100 Cols Day 6 Montbrison to Brioude

After nursing a head cold for nearly a week I woke with a sore throat and feeling very tired and decided to take a day in the truck, rather than risk getting worse and possibly having to abandon the trip. Tim travelled with Ype and I in the lunch truck as far as the lunch stop and then cycled on to Brioude. The weather today was overcast and pretty miserable. Most of the riders said that the course was relatively easy with a couple of tough hills toward the finish. Croix de l’Homme Mort (hill of the cross of the dead man) was the first and most difficult section of the ride with an elevation gain of around 800 m over 18kms. The course included Col du Pradeaux Cote du Procureur and Cote de Jaladif. Lunch at the 55 km mark was a welcome site at the bottom of the valley and many of the riders arrived to lunch at between 1030 and 11130. So it was a short day.
Tonight's meal was a Sunday special by the crew in the kitchen and everyone enjoyed an entrée of local blue vein cheese, salad and lentils grown in the area. This was followed by a great serve of bbq local beouf and grilled veges including courgette.
Bike racing was held here in the town tonight and several of the group rode in to check out the action. This is a great campsite with fast WiFi and a bar!
Tomorrow is a rest day with most of the group going in to Brioude to have a look at the town. Garmin link here (recorded from truck)

100 Cols Stage 6

campsite Montbrison

in the truck with Ype and Tim

lunch stop

lunch stop

Jakob

Jaap and Anneke prepare the entree