Blog - James McCallum reports on Stage 1
From Bad to worse
So day 2 in the tob started well and on the face of it seemed to be a pretty simple stage with 2 smallish 3rd cat climbs and a nice simple run in for the last few kms....easy right??
Mmmmm not quite, first problem stemmed from a random Mrs cow that had manage to have her mid afternoon stroll down it's usual road disturbed by the biggest race in Britain. As we took the fast right hander I could hear the sound of tyres squealing and the ever familiar scent of brake blocks on carbon wheel (similar to having the clutch of your car burn out). There she was just standing minding her own business and here we come to ruin her day. I have to say she did take it very well, not a kick or a snort to be heard.
Once we negotiated that and good old T-mobile had decided to ease off the Gas, status quo was back.
Then with about 6 kms to go we took a fast turn on to the main run in. Having safely made it around the corner we started top wind up in the hope of setting some team work up for the finale.
Then my good old mate bad luck reared his ugly head again.
SMASH!!!
I had just ridden straight thru the biggest hole in the road and I do mean straight thru it. For a good 300 meters I couldn't feel my hands I hit so hard. Thanks to the impact my front wheel flatted and I had to ride on it until the team car arrived with a spare.
Just as I was making contact with the race again thanks to a quick change I looked up and I seen what can only be described as what look like the whole bunch had been taken out by snipers and there was a massive pile up. Bodies and bike were everywhere.
For me that was it, I'd had enough, so I decided I was just going to roll in to the finish and stop fighting fate for another day.
Roll on tomorrow. Bring it on bad luck!!!!
Jimmy mac
James McCallum
Plowman Craven Evans Cycles Team