Day 8 Bearsted – Dover

Rather than accepting an inferior, annoying fix for my top-tube bag, I donated it to the nice cleaning lady. I tightened my chain, & refuelled with a 1st & 2nd breakfast before riding off into the baking heat. People were already searching for shade, & it was only 9am!!

For the early part of today I rode the North Downs Way. A fair mix of surfaces, nice views, plenty of shade & very few people.

Along the way I met Colin Barton, out for an off-road blast. We soon discovered a common interest in multi day cycling – for hm it’s Europe. Still in his 50’s, he has many adventure ahead of him. I think he will be following from here on.

My second lunch was in the beautiful, medieval Kent village of Lenham.

At Hythe I hit the coast. With only 11miles to my Dover B&B, I had a nice tailwind & cooling temperatures – for 6miles it was peddling luxury!

All changed after Folkestone – 1st a tortuous road climb before a serious off road bike drag which continued for 0.5mls!!

I started on up, but turned around following advice from a holiday maker who claimed it was impossible. However, unable to find an alternative, I attacked this near vertical track again hard & I needed to – I have the cuts & stings to prove it. But once done, I picked up the road down to Dover.