Posts from — July 2021

With almost 21.7K cases today, Florida’s incompetent ungovernor is using the power of his office to block as many measures that have been found helpful that he can think of because he wants to run for reelection next year and the Presidency in 2024 as a Trump clone. School districts in Florida are bared from imposing mask mandates, saying that only parents can mandate masks for their children. He is blocking local governments from doing anything helpful to relieve pressure on our hospital system.

A glance at the COVID-19 Tracker on ABC (US) News shows you that Florida is the destination for sunburn and the Delta variant. If you die here on vacation you won’t be added to Florida’s numbers. You have be a citizen to vote or be recognized by the state health department.

I keep hearing people saying that the vaccines arrived too quickly. Here’s a chart showing that people have been working on messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for 5 decades:

In China in 2002 there was an outbreak of a Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by a corona virus. It was labeled SARS-CoV. While more deadly than the Covid-19 virus (SARS-COV-2) it was no where near as contagious and disappeared by 2004. Medical authorities began working on vaccines. Because of the threats by disease to the military, in 2010 the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funded mRNA research at Moderna.

When China made public the genome sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Moderna and BioNTech were ready to plug it into their individual mRNA carriers and create their Covid-19 vaccinations. Because the mRNA vaccines don’t require the extended production times of traditional virus manufacture, Moderna & Pfizer/BioNTech were able to begin trials very rapidly. After completing the three trails and presenting the data for review at various national health agencies their vaccines were given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). During the approval process both began manufacturing their vaccines to be ready to ship as soon as they received approval. Traditionally companies don’t begin manufacturing until after they receive approval, and they apply for full permits which take much longer than EUAs.

The gullible fools in Florida who believe their individual “freedom” to make bad decisions is more important that other people should move away from society and die without bothering or infecting people who want the vaccine but can’t get it because of their age or medical condition. You have to surrender some perceived “rights” to enjoy the benefits of society. You can’t have it both ways.

At 7AM some morning I rolled out of bed to do an update on Tropical Storm Elsa and the little office machine wouldn’t turn on. So I went out to the living room and the big machine had forgotten it was a computer, so I dusted off the Toshiba laptop that was still a Win 7 box because it didn’t have the power for Win 10.

I went back to the office machine and extracted the data disk, which was hotter than hell and stuck it into my stand-alone USB disk port and managed to retrieve the files necessary for both hurricane and Le Tour posts.

I ordered another refurbished Win 10 box, upgrades for the Toshiba, and today a new power supply for the big box. The power supply is the only major component I didn’t change when I installed the new motherboard.

I will not dwell on the lawnmower problems other than to say I don’t want a lawnmower because I don’t want a lawn. Grass fertilizer is a major source of algae blooms in coastal waterways in Florida. We will not discuss the SUV that was parked on the front lawn of the cats’ house for four days as it was topped by a tenant bringing a 30+ foot demasted sailboat to strip and dismantle. The weather has sucked; the computers have sucked; the lawnmowers have sucked.

OTOH, Honda has given me a “personal assistant” to help me get the airbag inflators in my car replaced. I haven’t done it because the service department of the local Honda dealer is peopled by jerks and the next nearest dealer is a 120 mile round trip if I’m lucky, It used to be 70 miles but then the barges broke loose during a storm last year and damaged the southern-most bridge to Pensacola.

I did get a new keyboard (Velocifire) that I really like. It has mechanical switches, is backlit, and has a rechargeable battery. Now if I can get a consistently working computer to go with it….

Apollo 11

Commander:

Neil A. Armstrong

Pilot: Columbia Command Module

Michael Collins, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF

Pilot: Eagle Lunar Module

Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr., Colonel, USAF

Launched: 16 July 1969 UT 13:32:00 (08:32:00 CDT)

Landed on Moon: 20 July 1969 UT 20:17:40 (15:17:40 CDT)

Landing Site: Mare Tranquillitatis – Sea of Tranquility (0.67 N, 23.47 E)

Returned to Earth: 24 July 1969 UT 16:50:35 (11:50:35 CDT)

It has been fifty-two years since a human first set foot on another natural body in the solar system. We are finally making steps toward doing it again.

Chatou > Paris Champs-Ẻlysées

Distance: 108.4 kilometers.

A Flat stage with a Cat 4 climb and a bunch finish.

• Côte des Grès 7.4 km (Cat 4: 1.9km @ 5.0%)

The intermediate sprint is at 68.3 km at Paris-Haut des Champs-Ẻlysées.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 82 hours 56 minutes 36 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 337 Points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Polka Dot] 107 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 1

Stage winner: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 012)
Super Combative: Franck Bonnamour (BBK – 223 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]
La Lanterne Rouge: Tim Declercq (DQT – 056) + 05h 01′ 09″ Φ

For the second year in a row Tadej Pogačar has taken everything except the Green Jersey and he is only 23. Mark Cavendish has put an exclamation point on his return to the race by taking the Green Jersey and tying with Eddy Merckx for total stage wins on the Tour at 34.

After making 20 stages, Jakob Fuglsang was unable to start the final stage.

List of finishers below the fold
[Read more →]

Libourne > Saint-Émilion

Distance: 30.8 kilometers.

An Indivual Time Trial stage with no climbs. Intermediate times are taken at Pomerol (7.6 km) and Montagne (20.1km). Riders leave the start every 1½ minutes (about 3½ hours for all of the riders to start, and under an hour to the finish.)

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 80 hours 16 minutes 59 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 304 Points
Wouter Poels (TBV – 166) [Polka Dot] 88 points*
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 2*

Stage winner: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 012)
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

*The Numbers 2 are wearing the White and the Polka Dot as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Mourenx > Libourne

Distance: 207.0 kilometers.

A Flat stage with a Cat 4 climb.

• Côte de Bareille 12.1 km (Cat 4: 1.9km @ 5.3%)

The intermediate sprint is at 54.1 km at Saint-Sever.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 79 hours 40 minutes 09 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 304 Points
Wouter Poels (TBV – 166) [Polka Dot] 88 points*
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 2*

Stage winner: Matej Mohoric (TBV – 165)
Combative: Matej Mohoric (TBV – 165 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

*The Numbers 2 are wearing the White and the Polka Dot as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

Barring something unusual the Jerseys seem to be determined. Tomorrow is a time trial, followed by the parade into Paris. The final question is whether Mark Cavendish can win the sprint in Paris and take his 35 stage to stand alone on the all time Tour stage wins.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Pau > Luz Ardiden

Distance: 129.7 kilometers.

The final Mountain stage with two Cat 4, and two Hors Catégorie climbs and a summit finish.

• Côte de Notre-Dame de Piétat 10.6 km (Cat 4: 2.6km @ 5.6%)
• Côte de Loucrup 54.6 km (Cat 4: 2.0km @ 7.0%)
• Col du Tourmalet 94.1 km (Hors Catégorie: 17.1km @ 7.3%)
• Luz Ardiden 129.7 km (Hors Catégorie: 13.3km @ 7.4%)

The intermediate sprint is at 62.7 km at Pouzac.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 75 hours 00 minutes 02 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 298 Points
Wouter Poels (TBV – 166) [Polka Dot] 88 points*
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 2*

Stage winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001)
Combative: David Gaudu (GFC – 081 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

*The Numbers 2 are wearing the White and the Polka Dot as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

With the win today, his third on this Tour, Tadej Pogačar protected the Yellow and White Jerseys and picked up the Polka Dots – the same three that he won last year. Mark Cavendish has a 19 point lead for the Green and is looking for another stage win in the flat stages ahead.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Muret > Saint-Lary-Soulan

Distance: 178.4 kilometers.

A Mountain stage with two Cat 1, and a Hors Catégorie climbs with a summit finish.

• Col de Peyresourde 129.1 km (Cat 1: 13.2km @ 7.0%)
• Col de Val Louron-Azet 149.5 km (Cat 1: 7.4km @ 8.3%)
• Col de Portet 178.4 km (Hors Catégorie: 16.0km @ 8.7%)

The intermediate sprint is at 113.4 km at Bagnères-de-Luchon.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 71 hours 26 minutes 27 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 287 Points
Wouter Poels (TBV – 166) [Polka Dot] 78 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 2*

Stage winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001)
Combative: Anthony Perez (COF – 096 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

Tadej Pogacar extended his lead in the Yellow by taking the stage. He is number 2 in the Polka Dot race and number 6 in the Green competition – a true all-arounder.

*Number 2 is wearing the White as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

La Fête Nationale
Bastille Day

Thank you for the help with the Revolution.

Some background.

Pas de la Case > Saint-Gaudens

Distance: 169.0 kilometers.

A “Hilly” stage with two Cat 2, a Cat 1, and a Cat 4 climbs.

• Col de Port 54.0 km (Cat 2: 11.4km @ 5.1%)
• Col de la Core 101.1 km (Cat 1: 13.1km @ 6.6%)
• Col de Portet-d’Aspet 136.5 km (Cat 2: 5.4km @ 7.1%)
• Côte d’Aspet-Sarrat 162.0 km (Cat 4: 800m @ 8.4%)

The intermediate sprint is at 84.7 km at Vic d’Oust.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 66 hours 23 minutes 06 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 279 Points
Wouter Poels (TBV – 166) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 3*

Stage winner: Patrick Konrad (BOH – 074)
Combative: Patrick Konrad (BOH – 074 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

A diverse cast on the stage podiums in this version of the Tour with many first time stage winners.

*Number 2 is wearing the White as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Céret > Andorre-la-Vielle¹

Distance: 191.3 kilometers.

A Mountain stage with a Cat 2 and three Cat 1 climbs.

• Montée de Mont-Louis 86.3 km (Cat 1: 8.4km @ 5.7%)
• Col de Puymorens 133.1 km(Cat 2: 5.8km @ 4.7%)
• Port d’Envalira 146.7 km (Cat 1: 10.7km @ 5.9%)
• Col de Beixalis 176.5 km (Cat 1: 6.4km @ 8.5%)

The intermediate sprint is at 66.9 km at Olette.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 62 hours 07 minutes 18 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 279 Points
Wouter Poels (TBV – 166) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 3*

Stage winner: Sepp Kuss (TJV – 015)
Combative: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 012 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

Sepp Kuss is the first American to win a stage in 10 years.

*Number 2 is wearing the White as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

¹Andorra la Vella (in Catalan, the local language) is the capital of the tiny country of Andorra located in the Pyrenees between France and Spain.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Carcassone > Quillan

Distance: 183.7 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with two Cat 3 and three Cat 2 climbs.

• Col du Bac 50.9 km (Cat 3: 3.1km @ 5.3%)
• Col de Montségur 89.0 km (Cat 2: 4.2km @ 8.7%)
• Col de la Croix de Morts 110.3 km(Cat 2: 6.8km @ 5.7%)
• Côte de Galinagues 126.3 km (Cat 3: 2.2km @ 9.0%)
• Col de Saint-Louis 166.8 km (Cat 2: 4.7km @ 7.4%)

The intermediate sprint is at 76.7 km at Lavelanet.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 56 hours 50 minutes 21 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 279 Points
Michael Woods (ISN – 037) [Polka Dot] 54 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 4*

Stage winner: Bauke Mollema (TFS – 044)
Combative: Bauke Mollema (TFS – 044 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

*Number 2 is wearing the White as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

The Tour’s concept of “Hilly” is a bit skewed IMHO.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Nîmes > Carcassone

Distance: 219.9 kilometers.

A Flat stage with a Cat 4 climb in the middle.

• Côte du Pic Saint-Loup 51.5 km (cat 3: 5.5km @ 3.6%)

The intermediate sprint is at 104.2 km at Fontes. Expect a bunch sprint to the finish.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 52 hours 27 minutes 12 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 279 Points
Nairo Quintana (ARK – 136) [Polka Dot] 50 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 3*

Stage winner: Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055)
Combative: Quentin Pacher (BBK – 227 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

*Number 2 is wearing the White as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

Mark Cavendish has tied Eddy Merckx’s record with his 34th stage win and fourth stage win of this edition of the Tour. He was selected for the Deceuninck – Quick – Step team at the last minute when other riders dropped out. He has had medical problems in recent years that have prevented him from racing, but he is obviously back and winning stages and the Green Jersey for his team.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Position: 43.0N 69.5W [ 4:00PM CDT 2100UTC].
Movement: Northeast [045°] near 35 mph [56 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 50 mph [ 85 kph].
Wind Gusts: 65 mph [100 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 175 miles [280 km].
Minimum central pressure: 999 mb.

Currently about 90 miles [ 145 km] East-Northeast of Boston, Massachusetts.

All Warnings and Watches have been cancelled.

This is the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center on this system.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]