BIKE FAIL!! 😫 But I’ve Got A Ferry To Catch!

Day 18. 64km 84117kms 8yrs)

After a cosy sleep in the guest house we set out into a cold foggy morning. Again following the Eurovelo, our journey began on paths beside marshes on the riverside. At low tide little green mounds in the foreground was all we could see through the fog. Being a Sunday the path was busy with runners and dog walkers, so along with all the barriers to keep out motorised vehicles, it was slow going. When I missed a turn accidentally delivering us onto the main road, we began making much better progress towards Canterbury.

During a stop for coffee the sun finally broke through the fog and began warming my chilly fingers. And on the outskirts of Canterbury Muriel treated us to a pint and a roast at a warm carvery pub. What a star! His company this weekend has made leaving my family behind bearable.

Photos and hugs outside the cathedral done, we departed in seperate directions; Muriel back to London and work – for now- and me towards Dover, and adventure. Unfortunately I got a little too much adventure a little too soon when my pedal fell off!! There’d been an alarming rasping noise once yesterday, so now at least I know what that was. The bike shop had tightened the pedals, I suppose too much.

So how to proceed? I have a ferry to catch from Dover 20kms away tomorrow. I pressed on to get as close to Dover as possible before sunset. There was an unfortunate amount of climbing to be done, but I managed it by working to keep on the pedal with my left foot while pushing mostly with my right.

In last of the light and 15 mostly flat and downhill kms from Dover, I found some forest to pitch my tent for the first time this year. The temperature dropped rapidly once the light faded so I quickly gobbled down leftover Chinese food before snuggling up into my sleeping bags.

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#cycling #canterbury #bikemaintenance