Despite having an amazing day watching the I still can’t help feeling gutted and disappointed for Mark Cavendish and Team GB.
Sarah and I left Stratford early and cycled to Box Hill to catch the 9 laps of the Road cycling. We didn’t cycle the entire way, we cheated used the train from New Cross Gate to Redhill.
From Redill we managed to cycle to the foot of Box hill, park the cycles and scramble up the steep paths to the road at the top. It was a stunning day and I was pretty knackered and we were walking only walking. I have no idea how they did it 9 times on cycles.
The support at the top was fantastic. A small stretch of the road was ticket but most was open to the public. Large crowds formed all the road side, Union flags were everywhere and it felt like a huge road party.
Apparently the flag is officially only a Union Jack when its attached to the Jack flag pole on the ship! Other wise it’s a Union Flag.
Team GB looked so strong at the head of the main peloton. Their matching white hats, blue gear and position at the head making them look so strong.
Just outside Redhill station there is a road called Cavendish road and I couldn’t resist taking a photo. Possible the closest I will ever get to Cavendish on a cycle!
We were so close to the action you could clearly see the riders. For this video I was actually too close and very nearly got in someone’s way. Think I was looking at the amazing equipment too much! Ps sorry for my language.
Having seen 9 laps at Box Hill we ran down the paths, picked up our bikes an headed to the big screens at Dorking.
Having seen how strong Team GB were, I honestly couldn’t believe they wouldn’t win. But the more we watched the more it became clear that it was too big an ask even with the heroic efforts of Wiggins, Froome, Millar and Stannard. They were just too far back and could not get Cavendish where he needed to be.
Following such a great day and opening ceremony the night before, I left feeling very proud but dejected.
Reading the articles today it seems other teams were riding defensively and maybe Team GB were a victim of their own success. Which makes me feel even more disappointed for them and Cav.