And so the trek to Hybridfest begins...

JimboK · #11 07-19-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondlarry

If you take 80-90 through IN, honk when you go by the Elkhart(Exit 92) exit. I'm about10-12 miles south.

You be lis'nin' now, ya hear?

Weather was great last night when I hit camp. Weather started sucking at about 3 am. Still sucks. T'storms rolled through -- not a direct hit, sounded like they were a little to the south. But enough to get my attention. Then a rumble of thunder or two ever few minutes for what seemed liked two hours! Just enough to mess up what could have been a restful sleep. And it's been drizzly or rainy since.

Worst part of this is that I got wet crap I gotta put back into the car now: the tent, a tarp I use as a ground sheet, and stuff inside that got wet from a previously waterproof tent floor that isn't waterproof anymore. Glad I packed some plastic trash bags.

From here I'll work my way via the byways up to I-76, then to I-90 for a straight shot into Chi-town. Talk to ya!

Skwyre7 · #12 07-19-2007, 07:23 AM

Larry, you nkow the hon in the Prius isn't strong enough to carry 10 miles.

Jim, in my two years of going back and forth from Richmond to Roanoke, I don't know that I've ever driven over Afton Mountain either. I've done that stretch of I-64 many times in other vehicles though. I'm sure the traffic was much better than it is on a Friday afternoon.

I'll be heading out tomorrow afternoon to go to Asheville, NC for my friend's wedding. I'll be sure to tell her that she's causing me to miss HF.

JimboK · #13 07-19-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartyBrutus

Enjoy the trip!

80-90 should be loaded with trucks heading to Chicagoland - just put it in N and they will drag you there.

Honk as you pass Columbus Ohio on I70 coming back - we'll wave.

PS - Ohio Hwy Patrol loves Sunday OT if you are returning then - not that youll be speeding

Thanks, Carl. I'm latching on to some of those trucks already.

It's a pleasant break to be able to put 'er in CC and relax a bit on these relatively flat roads. The mountain views were great, but my right foot needed a break. I'm at a service plaza off I-80 somewheres between Cleveland and Toledo. Time for lunch and a good stretch of the legs -- and a caffeine booster shot! The segment from the campground to here has been pretty decent: 56 MPG. This despite frequent rain showers and a head wind. I've kept CC at 62 when I'm riding solo, and going as high as 68 if I can find a truck running a consistent pace. Many thanks to Ohio's truckers!

EDIT: Just finished lunch and I'm relaxing a bit in the espresso lounge. Why can't Virginia have travel plazas like these?!

JimboK · #14 07-19-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skwyre7

Jim, in my two years of going back and forth from Richmond to Roanoke, I don't know that I've ever driven over Afton Mountain either. I've done that stretch of I-64 many times in other vehicles though. I'm sure the traffic was much better than it is on a Friday afternoon.

Though I've made many trips to Roanoke, it's been 20+ years since I've taken the interstates. A different motivation in my previous life: Get there ASAP. Either way, the byways are better, IHMO.

Fenrir · #15 07-19-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimboK

Why can't Virginia have travel plazas like these?!

Answer: Because Virginia is not a swing state.

JimboK · #16 07-20-2007, 12:14 AM

What a dog of a drive, MPG-wise! The front that brought last night's storms has pushed through, bringing with it 15-20 MPH winds coming in from my 2 o'clock -- probably the worst angle possible. I filled up just east of the Ohio/Indiana line, with tank MPG of about 57. That wasn't too bad, all things considered, but from there forward I fought hard for a measly 52 on I-90 and I-94.

Well the good thing is that the trip to HF is mostly over. I'm sitting in the home of a most gracious host. Maybe some of you know him. His name is Wayne something or other.

Anyway, I'm enjoying some fellowship with him, Delta Flyer, and Rhwinger. And I get to stay dry tonight!

I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow.

Pravus Prime · #17 07-20-2007, 12:16 AM

LOL, have fun, see ya tomorrow!

I made the entire drive in one day. 10 and a half hours, 501 miles. Too much of a good thing? Hardly, driving conditions were very seldomly ideal, and usually pretty poor.

Anyway, see all who are on their way!

hobbit · #18 07-20-2007, 01:09 AM

Excellent, you got there, and we'll undoubtedly see ya
tomorrow! [which is almost today, we're all goin' to sleep]
.
_H*

JimboK · #19 07-20-2007, 09:43 PM

Whew, what a day! Made it to Madison with Chuck riding shotgun. Thanks, Chuck, for keeping me awake! Got to meet many of the folk I've known only by "voice" up 'til now. It's a pleasure and an honor to know all of you a little better.

MPG Challenge highlights. I was interviewed by one of the local TV stations, and their cameraman was to ride along part of the way. Well, Mr. Delayed Intelligence here misreads the map and misses one of the very first turns on the course. Then it gets worse. The road I fail to turn off of goes straight to the freeway, meaning I have to go down a mile or so to the next interchange before I can turn back. You don't think that whacked my MPG, do you?!

Not to mention that I will now exceed the maximum mileage allowed for the course. (They allowed the route plus one mile in case of a wrong turn that could be immediately corrected.) Meanwhile, the cameraman calls his reporter to tell her the good news. I get turned around and back on course, and at the very next light, he bails. (His reporter had caught up to us and she picked him up.) I knew he hadn't planned to ride the whole course, but this soon?? I figured he said to himself, "I'm not wasting any more film on this loser!"

When I returned, Linda (the Challenge coordinator), bless her heart, offered me another shot at it. I made the turn this time and successfully completed the course with a respectable 87.9 MPG. (*&^%$ new tires!!!) Not the best by any means, but in the ballpark with folks like Evan Fusco and Hobbit. Nowhere near the stratospheric levels of a couple of people you might have heard of named Dan (106) and Jerad (110)! Congratulations, guys!

I never saw the TV crew again, BTW.

I'm sitting at the campground now enjoying a strawberry margarita, watching a beautiful sunset, and taking in a nice breeze. And talking to you fine folks. For those that are here, thanks for making my day. Yes, I came partly for the Challenge, but moreso for the fellowship and to make new friends.

JimboK · #20 07-22-2007, 09:37 PM

And so, on the way home now. I'm camping at Indiana Dunes State Park. Quite a bit busier here than the other campgrounds. I hope the barking dogs all around me know that quiet time begins at 10:00. And the crying baby across the road.

We had a good session with the driving clinics this morning. It was fun seeing Prius owners, including some that only recently bought their cars, turn 70-80 MPG or more the first time they tried P&G. Hypermilers of the future! Wayne, thanks for the honor of asking me to teach.

A good day on the road. After talking to some of you fellow Prius owners, I tweaked my highway technique a bit. 58 MPG net from Madison to the campsite. Not sure how much difference the adjustments made. Certainly not having the headwinds helped. And, it just occurred to me, my tires are still at 65 PSI from Friday's MPG Challenge. Hhmm, wonder what'll happen if I leave them there.

It's onward to Kentucky tomorrow. Talk to ya then.

EDIT: Looks like I didn't completely turn off the TV crew:

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/8631507.html