Happy Birthday America! It’s actually tomorrow on the 4th but we’ll take a 3-day birthday party any time.
As well as the Independence Day long weekend, tomorrow is also very special this year as the starting day of the 102nd Tour de France and if you’ve been with me any length of time at all, you’ll remember Robert and I are stalwart fans of this wonderful annual pro cycling team spectacle.
Each year we look forward to three weeks in July of touring France and neighboring countries from the comfort of our living room. With HDTV and tangling, what could be better? Traditionally we watch the Saturday morning race start with fresh croissants from our local French bakery and home-made café au lait, and tomorrow will very likely follow tradition.
This year the Grand Départ of the peleton is from Utrecht, the Tour’s sixth start in The Netherlands. From there the route proceeds south, through Belgium, and into France. The 21-day race is made up of 21 stages and 22 international 9-man teams will each cover a total distance of 3,360 kilometres (about 2088 miles).
In the entire three week race the cyclists get exactly two (2!!) days off, otherwise it’s “pedal, man, pedal” from morning to night. And a solid portion of it is up and down mountains through the Alps and Pyrenees. It’s a brutal test of conditioning and endurance — with great scenery 🙂 . This is the 2015 route, from the official Tour site:
Click on the map to visit the Tour’s Official Site for details on each stage of this remarkable event.
If you’re interested in the history of the Tour de France, Wikipedia has it all.
I’m delighted that from year to year a few of you join me in watching this amazing race. You don’t need to know anything about the sport of cycling to enjoy the Tour, the broadcasters (former pro cyclists Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen for us here in the US) are so good at blending in clear explanations along with the action while also giving us a picturesque travelogue of every place we visit.
Last year before the Tour started in England, I wrote this:
This year pro cycling’s crown jewel is 21 stages covering a total distance of 3,664 kilometres (2,276.7 miles). Even if you think you aren’t interested in professional cycling it is well worth taking in a stage or two for the scenery alone especially when it gets to the mountain stages in France. Now that high definition TVs are the norm, the Tour de France is some of television’s most breathtaking viewing. And who knows, perhaps you too will become a fan of the sport if only for the duration of Le Tour each July. …
And that’s it from your tangling sports reporter for now 
Enjoy a beautiful weekend all!
Ditto!
![By Averette at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMiamifireworks.jpg)
July 4th in Miami, by Averette at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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The Tangle Refresher series, aka Buried Treasure, spotlights hidden tangle gems from the past. It can remind you of tangles you might not have used for a while or introduce you to some you haven’t come across yet.
Here are five more tangle pattern gems and a Tangle Refresher from a year (or two) ago for your tangling pleasure. Remember to check out the “More Good Stuff” links below too. Zenful tangling!
BTW as you visit these tangles it would be great if you’d take a moment to leave a comment of thanks and encouragement for the tangler who’s shared with us, and please share the tangles with your followers on all your favorite social media. Thanks!
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Cubine |
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Seedings |
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Maisie |
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Zeta |
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JaJazz |
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Tangle Refresher 78 |
More good stuff …
- The Zen of Zentangle – CZT Carole Ohl’s beautiful description of the experience of Zentangle, “More than a Metaphor”
- Tangle Your Name – when you’re stalled with where to begin a Zentangle tile, this is a great jump-starter
- Download free templates for recording and organizing tangle patterns and learning their steps
- New to Zentangle? The Official Zentangle Kit has everything you need to get started, including a great DVD tutorial by Zentangle co-founder Maria Thomas.
- Everything you need to know about creating Zentangle-Inspired Art or Products
- Free Interweave eBook – Know Your Rights: Copyright 101 for crafters and artists
- Tangle Pattern Refreshers – the entire Buried Treasure series.
- Find more tutorials on TanglePatterns by visiting the TUTORIALS tab on the pink alphabetic menu bar
- Find a CZT near you – the link to the list of Certified Zentangle Teachers is located in the left sidebar of the site under the heading SOURCE WEBSITES.
- Interested in becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT®)? Here’s more information.
- Linda’s List of Zentangle-original tangles — THE tangles to learn first if you’re new to Zentangle.
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July 3, 2015 | 
More like this: 
I’m a fellow fan of the Tour de France. I’m amazed by the strength and endurance of these athletes. And the strategies are fascinating. I like your idea of starting off with croissants and cafe au lait … my husband would certainly go along with that! The Tour is one of my favorite things about July along with the appearance of fresh local tomatoes, corn and blueberries!