An overcast day for our bike ride today but still warm enough for shorts. I led Mike around outskirts of Maidstone via Mote Park where he stopped to talk to every dog! Then up to Detling where we stopped at the wonderful Community Store. We sat outside for coffee where Mike had a huge bun and I had a brilliant locally produced sausage roll. All credit to the villagers who set this up in Detling after their previous store and post office closed a few years ago. The store has done so well they are finalists in the National Rural Business Awards for 2020/21.
We then headed along the Pilgrims Way hoping for a quiet road but due to road closures elsewhere we were plagued by lorries and vans trying to get through, Not once did I see a pilgrim! However, we did stop to chat to Peter outside his house. He is Sue’s tennis partner but at present is recovering from a nasty bike crash some time ago. Why do people in their 70s do these crazy sports!
Soon after I had one of my pedal cleats break which cyclists will know affects balance, however I was determined to get back to Brenchley with Mike. As we were heading back near Kingswood I said to Mike that I was going to say goodbye and head off to the bike shop to see if I could get new cleats fitted. A few minutes later Mike had a rear wheel puncture. As an ex- mechanic he of course rarely maintains his lovely electric assist bike so we had a job re-assembling an unusual washer system around the motor hub. After several tries we called for help and Sue turned up and took Mike and bike home whilst I was off to the bike shop. As usual they were hideously busy but soon replaced my cleats there and then. What a brilliant team at Senacre Cycles.
Apart from that the Chancellor announced that we are all going to be poor for years to come and Covid is increasing still in Kent. Nationally, it was the highest recorded deaths from Covid since early May. Tomorrow we hear what Tier we go in, I will be surprised if it’s not Tier 3. So a day out like today is wonderful, good companionship, fresh air and fun.
