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Day 6 - Romans Sur Isere to Nyons

Day 6 saw the team leaving the less than salubrious Hotel Cendrillon in Romans Sur Isere and head out on masse for the 75 mile/120 km ride to Nyons. The road south towards the town of Crest was fairly straight with mountain ranges flanking either side and the team rode as a peleton, or plectrum as one of our riders called it! This efficient method of riding saw an impressive tempo maintained with the halfway point of the day reached and passed with unexpected haste. A steady long climb which saw Chris, Adam and Mike R show their climbing prowess was followed by a short steep descent, the conclusion of which was marked by the ever popular site of the Quest van with a fine luncheon spread out back.

The forward party of the support group fed back that 10km ahead a fine village was to be found and the group decided that given the progress made, a stop for a ‘grand crème’ or two would be in order.

Rob, Matt L, Mike and Pete saw this as an opportunity to stretch their legs and the following 10km was dispatched in fine style as Rob led a high speed charge reminiscent of Lance Armstrong in his pomp (well a ginger version!). The lead group was followed by a steady stream of happy cyclists until the arrival of the unlucky Rob Haynes. On route Robs gaping race jersey had attracted the attention of an inquisitive wasp that prior to endeavouring to escape felt it should leave Rob a momento and did so in the form of two stings – ouch.

With a mere 30km to ride team Bruntwood set off towards our final destination, easy peasy – or rather it wasn’t. The road immediately set about zig zagging its way up a mountain side, suddenly Matt S regretted his cheeky glass of rose, while the remainder questioned why they’d signed up for such a masochistic challenge. This was followed by a thrilling descent however our relief was short lived as a couple more short sharp climbs delivered us into the mouth of a gusting headwind which allied to temperatures hitting 30 degrees made the last 10km a true test of grit.

Thankfully, the delightful town of Nyons and its superb Pizza van allowed the riders to finish the day with grins however tortured they may have been.