ELSR Blog – Cambridge Cycling Stories, News & Rider Adventures

Debden Antiques Cafe closing

Announcement

Ben Freeman

24 Dec 2025

Another one going!

From their Facebook page:

‘Customer Information’ Tomorrow Elder Street reaches yet another milestone as we reach our 13th Birthday 🍾 However it does also bring with it news of the end of an era. Towards the end of last year we decided that after what will have been a hugely successful 13 1/2 years - 2025 would be the last year of Elder Street. It’s not been an easy decision but we feel the need for a new challenge - although we don’t have anything set in stone moving forward into 2026, we have a few exciting options in the pipeline - we will keep you updated.

Initially we intend to take a well earned extended rest to spend time with our family.

We want to thank all our loyal customers for their support over the years, we have many fond memories from our time at Elder Street and hopefully you will all have your own special memories of Elder Street. We have enjoyed being at the heart of the local community and hopefully we have made a positive contribution.

Lastly thank you to the Tetlow family for giving Elder Street a home for the last 10 years, our fantastic suppliers and all staff past and present without you our successes would not have been possible.

Our last day will be the 24th December, we look forward to seeing you all over the next 6 months. Anna, Aga & Gregg x PS.

ELSR Xmas ride

Announcement

Ben Freeman

20 Dec 2025

The annual Xmas ride to The Tickell Arms in Whittlesford is scheduled for the 20th December.

All groups will meet there for bacon baps etc after their ride.

ELSR now runs on Docker

Announcement

Ben Freeman

16 Dec 2025

ELSR now runs on Docker! In an effort to make the site easier to deploy and manage, the original site, which ran directly on Ubuntu, has been converted to now run in three containers: Postgreql, Nginx and a Python Flask webserver. Hopefully, I've not broken too much with the migration....

For more info: see here

2025 Xmas Party

Announcement

Ben Freeman

06 Dec 2025

We are delighted to announce that bookings are open for the ELSR Xmas Party.

This promises, as always, to be the premier event of the festive calendar, offering gourmet experiences within the generous limits of our luncheon vouchers.

Dress code: Top hats for gentlemen, full ball gowns for ladies. Tiaras optional — this is, after all, a relaxed affair.

Date: Saturday 6th December, Location: Top Secret

Please contact Anna on the WA group to secure your place.

Another cafe closing: Maglia Rosso

Announcement

Ben Freeman

13 Nov 2025

From their FB page:

The end of an era!

We regret having to announce that the Maglia Rosso Cycle Shop and Café will close permanently on Tuesday December 23rd 2025 and will not re-open in the New Year.

After eleven years of trading we are facing ever increasing costs of goods, overheads and employment at the same time as radically reduced demand which is affecting the cycle trade across the country as well as the inexorable rise in on-line purchasing which is changing the face of retail in all sectors.

In the meantime we have significant stock that we need to sell, and are therefore offering huge discounts on our remaining stock of bikes, clothing and accessories.

Our Glamping Cabins business will continue to trade and hopefully expand its operation in due course.

We thank all of our customers past and present and likewise our staff for their good work.

~ Barry and Matt Denny 13-11-2025

Bike tools at Bean Theory

Announcement

Ben Freeman

11 Nov 2025

Bean Theory has invested in a pump and bike tool stand, round the back of the cafe!

Olivers cafe closed

Announcement

Ben Freeman

07 Nov 2025

From their FB page, sad news from one of the few NW cafes in our area....

After 29 wonderful years, it’s time to hang up the apron and turn off the coffee machine for the last time. Running Olivers has been such a huge part of my life – and it’s all thanks to you, our amazing customers, who’ve supported us through every step of the way.

We’ve shared countless conversations, laughs, cups of coffee, and I’ll always treasure the friendships and community spirit that grew within these four walls.

I also want to say a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful team who have worked alongside me over the years. Your hard work made the café what it was – I couldn’t have done it without you.

As the doors close, I’m excited for the next chapter – spending more time with my family, seeing the world a little more, and maybe finally learning how to relax! I will carry with me the memories of this special place and the people who made it what it was.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being part of the past 29 years.

Lollywood cafe closing for refurb

Announcement

Ben Freeman

18 Oct 2025

See image, they appear to be closing for the winter, unclear if they plan to re-open.

From their FB page:

Very sad to be closing, but please keep in touch and hopefully we’ll be reopening in the Spring. Thank you everyone for your custom and loyalty. x

ELSR is now powered by PostgreSQL

Announcement

Ben Freeman

24 Nov 2024

The website now runs on PostreSQL!

After a fairly painful few hours migrating everything, elsr.co.uk no longer uses SQLite and now runs on PostgreSQL.

The db is also now seperated from the main Python code and runs in its own Docker container (with persistent volume).

https://www.postgresql.org/

Ben

New Team Kit

Announcement

Ben Freeman

29 Sep 2024

We have brand new Team Kit from Bioracer available now!

Details are on the Team kit page.

Order deadline is Sunday 20th October!

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