Wednesday, July 9, 2014

A Day to Forget

I can't say that I enjoyed today's fifth stage very much. You're probably expecting me to say that the cobblestones were horrible, but I actually suffered the most from the weather and the normal roads. All day was rain and cold. I was cold from the start of the stage and never warmed up. Even when I was fighting to try and help my team (which I never did!) I was cold. And when I wasn't trying to get to the front and help, I was crashing, 3 times! The first one I was directly behind Chris Froome when he got his wheels in a crack in the road that immediately sent him sliding and his bike skidding down the road in front of me. In trying to avoid it I was sent into a pole or something that was thankfully padded. That sent me catapulting from my bike and thankfully only to the ground and not into anything else. I remounted and chased for awhile by myself but was quickly losing ground on the roaring peloton. Luckily Froome's team came back to help him and I was able to hop on that train. I reintegrated the peloton and was slowly battling my way toward the front when Greipel slid out a little ways in front of me. I nearly avoided it, but as I steered to avoid it I got my rear wheel hooked on a lip in the pavement and it sent me sliding. And lastly as I was chasing in a small group, a rider from FDJ led us into a roundabout and went sliding with me on his wheel. I nearly avoided it, but I too ultimately suffered the same fate. Three crashes complete and I was never going to make it back to the field with only 10km to the first cobble section. The rest of the day I just survived. The cobbles honestly weren't that bad! Maybe racing full gas on them would make it worse, but I didn't feel horribly uncomfortable. (I'm not saying I have any interest in Paris Roubaix though!) All things considered, this was a day I want to forget, but I'm certain I will be feeling reminders of it for next couple days. It's time for me to rest a bit. Good night.

Some of the battle wounds...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The true test of a great warrior is not how many times he fall, it's how many times he rise and continue fighting on. You have exceedingly passed it. Now heal up and go on. See you in Paris.....

Anonymous said...

Rest up and good luck tomorrow. Thanks for the updates.

Anonymous said...

My feelings are mixed on a day like this being in the Tour, but I admire the heart and guts you showed. Hope for better feelings soon and success up the road on the way to Paris.

Anonymous said...

Cheering for you from Chattanooga!!! Sorry to hear about the "rough" day! "The sun will (hopefully) come out tomorrow....Tomorrow, Tomorrow, you're only a day away!" :)

Unknown said...

glad you kept getting back up and glad you're okay the rest of the tour will be better! Not without a fight!

Unknown said...

You guys all made for some great television today! Everyone was talking about today's crazy stage!! Way to represent.... Stay strong & continue the fight!

Anonymous said...

Keep pumpin buddy

Scott K said...

Watched you tag onto the Fromme train, glad none of the falls were any worse. One day at a time. Hang tough, we are cheering you on!