J14 – 12/31/2005

Serge arrived at 8H10, following a 30 minute car ride, at his departure point: Moyemont, a village 8Km from Rambervilliers on the D32.  Icy rain was predicted but did not materialize because the temperature was 6°C. The rise in temperature was a blessing but we had heavy rain from the start.  Vehicles had trouble slowing down when they passed Serge and he was entitled to a shower every time one of these speed demons went by.  Surprisingly, for a Saturday, trucks seemed to be authorized and there were many along our road.

Serge went over two passes: the Chipotte (438m) and the Donon (732m). He reached the 1000Km mark on this stage, while climbing the Donon col, in exactly 13 days 3 hours 59 minutes and 46 seconds: i.e., at 15H59’46” this Saturday afternoon.  This is good progress.  At the rate of 76Km per day, Serge is satisfied and will certainly allow himself a somewhat shorter stage on Sunday, the first day of the new year.

The New Year’s Eve celebration was toasted with a beer and a small glass of red wine for Serge.  At 21H00 he was in bed.  My mother, Annie, celebrated her 66th birthday and we shared a bottle of Champagne which my brother gave us on the day of our departure.