Last whizz out today for this year on the Fazer. We decided to visit the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel le Ferne near Folkestone. After gassing up at the Shell garage next to the Oakdene cafe, it was off down 7 Mile Lane and southwards on Kents finest A and B roads. All went well until, whilst negotiating a large roundabout above the bottom section of the M20, we lost our tailend Charlie, as a column of trucks had obscured our exit onto the M20.
The series of roundabouts on the outskirts of Folkestone always seem to cause navigating problems, and today was no exception. It was now my turn to get "lost". The day was morphing into a typical LOFO day out
. With the aid of the Garmin and several farm track excursions, I made it to the Memorial. On checking my phone I learnt the others had been and gone, which was understandable due to the time I'd taken being lost. The next stop was Mickeys Rock Cafe at Detling. I couldn't be bothered to sort out a decent route to get there, so just M20'd it up to Maidstone.
I'd just finished my bacon buttie when they rocked up, and I was gutted to learn I'd missed out on a final whizz through the Chilham Bends for this year. On the way home I brimmed the tank with 99 octane, plus a dose of Sta-Bil, which should see the Fazer through her hibernation over the next few months. I've got a few cosmetic jobs I'd like to get done over the winter, and then, after a service and a new back tyre, hopefully do it all over again next year. Maybe even getting in a trip abroad, which I sorely missed this year. The rear Roadtec 01 gave me 5,989 miles of safe and reliable fun, and will replace it with the later SE version, ready for next year. The 193 miles done today, certainly committed it to the knackers yard.