If you could do only one TTXGP event this year....

[Gavin]

Which would you go to...

I am trying to decide between Seca and Daytona...


Gavin

[Brammofan]

I think you already know my answer, but here it is, anyway: Daytona.
Why? Because I've been to Laguna Seca twice and I've never been to Daytona. Because Daytona is the World Championship and it's the first time it will be in the U.S.

That said, Laguna Seca is amazing.  I was so glad to see it, having raced it innumerable times on Playstation. Monterey is also an great place to visit, especially if you're a fan of John Steinbeck.

[FreepZ]

I'll be at Daytona. It's only a 50 minute drive from my office. (Or an hour and a half from my house.)

I'm betting that Virtually Yours will be going to Daytona too, since he's also relatively close.

[protomech]

Daytona. It's a 600 mile drive, or about 400 miles from my brother and his wife.

I'd love to visit Laguna Seca some day, but flying is substantially more expensive (and invasive, TSA can go DIAF).

[Deadly Silent Ninja]

If I could ride an Empulse either across the country, from Virginia to California, or down to Florida, I wouldn't mind even going to both. 
I would even document and publish the experience.

Unfortunately, I am pretty sure I won't have an Empulse by then. 

Maybe next year. I could plan the whole trip for the summer, map motels and restaurants that would let me plug in for free, build up a nice blog, produce a short documentary, write a nice travel journal, find a magazine to publish the story, sponsorship, etc... Hmmmm... That would be very feasible, actually.

A week's trip to Florida, or a month's trip to California. Well, that's it. That's my vacation plan for next year. I just hope no one tries to cross the country on an e-bike before then... But even if someone does, doing it on an Empulse would still be much cooler! 

[protomech]

I mapped out a route to Daytona on the Zero. Would take about two days (300 miles a day, 4 75 mile legs at ~40 mph (8h) and 3 quick charges (figure 90% in 2.5h, 3 kw off board charger).

Not super practical - even avoiding the interstates, most of those roads are 55-65 mph. Need a fairing badly for state highway touring.

Then need to source and test a 3 kw off board charger and find 220v service to plug into.

Empulse with a fairing could (if you squint) be a somewhat practical touring bike. Lightning claims 120 Wh/mile at freeway speeds .. so a 3 kW charger would charge at 25-30 mph at realistic touring speeds.

[Gavin]

Well my wife would prefer I go in the summer than in the fall...

So looks like Seca it is...

Now what? Hotel? Airplane? Drive out?

I would 100% drive out if I thought there would be something I need to haul back with me (i'm looking at you Eclipse Black Plus)...if not I will likely fly into Oakland and rent a car...

Sooooooo, any clues Brammo...should I fly or drive

And if I drive I could bring the Enertia and have a pit bike...

As for Hotels...Brammofan, what should I look for?

Thanks

Gavin

[Brammofan]

Hotels: look for something quickly, they tend to fill up for that week.  Seca is a State Park, so there's the camping option...but again, it fills up quickly.

I'm sending you a PM, btw.

[Gavin]

Cool...thanks...mmmm, Cali camping could be fun...again, all depends on flying vs driving...



Gavin

[Gavin]

the more i think about it, the better camping sounds...the camping is right at the track, so close...and the weather should be nice (though maybe a bit hot?)

i wonder if i can fit a tent and a few camping items in my carry on luggage

Still, the preferred way to go would be to drive out, camp and hang at the track and then drive back with a nice, shiny Plus in the back of the truck (I don't own a truck, but I think I can scrounge one up)...but that decision is out of my hands at the moment...

off to the interwebs to check out the campsites...and the night time temps...

Gavin

[Gavin]

Too Hot at night?

Ha, I lived in Berkeley for a couple years...I should have remembered (yes I was only 10 at the time...still)

I don't have to worry about it being too hot to camp in late July...

the famous quote of "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco" is very apt...

Gavin

[Gavin]

mmmm, all the camping sites are taken by the Race itself...

calling them now to see what up....


ok...all the "official" sites are gone...I can camp just outside of turn 9...would likely be "rough"...doubt picnic table, maybe firepit...tree for shade unlikely...sigh....

still....probably will grab that...I will be the dirty, smelly guy wandering the track in a semi daze come Sunday...

Gavin

[Brammofan]

There are showers at the track. (not including champagne showers)

[Gavin]

found an affordable little room in Salinas...so about 11 miles to the track...if I take the Enertia, well lane splitting should keep me from hitting too much traffic...

showers at the track? likely not for the fans, but the staff...not sure, even with all the pub i throw Brammos way, that I would be considered staff

Gavin


so room acquired (anybody want to sleep on the floor?)...

now just deciding on flying or driving....

[FreepZ]

Then need to source and test a 3 kw off board charger and find 220v service to plug into.

How would you connect the 3 kw charger to your bike? Is that an option that is specific to Zero?

Whenever I think about 220v, I think about clothes dryers that are in just about every home. If I could plug into that, it would be a lot faster than plugging into the standard 110v wall socket.