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

[Au111]

Well, Randy - this explains why I was sure that you were mistaken about the east coast/west coast shipment! Congrats on swinging the deal - you are most deserving.

We expect plenty of Chase Cam Coverage (TM?) of the Elise Cannonball, and I hope you guys sandbag a little at Nats (gives the rest of us a fighting chance).

[Gromit]

Originally posted by Ground Loop
I'm guessing you're pretty handy with a soldering iron, or have lab-elves that are..

Rig up a custom power cable -- much nicer. I did this for travel and it cut down on the redundant plugs.

One lighter plug, then branch out into a 12vDC/DC adapter for the laptop, plugs for the GPS, radar detector, etc. "Hydra Cable!" Packs smaller, and it's easier to take out of the car.

A standard gps head can be powered, and communicated to, by a rs485 port. If I had any power at this company, I could get you one. Alas, I'm a peon

[Ground Loop]

RS-485? I've only seen that on the high-end GPS gear, I think my Trimble had that.

There are quite a few USB-powered GPS knobs with just a magnetic puck and no display, but I do like the nice LCDs they put on the Garmins and such.

I'm on my eighth GPS receiver now.. they just keep getting better.

I wonder if there's a place on the Elise to mount the DGPS beacon antenna.. 3 foot, fiberglass whip.. Maybe put a bright orange flag at the top for visibility..

[lbonham]

Sounds like you'll miss all of NoCal on this trip

But hope you have a fantastic journey. It will make a great photo album.

Here is the Elise doing the dragon...
Here is the Elise stopped at a local Austin waterin' hole
Here is the Elise cruisin' Route 66...
Here is the Elise getting reshod by Randy with help from a state trooper...

Well hopefully not that last one!

Have fun!

Larry

[cranium]

Originally posted by Gromit
A standard gps head can be powered, and communicated to, by a rs485 port. If I had any power at this company, I could get you one. Alas, I'm a peon

Get a USB one from Best Buy for $100. It'll meet the needs of this trip and comes with decent street software.

[zvezdah1]

Cherohala Skyway is a much nicer stretch of road (read: no posers or squids) YOu can have fun at the Gap even if you go at the posted speed - 45mph, unless it's changed, let me tell you 45 mph through a lot of the Gap is motoring.
Chris

[Highlander]

YOu can have fun at the Gap even if you go at the posted speed - 45mph, unless it's changed.

it's 30 for all of the Tennessee side.

[Hans Stuck]

Originally posted by zvezdah1
Cherohala Skyway is a much nicer stretch of road (read: no posers or squids) YOu can have fun at the Gap even if you go at the posted speed - 45mph, unless it's changed, let me tell you 45 mph through a lot of the Gap is motoring.
Chris

Ever notice how no one ever says "I'm a poser" or "I'm a squid".

Maybe the people who use those terms should reexamine themselves. It could be argued that part of the Elise's appeal is it's ability to draw attention. That lends itself to "posing" pretty well, doesn't it?

I wouldn't be so judgmental of the "posers" unless you can be certain that you don't engage in the same conduct. After all, what is the difference between you taking a nice drive at The Gap and someone else doing the same thing? You're not a poser? What makes that the case? Where's the distinction? The guy behind you in the Miata probably thinks YOU'RE THE POSER.

[Gromit]

Other than a head with wiggly-doodads that lives in the water; whats a squid ?

[Donovan]

Thanks for bringing something constructive to the table Hans. Man, talk about starting an argument just for the sake of arguing...

[Hans Stuck]

Originally posted by Gromit
Other than a head with wiggly-doodads that lives in the water; whats a squid ?

Not 100% sure....but I always thought it referred to the guys on sportbikes wearing shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers. The guys that rip around town doing wheelies to impress the people at the bus stop. My guess is that the "squid" term has to do with what those people look like when they are flat on their back and bleeding on the asphalt. Kind of squishy -- with their guts hanging out.

[Hans Stuck]

Originally posted by Donovan
Thanks for bringing something constructive to the table Hans. Man, talk about starting an argument just for the sake of arguing...

You're right. I retract that last post. Sorry to cause trouble. It just bugs me when someone feels superior for no earthly reason. Why is he more entitled to be there enjoying the roads vs. some "poser". How many World Driving Championships has he won?

[Donovan]

Ok you just redeemed yourself!

I personally have won many championships on Gran Tursimo 3...

[Ground Loop]

Originally posted by Hans Stuck
Not 100% sure....but I always thought it referred to the guys on sportbikes wearing shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers. The guys that rip around town doing wheelies to impress the people at the bus stop. My guess is that the "squid" term has to do with what those people look like when they are flat on their back and bleeding on the asphalt. Kind of squishy -- with their guts hanging out.

Naw, 'squid' refers to their motion in traffic. They spurt forward with a blast of throttle only to be slowed by traffic and grab a handful of brakes. They dart between lanes, then sprint ahead to be the first one at the red light.

Then, in turns, they're even worse. They wheelie down the straight, then grab the binders to come to standing stop before entering the corner. As soon as they see the exit, they open up the power in an effort to save face.

There's often a high correlation between 'squid' driving and wearing flip-flops, shorts, and an orange vest required by commanding officer.

[Gromit]

Originally posted by Hans Stuck
Not 100% sure....but I always thought it referred to the guys on sportbikes wearing shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers. The guys that rip around town doing wheelies to impress the people at the bus stop. My guess is that the "squid" term has to do with what those people look like when they are flat on their back and bleeding on the asphalt. Kind of squishy -- with their guts hanging out.

Nar. Those guys are organ donors And the don't taste as nice. Too gritty.

[NtflBlueLiz]

Originally posted by Randy Chase
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.

Randy, as I wote in the other thread, the engine/wind noise gets pretty tiring in the Liz. Take some ear plugs or a good headset to protect your ears! have a great trip! and yes you are NUTZZZ for taking this long of a trip!

[Biomax]

Randy

If you do come through Houston on your way to Austin (which I somehow doubt), email me first, as I'd love to buy you dinner after all these years of chatting w/o meeting each other.

Robert

[Miguel]

Robert you blew your cover!!!

your location was supposed to be secret

[clrodrick]

Wow, talk about a roadtrip.

Color me interested to find out what all that extended driving in a LSS Elise will feel like.

[eliseowner2b]

I second that on the earplugs. With the top off and the windows up I could not talk on a good cell phone headset. The caller said he couldn't understand me as there was too much wind. Now I don't think it's very windy in the car at speed but I can't talk on a cell phone with the top off. I know someone is going to rag on me for talking on a cell while driving my elise but let me tell you, it was just to call people because I couldn't believe how great the car is!