Paul’s seaside cottage in Broadstairs (venue of several cycle rides) is on the market. Paul, Matt, and myself felt it was appropriate to get one last ride in before the cottage sold. Arguably October the 17th is too late in the season – high risk of rain, but actually the weather was fantastic.

What was less fantastic was the the back tyre of my Brompton. I had failed to notice the wear the tyre walls were showing and I got a puncture. Only those who have taken the rear wheel off a Brompton know how hard that actually is, and we had to follow YouTube instructions on Paul’s iPhone.

What happened next was a disaster. After reports from Matt of the back tyre looking a little flat I overinflated it. What I did not notice was that the weakened tyre walls were bulging enough to rub against the brake blocks, and whilst I was wondering what the squeaking was the back tyre exploded and I ground to a halt.

Luckily we were in Whitstable and I was able to get a new tyre and inner tube from the bike shop. As a bonus Paul found out that he could get his Evans resprayed and they would be able to add new decals matching the originals – hence his big smile.

The two events had severely put us behind schedule (also we had a late start) and so as dusk was approaching without lights we had to catch the train back to Broadstairs for fish supper and beer.