads that had um collapsed and some flooding and stuff. So, um we’re lucky with the weather, but I guess you get a bit of the sort of aftermath of, you know, storms and stuff which you can’t really help, can you? No, it’s one of those things. So, so you would recommend it in terms of just getting away, getting a little bit of mileage, but also a bit of downtime, relaxing, a little bit of partying. basically. Yeah. So, it’s chilled partying, right? It’s not like it’s chilled. Yeah. No, it’s not not getting on the You can I’m sure you can. Um I I would say that it’s a great way to end out the season. Okay. That’s which is why you do it. You’ve done it for three years in a row, haven’t you? Uh two. Yeah. Two years. Oh, two years. Two years. Um so, it’s really good fun. Like, I think I haven’t found any other companies that bring together that amount of like cycling talent, the amazing food, and the music into one one space. Yeah. There’s not there’s Yeah. You don’t really hear of it, do you? Yeah. And there’s there’s like the cycling theme to it, but it’s not it’s not just the cycling holiday, right? Okay. So, Yeah. And and you’re you’re a ride leader on these Lebon uh rides, aren’t you? Yeah. Yeah. Uh what group were you leading, Mike? This is what I want to know. Was it Were you was it like chilled? Was it amateur? Yeah. So I do or I did the blue blue group. So it’s like skiing. So there’s uh black, red, blue, green. Okay. Okay. That’s cool. Um so like the blue groups slightly slower, slightly less mileage, but like I said, I’m there for a good time, not a long time. Right. So exactly. Yeah, that’s good. Chill out, have lots of good good conversations. Good wine. Yeah, good wine. No no no rushing around. Yeah, brilliant. It’s nice. Brilliant. Yeah. So, we haven’t ridden for for a little while. I’m taking you to Well, when I say I’m taking you, obviously I’m not paying. What? That’s not what you said. But we’re going to this amazing bakery which is right on our doorstep that I’d never heard of until last week. I was taken there last week and it was literally It’s amazing. I’m excited. Why are we still here? Can we Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We will. So, I just wanted to I just wanted to show the viewers if you can film me quickly. Am I looking like I’m about to like storm an embassy? I’m kind of going for that kind of stealth look. Everything’s quite spelt and dark. Or is it more less James Bond, more James Bond? James Bond. Well, I mean, you’re wearing white shoes and a white lid, so you still got your uh your your touch of essics. Yeah, that exactly. And also, if it gets dark, you know, I’m visible, aren’t I? Yeah. But that’s not a good day. That’s not stealth, is it? No. No. Good point. Right. Should we get going? Yeah. In a bit. I think we drive me crazy. Can’t get away. Oh my feeling. Can’t get away. Drive me crazy. Can’t get away. Drive me crazy. Can’t get away. Drive me crazy. Can’t get away. So, it’s a beautiful autoutminal day and we’ve come out of Richmond Park gate. Richmond Park. Got to the top of Richmond Hill. We had to stop. You’ve probably seen some of the footage in the B-roll, but have a have a little look at this. Beautiful views. Yeah, great place to take pictures. Just a good place to stop in general. And this time of year, it just looks stunning. You actually see Twickham Stadium over that way, but not on this. I can’t zoom in on this, unfortunately. Also, what I was going to say as well is I’ve been eating these, right? This isn’t an endorsement. It’s not like promotion. I’ve been contacted by Haribo, but these are Haribo jelly, not Bassives jelly babies. Haribo jelly babies and they’re far superior. They’re smaller and you don’t get powder all over your hands because that’s a nightmare. You got jelly if you’ve ridden with jelly babies, but every time you grab one, you got powder all over the place. It goes all over the bike and it’s a nightmare. These are smaller and they give you amazing boost of energy. So, I highly recommend it. Gets you out of trouble. Bit like a Coke. If you’re in trouble and you’re bonking and you’re in need, just have a can of Coke. Stop off anywhere, get a can of Coke, and it’ll get you out of trouble. It’s the same with these. So, I have a couple every sort of half hour or so, and it just gives you that little bit of sugar boost. Obviously, you can use gels and stuff like that, but I kind of prefer these. I just cut the top off, whack it in the back pocket, and it’s they’re attainable, right? So, it’s a bit of a stop start today, so we’re just going to Yeah. stay local and then a few more kilometers in the legs and then we’re off to we’re off to the Swiss cafe. Mike’s very excited, but we got to burn a few more calories yet. So, see you in a bit. I love feel. I love you. Okay. That was exceptional. So good. So good. You have to go. We’re going to ask Mike what he thinks. Right. What are you saying? Yeah, food was excellent. It was really good. I might have eaten too much. Yeah, you did. You did order quite a bit, didn’t you? What was your favorite? I think the dessert dessert was the favorite. Plum pie. Very good. Very good. Very nice. So, do you think you’ll come here again? Would you recommend it? Uh yeah, definitely. I definitely come again. I know you’ve been to a lot of cafes. Where does it rate? Where does it rate? Because I think it’s right up there for me. And the customer service is brilliant as well. Yeah, customer service is up to Yeah, it’s pretty up there. Definitely. You can include it on your on your group rides. Top five. Yeah, I’m going to share this with anyone. Yeah, just the subs. Just the subs. Yeah, honestly guys, if you’re in Richmond, in and around Richmond, but if you live around the area or you’re coming to Richmond Park just for a little, you know, a few laps, definitely hit the Swiss Bread Cafe Bakery. Hit it up cuz it’s good. It’s in a random area. Feels like there’s a lot of brutalist ‘ 70s architect 60s architecture going on, but it is exceptional. We need to burn some of this food off now. So, we’re going to get back on the bikes. Few laps around the park. Just let the food go down a little bit. Yeah. doing laps, mate. They won’t do themselves. Oh, it hit it. All the best, Viky. I will see you um soon. We’ll get out maybe next week to this drive. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That’s good. Cool. Another good one on Saturday as well. Past week. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Ended where we begun. It’s been a really good ride out today. Just local roads around Richmond Park, couple of laps and then that beautiful cafe, a beautiful Swiss red cafe. Um, highly recommend it. It’s so good. So good. It’s just peaceful now. I don’t know how much longer we’ve got left with this weather as well. So, I’m just trying to get a bit of vitamin D on the face. And what I do notice as well is the and I’m sure you guys do, right? The the roads the road the UK roads are deteriorating and it’s funny cuz obviously Mike’s been in IBO and even with like the downpours there, the rain and stuff, the the roads were still they absorb it and they’re still smooth and stuff. So he says like when you come back you you realize how bad some of the UK roads are. Do you ever go over a bump and then swear at yourself cuz it’s bigger than you thought it was? Like a little pothole and and you hear the bike rattle and you’re like, “Oh god, has that done any damage?” And then you swear to yourself, you’re like, cuz I do. Maybe I’m the only one. Yeah, it’s been really good. It’s nice. I think I’m going to probably get about 65 70k out. So, that’s not actually too bad today considering we haven’t we’ve covered quite a small area. But again, it’s nice to do that and then discovering new places. The cafe ham house, that sort of area down. But it’s such a weird area as well. You’ve got like multi-million pound houses and then you’ve got this like concrete housing estate that was I’m assuming like a little bit social, a little bit private when when they first built it. But um yeah, really unusual, but it works, right? And and having a gem like that on your doorstep, how lucky is that? Like finding places like that, you’re like, “Wow.” The lady that runs it is really lovely as well, really helpful. And yeah, right guys, I think I’m done for today. I’m going to sign out in the park cuz bit more picturesque than my house. Um, thanks for watching as always. Thanks for all the love on the last video as well. Really really appreciate that genuinely. Everyone that commented, thank you. Um, if you can like, comment, and subscribe and give a little hype that would be great. Sorry to keep going on, but I have to do it. It’s part of the part of the game in it. Um, and I’ll see you on the next one for the next adventure. Not sure where it is or where it will be, but it’ll be a good one. Right. See you guys very soon. Bye.