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2022 July — Why Now?
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Posts from — July 2022

Le Tour 2022 – Stage 9

Tour de France Aigle > Châtel les Portes du Soleil

Distance: 192.9 kilometers.

A serious Mountain stage with four Category climbs and a summit finish.

  • Côte de Bellevue 37.1 km (Cat 4: 4.3km @ 4.0%)
  • Col des Mosses 108.5 km (Cat 2: 13.3km @ 4.1%)
  • Col de la Croix 131.8 km (Cat 1: 8.1km @ 7.6%)
  • Pas de Morgins 183.1 km (Cat 1: 15.4km @ 6.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 56.5 km at Semsales.

Yellow Jersey Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 33 hours 43 minutes 44 seconds
Green Jersey Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 284 Points
Polka Dot Jersey Simon Geschke (COF – 073) [Polka Dot] 19 points
White Jersey Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 7

Stage winner: Bob Jungels (ACT – 036)
Combative: Thibaut Pinot (GFC – 097 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Kasper Asgreen (DQT – 052), Guillaume Martin (COF – 071), and Ruben Antonio Almeida Guerreiro (EFN – 142) failed to make the start. Injuries from earlier crashes are catching up with people.

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July 10, 2022   Comments Off on Le Tour 2022 – Stage 9

Le Tour 2022 – Stage 8

Tour de France Dole > Côte du Stade Olympique

Distance: 186.3 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with four Category climbs and a summit finish.

  • Côte du Maréchet 75.6 km (Cat 4: 2.0km @ 5.7%)
  • Côte des Rousses 101.3 km (Cat 3: 6.7km @ 5.0%)
  • Côte de Pétra Félix 136.9 km (Cat 4: 2.4km @ 5.6%)
  • Côte du Stade Olympique 186.3 km (Cat 3: 4.8km @ 4.6%)

The intermediate sprint is at 46.9 km at Montrond.

Yellow Jersey Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 28 hours 56 minutes 16 seconds
Green Jersey Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 264 Points
Polka Dot Jersey Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
White Jersey Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 7

Stage winner: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016)
Combative: Mattia Cattaneo (DQT – 054 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Vegard Stake Laengen (UAD – 004) & Geoffrey Bouchard (ACT – 032) did not make the start, while Kevin Vermaerke (DSM – 118) & Gianni Moscon (APT – 136) had to withdraw. These guys are tough, but their only protection is a helmet. The bikes are a bigger threat than the road.

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July 9, 2022   Comments Off on Le Tour 2022 – Stage 8

Post-Tropical Cyclone Bonnie – Day 13

Post-Tropical Cyclone BonniePosition: 19.5N 129.4W [ 4:00PM CDT 2100UTC].
Movement: West [270°] near 21 mph [33 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph [ 65 kph].
Wind Gusts: 50 mph [ 80 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 45 miles [ 75 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 15 miles [ 30 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1009 mb ↑.

Currently about 1275 miles [2055 km] West of the southern tip of Baja California.

This is the final 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.]

July 9, 2022   Comments Off on Post-Tropical Cyclone Bonnie – Day 13

Le Tour 2022 – Stage 7

Tour de France Tomblaine > La Super Planche des Belles Filles

Distance: 176.3 kilometers.

A Mountain stage with three Category climbs and a summit finish.

  • Col de Grosse Pierre 87.2 km (Cat 3: 3.1km @ 6.4%)
  • Col des Croix 205.0 km (Cat 3: 3.2km @ 6.3%)
  • La Super Planche des Belles Filles 176.3 km (Cat 1: 7.0km @ 8.7%)

The intermediate sprint is at 101.2 km at Gérardmer.

Yellow Jersey Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 24 hours 43 minutes 14 seconds
Green Jersey Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 203 Points
Polka Dot Jersey Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
White Jersey Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 7

Stage winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001)
Combative: Simon Geschke (COF – 073 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Update: Daniel Oss (TDE – 186) did not start Stage 6 because an accident on Stage 5 fractured a cervical vertebra and he will be in a brace for some time. The accident was caused by spectators.

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July 8, 2022   Comments Off on Le Tour 2022 – Stage 7

Tropical Storm Bonnie – Day 12

Tropical Storm BonniePosition: 19.1N 123.7W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [285°] near 20 mph [31 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 60 mph [ 95 kph].
Wind Gusts: 75 mph [120 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 60 miles [ 95 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1001 mb ↑.

Currently about 925 miles [1490 km] West-Southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.

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.]

July 8, 2022   Comments Off on Tropical Storm Bonnie – Day 12

Le Tour 2022 – Stage 6

Tour de France Binche > Longwy

Distance: 219.9 kilometers.

Time Trial
A Hilly stage with three Category climbs and a 1.6 km climb at 5.2% up Côte des Religieuses to the finish.

  • Côte des Mazures 87.2 km (Cat 3: 2.0km @ 7.6%)
  • Côte de Montigny-Sur-Chiers 205.0 km (Cat 4: 1.6km @ 4.9%)
  • Côte de Pulventeux 214.6 km (Cat 3: 0.8km @ 12.3%)

The intermediate sprint is at 145.9 km at Carignan.

Yellow Jersey Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 20 hours 44 minutes 44 seconds
Green Jersey Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Green] 198 Points
Polka Dot Jersey Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
White Jersey Thomas Pidcock (IGD – 025) [White] 5

Stage winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001)
Combative: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Alex Kirsch (TFS – 174) withdrew and Daniel Oss (TDE – 186) didn’t start. Losses expected after yesterday’s cobblestones.

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July 7, 2022   Comments Off on Le Tour 2022 – Stage 6

Hurricane Bonnie – Day 11

Hurricane BonniePosition: 18.1N 116.9W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: West [280°] near 17 mph [28 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 90 mph [150 kph].
Wind Gusts: 110 mph [175 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 70 miles [110 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 15 miles [ 30 km].
Minimum central pressure: 980 mb.

Currently about 560 miles [ 905 km] Southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.

The storm is headed towards cooler water and will weaken over the next few days.

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.]

July 7, 2022   Comments Off on Hurricane Bonnie – Day 11

Le Tour 2022 – Stage 5

Tour de France Lille Métropole > Arenberg Porte Du Hainaut

Distance: 157.0 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with no Category climbs, but with 11 sections of cobblestones between the 79 km marker and the finish. This portends broken bikes and injured riders.

The intermediate sprint is at 37.2 km at Mérignies.

Yellow Jersey Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Yellow] 16 hours 17 minutes 22 seconds
Green Jersey Fabio Jakobsen (DQT – 051) [Green] 126 Points
Polka Dot Jersey Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
White Jersey Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 4

Stage winner: Simon Clarke (ISN – 193)
Combative: Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Ineos Grenadiers ( IGD – 021-028 ) [Yellow numbers]

Jack Haig (TBV – 081) and Michael Gogl (AFC – 103) have withdrawn from the race which is not as bad as I expected. It remains to be seen if some riders don’t make tomorrow’s start. Ineos is only 1 second ahead of Jumbo in the team standings (combined times of the team’s top three riders).

Top 10 below the fold
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July 6, 2022   Comments Off on Le Tour 2022 – Stage 5

Hurricane Bonnie – Day 10

Hurricane BonniePosition: 16.9N 111.3W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [285°] near 14 mph [22 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 100 mph [155 kph].
Wind Gusts: 120mph [195 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 80 miles [130 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 10 miles [ 20 km].
Minimum central pressure: 977 mb ↑.

Currently about 425 miles [ 685 km] South-Southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.

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.]

July 6, 2022   Comments Off on Hurricane Bonnie – Day 10

Le Tour 2022 – Stage 4

Tour de France Dunkerque > Calais

Distance: 171.5 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with six Cat 4 climbs and a downhill finish.

  • Côte de Cassel 30.7 km (Cat 4: 1.7km @ 4.2%)
  • Côte de Remilly-Wirquin 71.8 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 6.8%)
  • Côte de Nielles-Lès-Bléquin 97.2 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 7.7%)
  • Côte de Harlettes 102.7 km (Cat 4: 1.3km @ 6.0%)
  • Côte du Ventus 123.6 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 4.8%)
  • Côte du Cap Blanc-Nez 160.7 km (Cat 4: 0.9km @ 7.5%)

The intermediate sprint is at 63.2 km at Lumbres.

Yellow Jersey Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Yellow] 13 hours 02 minutes 43 seconds
Green Jersey Fabio Jakobsen (DQT – 051) [Green] 109 Points
Polka Dot Jersey Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 11 points
White Jersey Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 3

Stage winner: Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016)
Combative: Anthony Perez (COF – 076 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

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July 5, 2022   Comments Off on Le Tour 2022 – Stage 4

Hurricane Bonnie – Day 9

Hurricane BonniePosition: 15.7N 107.1W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [285°] near 15 mph [24 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 110 mph [175 kph].
Wind Gusts: 125mph [200 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 105 miles [165 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 30 miles [ 45 km].
Minimum central pressure: 968 mb ↑.

Currently about 335 miles [ 545 km] South-Southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.

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.]

July 5, 2022   Comments Off on Hurricane Bonnie – Day 9

Hurricane Bonnie – Day 8

Hurricane BonniePosition: 14.5N 101.4W [10:00PM CDT 0300UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [285°] near 16 mph [26 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 105 mph [165 kph].
Wind Gusts: 120 mph [195 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 90 miles [150 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 25 miles [ 35 km].
Minimum central pressure: 974 mb ↓.

Currently about 220 miles [ 355 km] South of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

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.]

July 4, 2022   Comments Off on Hurricane Bonnie – Day 8

Independence Day

John Trumbull's Signing the Declaration of Independence

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…

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July 4, 2022   Comments Off on Independence Day

Le Tour 2022 – Stage 3

Tour de France Vejle > Sønderborg

Distance: 182.0 kilometers.

A Flat stage with three Cat 4 climbs and a bunch finish.

  • Côte de Koldingve 27.3 km (Cat 4: 1.1km @ 3.4%)
  • Côte de Hejlsminde Strand 82.8 km (Cat 4: 0.8km @ 5.5%)
  • Côte de Genner Strand 123.3 km (Cat 4: 1.7km @ 3.4%)

The intermediate sprint is at 90.5 km at Christianfeld.

Yellow Jersey Wout Van Aert (TJV – 016) [Yellow] 09 hours 01 minutes 17 seconds
Green Jersey Fabio Jakobsen (DQT – 051) [Green] 90 Points
Polka Dot Jersey Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146) [Polka Dot] 6 points
White Jersey Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 3

Stage winner: Dylan Groenewegen (BEX – 204)
Combative: Magnus Cort Nielsen (EFN – 146 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 10 below the fold
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July 3, 2022   Comments Off on Le Tour 2022 – Stage 3