(Last Sunday).
Owing to my recent ULEZ certificate grief, I forgot to post on last Sunday's Whitstable Egg Run. Not wishing to repeat last Sunday's error, I left home duly togged up in my winter gear including heated gloves. The plan was to head south to Rye, hardly on the way to Whitstable I know, but wanted to try out Beryl's breakfast at the Farm Shop cafe, just outside Rye on the way to Brenzett. It's quite a small cafe, and maybe better visited in the week, as several tables were reserved, no doubt for Beryls reknowned Sunday dinner.
Having left home a little later than intended, and Beryl's service being a tad on the slow side, it meant I arrived at the Whitstable rendezvous carpark, just as the bikes were starting to leave.
This wasn't a major problem as I hadn't intended to follow the run to Canterbury, as found it a bit of a chore in the past, due to the traffic laden route it takes. As the tailend Charlie ended the roadblock, protecting the bikes as they left the carpark, I made my way to Herne Bay for a coffee and a sit in the sun. Like most bike gatherings, there's nearly always something unusual there, and Sunday was no exception. Got talking to a guy with a "customised" NSU Quickly. For those unfamiliar with these, it's a 50cc pedal assisted moped( like a 1950/60's FS1E), with a 2 speed gearbox operated by the left handlebar like a Lambretta/Vespa. My first go on a motorbike of any description, was on one of these aged about 14. As is the way, it drew far more attention than a really well street fightered GSXR1000, which normally would have been the talking point.
Like all good things, they come to an end, and it was time to saddle up and head for home. However my usual B road route around Headcorn was closed due to roadworks, so had to make up my own diversion to Tenterden when I was back on familiar roads. The old Speedie did itself proud, with exactly 222.2 miles recorded on the trip, and all on one tank of petrol. Mind you, it is a big tank