Had a word with the Paragons about teaming up but they didn't really have any plans or strategy, unless they didn't want me in so I rode my own race.
It was nice and hot today and I, was sweating alot more than the 5 day, the speed was ok not to fast and was easily manageable.
I made sure I positioned myself right up in the to 5 or 10 to stay out of trouble and to keep an eye on what was happening at the front of the race.
With so many teams today I really thought one of the teams would try and dictate or organise themselves but not really, just AgisKo and norwood Paragon were up there on mass.
A couple of early attempts at breaks went off the front but nothing stuck. I was feeling good and fancied early on to see if I could get away, knowing that If I did and others joined we could stay away or if it didn't work I'd still have loads of time in the race to recover.
So on about the 3rd lap off I went accelerating on the outside from 6 or 7 back and really giving it wellie.
I soon shot off ahead on my own and flew round the far corner and away with speed, I kept going and had 200m and wondered if anyone else wanted to come too.
After a while my gears started making all sorts of strange noises and every time i changed gear the chain was cluncking and dancing over the cassette.
With this little problem I eased off and the group caught up, then just as we were turning left towards Dunsfold my gears wouldn't change at all:o
I thought the cable clamp bolt had come loose so stuck my hand up and freewheeled over to a marshal and got an allen key, I thought if I could tighten it quick I would be able to get back on.
On inspection this was tight and then I noticed the rear gear cable had snapped and had pulled through.
I coiled this up and and realised the race was well up the road by now
Now still with 6 laps to go, I'm not one to quit so bit the bullet and shot off on my new fixed bike. I was stuck in 11 on the rear cassette and could change between 39 or 53 on the front so I was riding for a finish.
I could cruise along quite quickly but it was one hell of a long way alone, must have been nearly 45 miles.
I was determined to finish and get a ride for the 3rd day so cracked on, caught up with 3 or 4 riders who had been shelled out, even after some encouragement by me they just wanted to quit, or couldn't stay with my wheel
just about to finish my penultimate lap when I heard the marshals car and a lone breakaway rider from Sigma sport who had about a 45 second lead with a couple of miles to go.
I gave him a push and some encouragement as he came by, and he just held them off to the finish line, as I was lapped right at the end I didn't have to do another lap and struggled up the finishing hill in top gear.
Oh well that was a bit of a disappointment with a mechanical after yesterdays result, but at least I still in and can still go for the stage wins tomorrow
Looks like I'll be off right at the start of the TT tomorrow so loads more recovery time than the others ready for the days road race.
