Roadtrip!!!! Georgia to California in 2 1/2 days - LotusTalk

Randy Chase · 08-09-2004, 08:55 PM

[blues brothers] We are on a mission[/blues brothers]

Am I nuts?

The journey starts Sunday.

I appreciate your feedback about roads once you understand my general plans. The map is not done yet.

This may explain some odd questions I have posed on the forums. I did not want to go public until it was certain that I was going and it was a concrete plan. This is why I needed to know if the car was waxed at the dealership... because I had a 2500 mile trip home. And why I needed to know how to mount a V1 BEFORE I had the car.

Thanks to my trip sponsors, specially Sector111, and special thanks to Transio for being able to put together a nice web site on very short notice (this all happened in a short time).

atyclb · 08-09-2004, 09:05 PM

he's comin' to Austin!

I would think Autostrada would accomodate you--talk to Dacia (lotustalk) or Neil there.

mact3333 · 08-09-2004, 09:38 PM

Randy, are you really going to take smaller roads for first 600 miles due to break in???...Im curious cause I was planning on driving my car a thousand miles home after delivery but I wasnt planning on taking no damn streets or even hwys...I need freeways cause Im too impatient and lazy!...

...you really think driving the first 600 miles on freeway would be detrimental to engine??

Randy Chase · 08-09-2004, 09:52 PM

Small roads. Varied rpms. No real freeways until 600 miles.

rtking · 08-09-2004, 10:16 PM

Drive safe, Randy! Looking forward to reading your travel diary!

Bob

heatmiser · 08-09-2004, 10:51 PM

Right on!

cranium · 08-09-2004, 11:31 PM

No way your gonna make it from the gap to Austin in one day. You'll have to drive pretty far after the gap.

And you'll definitely need a GPS if you want to make it on time, it'll be much more convienent on unkown roads and it will give you estimates. I know, I just drove from San Francisco to DC in 5 days. I had a $100 USB (from Best Buy) that connected to my laptop. Worked perfect, escpecially when there was massive backups or when I wanted to see where a road went.

Randy Chase · 08-09-2004, 11:49 PM

Thanks. I might be able to drive longer than others, but it will depend on the average speed I can do in the Elise. I am concerned I will do a slower speed because it will draw attention (tickets) and if I am off the main freeways.

Normally I drive an average of 70-75mph (including fuel and pit stops) and can drive 1000-1100 miles in one day. I figure if I really tried, I could make it across in 3 days. BONZAI!!!!

But maybe not this time.

I can stop north of Austin and try to get into Austin sometime early Wednesday. Damn... the trip is getting longer.

Maybe I can make it from Austin to San Diego in under 2 days.

gotapex · 08-10-2004, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy Chase
Normally I drive an average of 70-75mph (including fuel and pit stops) and can drive 1000-1100 miles in one day. I figure if I really tried, I could make it across in 3 days. BONZAI!!!!

But maybe not this time.

I can stop north of Austin and try to get into Austin sometime early Wednesday. Damn... the trip is getting longer.

Maybe I can make it from Austin to San Diego in under 2 days.

I stand in awe of your awesome iron-like posterior.

Randy Chase · 08-10-2004, 12:20 AM

And people think that sitting 16 hours a day in front of a computer isn't a good work out?

rtking · 08-10-2004, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Randy Chase wrote:
Maybe I can make it from Austin to San Diego in under 2 days.

Randy, I think you can do it in one day if you wanted. I drove a Chevy Blazer (smaller S-10 style) from LA to San Antonio in one day. (Granted it was a very long day!)

I agree that GPS is helpful and, in my case, really made for relaxed long-distance cruising. I never worried where I was or how far I was from the next town (gas source, nature break and another source of caffeine!) If you don't have your own, I am happy to loan my my Magellan Roadmate 700.

Bob

zvezdah1 · 08-10-2004, 01:27 AM

Randy,
Don't think that you can do deals gap to Austin Tx in one day, 129 is a secondary road, not including gap, I doubt you'll average more than 45 miles an hour. You'd really have to hit interstate I think to have any chance of that.

OOPs, just checked your link, I thought you were talking about leaving LCU doing the GAP and getting to austin same day. Hitting Austin on the 17th would be doable the way you have it planned.
Chris

_JD_ · 08-10-2004, 05:23 AM

Randy,

Does it have sport pack or an even more focused setup? What color? Details!! Congrats btw.

Jim

eliseowner2b · 08-10-2004, 05:42 AM

Randy,
I live between Atl and deals gap. I picked up my Elise 5 days ago! I think what you are doing is awesome! You guys will have to come about 1/2 mile from my house to get to the gap (if you are taking route 129 Georgia to 64 west (n.c.) so if I can help in any way, please feel free to ask. Heck, Ill drive up to deals gap with you (excuse to get outta work). I've got a friend who owns a company called Lamin-x. (www.lamin-x.com) and I can work something out so he gets you some protection for your headlights/front turn indicators for the trip. (maybe put a link on your website?) The plastic lens of these lights are going to be very prone to pitting and this stuff is awesome! Let me know what I can do to help.
Dan Parker

Stan · 08-10-2004, 05:44 AM

What a cool idea! Long ago I drove cross country with my Dad. We still remember the great time we had. At the Time GE wanted me to drive 400 miles a day from NJ to CA. So we made it from NJ to Colorado by day two and then coasted. We stopped to enjoy all the sights out west. GE was cool about my expense account since the average *did* hit ~400 even though some days only had like 50-60 miles logged in... About 4-5 months later, I bought my first Lotus, a Europa.

Highlander · 08-10-2004, 05:45 AM

Randy.... I'm sure you would have a TON of volunteers to help you with the drive. Shoot, I'd have driven it out to Topeka for you!

Highlander · 08-10-2004, 05:51 AM

DANG!! I just looked at your plan. I have business out in Crossville TN this weekend and I am driving home on Monday. I was planning on hitting the Dragon on Monday afternoon anyway and would love to get a chance to say hi. I'll PM my cell number if you don't mind a drooling visitor in a Honda.

martinm1 · 08-10-2004, 06:58 AM

What fun. I did LA to Indy in 4 days in a Miata in 94 and then Indy to San Diego in the same Miata in 3 days in 96. There is really nothing quite like seeing the country this way.
I am envious!!

Ground Loop · 08-10-2004, 07:41 AM

Awesome trip!

This would be the closest thing to "factory delivery" so far. How's it going with Symbolic -- are they cool with the whole thing?

Steve W · 08-10-2004, 07:50 AM

I did 200 miles yesterday in the elise, on everything from very twisties to freeway.

At the end of it my ass was beginning to suffer, and by far the worst roads are concrete freeways. The constant bobbing motion over the stabs can be tiring after 10 minutes.

Good luck!

08-09-2004, 08:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,172 Images: 761	Roadtrip!!!! [blues brothers] We are on a mission[/blues brothers] Am I nuts? The journey starts Sunday. I appreciate your feedback about roads once you understand my general plans. The map is not done yet. This may explain some odd questions I have posed on the forums. I did not want to go public until it was certain that I was going and it was a concrete plan. This is why I needed to know if the car was waxed at the dealership... because I had a 2500 mile trip home. And why I needed to know how to mount a V1 BEFORE I had the car. Thanks to my trip sponsors, specially Sector111, and special thanks to Transio for being able to put together a nice web site on very short notice (this all happened in a short time). __________________ [b]* V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S [/b] We have been feeling the buzz since 2002 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. [color=orange]Monaco Orange. [/color]Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). [color=orange]Chrome Orange. [/color] Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. [color=blue]“Busy at times off the forum and scary* actually off the Internets. So I may not see your pm or emails for a while"[/color]

08-09-2004, 09:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
mact3333 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Portland Posts: 970	Randy, are you really going to take smaller roads for first 600 miles due to break in???...Im curious cause I was planning on driving my car a thousand miles home after delivery but I wasnt planning on taking no damn streets or even hwys...I need freeways cause Im too impatient and lazy!......you really think driving the first 600 miles on freeway would be detrimental to engine?? __________________ ardent/blk...lss...touring...HT..starshield...perhaps QS.

08-09-2004, 09:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,172 Images: 761	Small roads. Varied rpms. No real freeways until 600 miles. __________________ [b]* V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S [/b] We have been feeling the buzz since 2002 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. [color=orange]Monaco Orange. [/color]Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). [color=orange]Chrome Orange. [/color] Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. [color=blue]“Busy at times off the forum and scary* actually off the Internets. So I may not see your pm or emails for a while"[/color]

08-09-2004, 10:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
rtking Former Elise Owner Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 999	Drive safe, Randy! Looking forward to reading your travel diary! Bob __________________ Gone: Ardent Red/Biscuit Elise Current: 2004 Nissan Murano SL AWD 2004 Ducati ST3 2002 Mercedes C230 Coupe 1987 Mazda RX-7 1984 Mustang SVO

08-09-2004, 11:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,172 Images: 761	Thanks. I might be able to drive longer than others, but it will depend on the average speed I can do in the Elise. I am concerned I will do a slower speed because it will draw attention (tickets) and if I am off the main freeways. Normally I drive an average of 70-75mph (including fuel and pit stops) and can drive 1000-1100 miles in one day. I figure if I really tried, I could make it across in 3 days. BONZAI!!!! But maybe not this time. I can stop north of Austin and try to get into Austin sometime early Wednesday. Damn... the trip is getting longer. Maybe I can make it from Austin to San Diego in under 2 days. __________________ [b]* V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S [/b] We have been feeling the buzz since 2002 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. [color=orange]Monaco Orange. [/color]Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). [color=orange]Chrome Orange. [/color] Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. [color=blue]“Busy at times off the forum and scary* actually off the Internets. So I may not see your pm or emails for a while"[/color]

08-09-2004, 09:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
atyclb htdaab Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,830	he's comin' to Austin! I would think Autostrada would accomodate you--talk to Dacia (lotustalk) or Neil there.

08-09-2004, 10:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
heatmiser Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 55	Right on!

08-09-2004, 11:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
cranium Say hello to Jack Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: dc baby Posts: 338	No way your gonna make it from the gap to Austin in one day. You'll have to drive pretty far after the gap. And you'll definitely need a GPS if you want to make it on time, it'll be much more convienent on unkown roads and it will give you estimates. I know, I just drove from San Francisco to DC in 5 days. I had a $100 USB (from Best Buy) that connected to my laptop. Worked perfect, escpecially when there was massive backups or when I wanted to see where a road went.

08-10-2004, 12:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,172 Images: 761	And people think that sitting 16 hours a day in front of a computer isn't a good work out? __________________ [b]* V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S [/b] We have been feeling the buzz since 2002 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. [color=orange]Monaco Orange. [/color]Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). [color=orange]Chrome Orange. [/color] Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. [color=blue]“Busy at times off the forum and scary* actually off the Internets. So I may not see your pm or emails for a while"[/color]

08-10-2004, 01:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
zvezdah1 eliseaholic! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: georgia Posts: 6,773	Randy, Don't think that you can do deals gap to Austin Tx in one day, 129 is a secondary road, not including gap, I doubt you'll average more than 45 miles an hour. You'd really have to hit interstate I think to have any chance of that. OOPs, just checked your link, I thought you were talking about leaving LCU doing the GAP and getting to austin same day. Hitting Austin on the 17th would be doable the way you have it planned. Chris __________________ Chris Club111 #3 06 Solar yellow/Touring/Traction Ctrl/Blk Whl Pkg/Strshld

08-10-2004, 05:23 AM	#13 (permalink)
_JD_ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE of Georgia Posts: 2,435	Randy, Does it have sport pack or an even more focused setup? What color? Details!! Congrats btw. Jim __________________ Join Club 111

08-10-2004, 05:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
eliseowner2b Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgia Mtns Posts: 2,293	Randy, I live between Atl and deals gap. I picked up my Elise 5 days ago! I think what you are doing is awesome! You guys will have to come about 1/2 mile from my house to get to the gap (if you are taking route 129 Georgia to 64 west (n.c.) so if I can help in any way, please feel free to ask. Heck, Ill drive up to deals gap with you (excuse to get outta work). I've got a friend who owns a company called Lamin-x. (www.lamin-x.com) and I can work something out so he gets you some protection for your headlights/front turn indicators for the trip. (maybe put a link on your website?) The plastic lens of these lights are going to be very prone to pitting and this stuff is awesome! Let me know what I can do to help. Dan Parker __________________ Dan Parker 92 BMW 325 - JP Race Car 09 Jetta Tdi 06 Z4 M Coupe 09 Child on the way (anyone need a car?)

08-10-2004, 05:44 AM	#15 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,927	What a cool idea! Long ago I drove cross country with my Dad. We still remember the great time we had. At the Time GE wanted me to drive 400 miles a day from NJ to CA. So we made it from NJ to Colorado by day two and then coasted. We stopped to enjoy all the sights out west. GE was cool about my expense account since the average did hit ~400 even though some days only had like 50-60 miles logged in... About 4-5 months later, I bought my first Lotus, a Europa. Last edited by Stan : 08-10-2004 at 05:47 AM.

08-10-2004, 05:45 AM	#16 (permalink)
Highlander No Elise for me! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 179	Randy.... I'm sure you would have a TON of volunteers to help you with the drive. Shoot, I'd have driven it out to Topeka for you! __________________ '02 Honda S2000 Elise ordered 1/13/2005, expected mid June, arrived unexpectedly on 4/29, I had to pass...

08-10-2004, 05:51 AM	#17 (permalink)
Highlander No Elise for me! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 179	DANG!! I just looked at your plan. I have business out in Crossville TN this weekend and I am driving home on Monday. I was planning on hitting the Dragon on Monday afternoon anyway and would love to get a chance to say hi. I'll PM my cell number if you don't mind a drooling visitor in a Honda. __________________ '02 Honda S2000 Elise ordered 1/13/2005, expected mid June, arrived unexpectedly on 4/29, I had to pass... Last edited by Highlander : 08-10-2004 at 05:58 AM.

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08-10-2004, 06:58 AM	#18 (permalink)
martinm1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 53	What fun. I did LA to Indy in 4 days in a Miata in 94 and then Indy to San Diego in the same Miata in 3 days in 96. There is really nothing quite like seeing the country this way. I am envious!!

08-10-2004, 07:41 AM	#19 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,191	Awesome trip! This would be the closest thing to "factory delivery" so far. How's it going with Symbolic -- are they cool with the whole thing?

08-10-2004, 07:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
Steve W \/ My Car! \/ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,147	I did 200 miles yesterday in the elise, on everything from very twisties to freeway. At the end of it my ass was beginning to suffer, and by far the worst roads are concrete freeways. The constant bobbing motion over the stabs can be tiring after 10 minutes. Good luck! __________________ B Team Driver driver.