Posts from — July 2021

Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Nîmes

Distance: 159.4 kilometers.

A Flat stage with a Cat 3 climb in the middle.

• Côte du belvédère de Tharaux 83.7 km (cat 3: 4.4km @ 4.6%)

The intermediate sprint is at 132.7 km at Uzès. Expect a bunch sprint to the finish.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 47 hours 22 minutes 43 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 221 Points
Nairo Quintana (ARK – 136) [Polka Dot] 50 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 3*

Stage winner: Nils Politt (BOH – 076)
Combative: Nils Politt (BOH – 076 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

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

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Position: 37.6N 76.5W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: Northeast [045°] near 25 mph [41 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 50 mph [ 85 kph].
Wind Gusts: 65 mph [100 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 160 miles [260 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1002 mb ↓.

Currently about 170 miles [ 270 km] Southwest of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from north of Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina to Sandy Hook, New Jersey including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach, the tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island, Delaware Bay south of Slaughter Beach, Long Island from East Rockaway Inlet to the eastern tip along the south shore and from Port Jefferson Harbor eastward on the north shore, New Haven, Connecticut to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts including Cape Cod, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

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.]

Sorgues > Malaucène

Distance: 198.9 kilometers.

A Mountain stage with two Cat 4, two Cat 1, and an Hors Catégorie. The finish is a 1600 meter descent over 22 kilometers.

• Côte de Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 32.1 km (cat 4: 1.9km @ 6.0%)
• Côte de Gordes 43.7 km (cat 4: 2.5km @ 5.1%)
• Col de la Liguière 83.6 km(cat 1: 9.3km @ 6.7%)
• Mont Ventoux 122.5 km (cat 1: 22.0km @ 5.1%)
• Mont Ventoux 176.9 km (Hors Catégorie: 15.7km @ 8.8%)

The intermediate sprint is at 40.2 km at Les Imberts.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 43 hours 44 minutes 38 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 218 Points
Nairo Quintana (ARK – 136) [Polka Dot] 50 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 3*

Stage winner: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 012)
Combative: Kenny Elissonde (TFS – 043 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

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

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Position: 32.1N 82.3W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: North-Northeast [025°] near 16 mph [26 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 45 mph [ 85 kph].
Wind Gusts: 60 mph [ 95 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 115 miles [185 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1006 mb.

Currently about 80 miles [ 125 km] Northwest of Brunswick, Georgia.

At 10AM CDT Elsa is coming ashore in Taylor County, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Little River Inlet, South Carolina to Great Egg Inlet, New Jersey including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach and the tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island and Delaware Bay south of Slaughter Beach.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from north of Great Egg Inlet, New Jersey to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, Long Island from East Rockaway Inlet to the eastern tip along the south shore and from Port Jefferson Harbor eastward on the north shore, New Haven, Connecticut to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts including Cape Cod, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

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.]

Albertville > Valence

Distance: 190.7 kilometers.

A mostly Flat stage with a single Cat 4 climb.

• Col de Couz 58.5 km (cat 4: 7.4km @ 2.8%)

The intermediate sprint is at 82.3 km at La Placette.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 38 hours 25 minutes 17 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 218 Points
Nairo Quintana (ARK – 136) [Polka Dot] 50 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 4*

Stage winner: Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055)
Combative: Hugo Houle (APT – 186 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

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

This is Mark Cavendish’s third stage win on this year’s Tour and 33rd stage win overall on the Tour, only one short of the legendary Eddy Merckx’s record. He has the possibility of tying and then surpassing that long standing record on this year’s Tour.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Position: 27.3N 83.2W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: North [360°] near 14 mph [22 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 75 mph [120 kph].
Wind Gusts: 85 mph [135 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 80 miles [130 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 25 miles [ 35 km].
Minimum central pressure: 997 mb ↑.

Currently about 65 miles [ 105 km] Southwest of Tampa, Florida.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for for Egmont Key to the Steinhatchee River, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the west coast of Florida from Chokoloskee to south of Egmont Key, the west coast of Florida north of Steinhatchee River to Ochlockonee River, and the coast of Georgia from the Mouth of the St. Marys River, Georgia to Little River Inlet, South Carolina.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to the Aucilla River including Tampa Bay.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from north of Little River Inlet, South Carolina to Duck, North Carolina including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the west coast of Florida from west of the Aucilla River to the Ochlockonee River, Florida.

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.]

Position: 23.5N 82.3W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: North-Northwest [330°] near 12 mph [19 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 60 mph [ 95 kph].
Wind Gusts: 75 mph [120 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 70 miles [110 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1007 mb ↓.

Currently about 80 miles [ 130 km] South-Southwest of Key West, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana, and Artemisa, the Florida Keys from Craig Key westward to the Dry Tortugas, and the west coast of Florida from Flamingo to the Ochlockonee River, including Tampa Bay.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to the Aucilla River including Tampa Bay.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass, Florida.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the west coast of Florida from west of the Aucilla River to the Ochlockonee River, Florida.

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.]

Cluses > Tignes

Distance: 144.9 kilometers.

Definitely a Mountain stage with two Cat 2, two Cat 1, and an Hors Catégorie.

• Côte de Domancy 19.6 km (cat 2: 2.5km @ 9.4%)
• Col des Saisies 49.4 km (cat 1: 9.4km @ 6.2%)
• Col du Pré 80.9 km(Hors Catégorie: 12.6km @ 7.7%)
• Cormet de Roselend 93.3 km (cat 2: 5.7km @ 6.5%)
• Montée de Tignes 143.0 km (cat 1: 21.0km @ 5.6%)

The intermediate sprint is at 32.7 km at Praz-sur-Arly.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 34 hours 11 minutes 10 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 168 Points
Nairo Quintana (ARK – 136) [Polka Dot] 50 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 4*

Stage winner: Ben O’Connor (ACT – 124)
Combative: Ben O’Connor (ACT – 124 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

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

After a run of stages with no losses, two riders didn’t start, three withdrew, and seven were outside the time limit. Tomorrow is a Rest Day.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Position: 20.6N 79.2W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: Northwest [310°] near 15 mph [24 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 65 mph [100 kph].
Wind Gusts: 75 mph [120 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 80 miles [130 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1004 mb ↓.

Currently about 270 miles [ 440 km] Southeast of Havana, Cuba.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Cienfuegos, Matanzas.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara, Mayabeque, and Havana, and the Florida Keys from Craig Key westward to the Dry Tortugas.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Cuban province of Camaguey.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, the Cuban province of Artemisa, and the Florida Keys from east of Craig Key to Ocean Reef, Florida Bay, and the west coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to the Anclote River.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach northward to the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay.

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.]

The Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security…

[Read more →]

Oyonnax > Le Grand-Bornand

Distance: 150.8 kilometers.

Definitely a Mountain stage with a Cat 3, a Cat 4, and three Cat 1 climbs.

• Côte de Copponex 61.9 km (cat 3: 6.5km @ 4.4%)
• Côte de Menthonnex-en-Bornes 72.5 km (cat 4: 2.7km @ 4.9%)
• Côte de Mont-Saxonnex 104.0 km(cat 1: 5.7km @ 8.3%)
• Col de Romme 122.1 km (cat 1: 8.8km @ 8.9%)
• Col de Colombière 136.1 km (cat 1: 7.5km @ 8.5%)

The intermediate sprint is at 44.8 km at Frangy.

In additions to the mountains there was rain to make the descents “interesting”. This was a very good day for Tadej Pogačar who has captured the Yellow, but also for Team Bahrain Victorious which now leads the Teams competition, and whose riders won the stage, the Red Numbers, and the Polka Dots. Three of the top four climbers are on Team Bahrain Victorious.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 29 hours 38 minutes 25 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 168 Points
Wouter Poels (TBV – 166) [Polka Dot] 23 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 5*

Stage winner: Dylan Teuns (TBV – 167)
Combative: Wouter Poels (TBV – 166 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

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

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Position: 17.9N 75.3W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [295°] near 17 mph [28 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 65 mph [100 kph].
Wind Gusts: 80 mph [130 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 125 miles [205 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1004 mb ↑.

Currently about 140 miles [ 225 km] East-Southeast of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the southern portion of Haiti from Port Au Prince to the southern border with the Dominican Republic., Jamaica, and for the Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara, and Cienfuegos.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, the Cuban provinces of Matanzas, Mayabeque, and Havana, and the Florida Keys from Craig Key westward to the Dry Tortugas.

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.]

Vierzon > Le Creusot

Distance: 249.1 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with two Cat 4s, two Cat 3s, and a Cat 2 climb.

• Côte de Château-Chinon 161.5 km (cat 3: 3.2km @ 5.3%)
• Côte de Glux-en-Glenne 178.2 km (cat 4: 2.6km @ 4.2%)
• Côte de la Croix de la Libération 213.8 km(cat 3: 4.6km @ 5.3%)
• Signal d’Uchon 231.0 km (cat 2: 5.7km @ 5.7%)
• Côte de la Gourloye 241.2 km (cat 4: 2.4km @ 5.3%)

The intermediate sprint is at 115.4 km at Saint-Benin-d’Azy.

Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC – 101) [Yellow] 25 hours 39 minutes 47 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 168 Points
Matej Mohoric (TBV – 165) [Polka Dot] 11 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 5

Stage winner: Matej Mohoric (TBV – 165)
Combative: Matej Mohoric (TBV – 165 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

A very good day for Matej Mohoric – the stage, the Polka Dots, and the Red numbers. Not so good for Tadej Pogačar who lost 3 minutes 35 seconds and dropped from 2nd to 5th – mountains are not his friends.

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Position: 14.8N 66.3W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [285°] near 29 mph [46 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 80 mph [130 kph].
Wind Gusts: 100 mph [160 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 150 miles [240 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 25 miles [ 35 km].
Minimum central pressure: 995 mb.

Currently about 730 miles [1175 km] East-Southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Jamaica, southern portion of Haiti from Port Au Prince to the southern border with the Dominican Republic, and the southern coast of the Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque to the border with Haiti.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the southern coast of Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to the border with Haiti, and the coast of Haiti north of Port Au Prince.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the provinces of Camaguey, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba..

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for northern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Bahia de Manzanillo, and Cayman Brac & Little Cayman.

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.]