Long distance loony

Hey guys... here's a blog post I wrote after about 30 hours of no sleep and far too much caffeine. Dunno how many of you can relate...

http://www.auto-venus.com/en/the-looniness-of-the-long-distance-driver/89/

I can relate for sure. When i picked up the miata, i left here by plane at 6am, arrived in California at 9am. (Really 6 hours later.) I then picked up the car, and made it into Grand Junction by 4:30am the following day, slept for about 2 hours, then made it another day.

Left the following day after about 6 hours of sleep, and hoofed it all the way back here stopping once for 3 hours. It was brutal, but fun.

Maybe they should make peel-offs for when you're on a road trip and you can just rip it off when you're done.

After spending 41 hours non stop in a van with three other half insane dirt bike buddies, I can relate. And I've wondered about the whole 'endurance race potty break' thing myself.

In reply to Curmudgeon:

I've heard that they just pee in the seat, but that they're supposed to let the mechanics know once they pit, so they're not looking for the source of the fluid.

I hate being so buzzy that large black goblins jump out of the ditches in front of the car - that's when I know it's time to stop.

See the UK Top Gear episode about endurance racing a diesel BMW for more info about potty breaks.

In reply to Curmudgeon:

"Let er rip." It keeps you cool.

You guys never heard of a "Texas Special?" Sorry, Lesley, they don't make one fer da ladies.

Lesley said: Those gigantic bugs that hit your windshield at high velocity with such force that they seem to be wearing helmets - can they actually crack the glass?

No insect packs quite enough mass and hardness to damage windshield glass, only enough to make a loud noise as they crack open.

Lesley said: Has 3M ever looked into making glue with whatever it is that makes their guts adhere so well?

Excellent question! I want some clear coat made of that stuff.

Lesley said: Is it a good idea to follow the honkin' big trucks so they can act as a deer-foil, dispersing them across the road in more manageable pieces by smaller vehicles?

Depends on whether you fear the deer or the flying rocks and road gators more.

Lesley said: Does this work well once you're in territory where the Bambi signs have given way to "yield moose"? Can a moose take out a semi?

Let me put it this way: Hitting a deer in a semi is like hitting a dog in an SUV, and hitting a moose in a semi is like hitting a deer in an SUV.

Lesley said: If you break down in the vast uncharted territory up north, will wolverines eat your tires?

No, they're too tough and taste awful

Lesley said: What DO Le Mans drivers do when they have to "go"? Catheter and a leg bag? Just let 'er rip? Maybe I don't want to sit in one of those old GT40s after all...

Go before and after, dietary planning goes into it.

Lesley said: Is there really a boundary line beyond which you won't find anything nicer auto-wise, than an IROC?

Not really a boundary, but there are certain zones...

Lesley said: Does your vehicle consume more fuel if you have your high beams on?

A tiny bit.

All I know is that when racing dirt bikes you discover that if you try to just 'let it rip' then you run into a problem where your body sorta wants to shut down other things till the, er, 'rippin' is done. Makes it real hard to ride. BTDT, damn near clobbered a tree. I can't imagine doing that at 160 or better.

You'd think the odor of the 'fluid' would be a big tipoff that it didn't come from the engine.

I liked your article but I feel a little less manly after going to that website. Do I still have my man card?

RossD wrote: I liked your article but I feel a little less manly after going to that website. Do I still have my man card?

It has cars in it, what are you worrying about?

30 hours? 40 hours? Hows about 92 hours of insanity when I went to pickup my rally car from Oregon last October with my buddy?

You can read all about it in my build thread, but needless to say, "probably" not going to do that again. And it rained the WHOLE F'IN TIME

mguar wrote: Bring books on tape/CD/ whatever.. They make miles disappear.. Find subjects you like, hold your interest and you'll be shocked at how long you can drive.. 18 hours non-stop recently. 36 solid hours in the past.. It engages your mind listening to plot points or keeping characters straight in your mind. But your eyes are watching the road etc.. No way to nod off.. With your mind busy you forget how stiff you are or other pains that would distract you. Music? won't keep you awake when really beat and allows you to be distracted by how stiff and sore you are. etc.. Not a good book.. (on tape/CD, whatever) Most good books are at least one fuel stop long.. 6-7-8 hours long Fast food is a no-no. All that fat will make you sleepy. Try apples, salads etc.. (I shouldn't talk about that because if you looked at my shape you'll know I'm full of it) Actually I'm in perfect shape, just as long as round is a shape... Eat sunflower seeds.. splitting the seeds out of the shells and spitting the shells into a cup etc.. A giant bag will take you a couple of days. Plus there isn't a lot to fill you up. They will also help keep you awake . The salt will dry you up, keep plenty of water handy . Pop is a no-no same with energy drinks or caffeinated beverages.. Too much caffeine can actually cause you to be droozy.. AS far as potty breaks.. Trucks and men have an advantage. That same giant sized pop bottle can be refilled without spilling a drop, capped and simply dropped into the trash at the next gas stop. The other? Well, only solution there is to be driving a RV and switch drivers..

I do the books on tape and the sunflower seeds. I learned about he seeds in the Army, it is amazing how well they work at keeping you awake.

RossD wrote: I liked your article but I feel a little less manly after going to that website. Do I still have my man card?

If you're worrying about your man card, its because it has already been revoked.

mguar wrote: AS far as potty breaks.. Trucks and men have an advantage. That same giant sized pop bottle can be refilled without spilling a drop, capped and simply dropped into the trash at the next gas stop. The other? Well, only solution there is to be driving a RV and switch drivers..

You must be being charitable. In my expereince they rarely wait for the next truck stop. Along Hwy. 401 (and the other major highways in Onatrio) you see those bottles along the side of the road . . . . .

That aint apple juice kids.

I understand the people who mow the highway medians love those things, after they've cooked in the sun for a while and they run over them with their mower.

I can relate! I moved from Nova Scotia to the prairie (50 hour drive).

I do use semis as "blockers" for deer/moose.

Several years ago, I foolishly followed up a two-day race school at Shannonville Motorsports Park with an 8 hour lapping day at Calabogie track (near Ottawa).

24 hours of track time - not that I was on the track the entire time, but wow - it was a bit much. I knew the day was at an end when my foot slipped off the brake heel-and-toeing into the right-hander after the long straight. And my passenger was not amused... (all ended well, but it was time to rest).

stuart in mn wrote: I understand the people who mow the highway medians love those things, after they've cooked in the sun for a while and they run over them with their mower.

REEEETTTCCHHH...

Kyle Petty once said,when asked about the P thing, said that you sweat so much there is nothing left to fill the bladder.

iceracer wrote: Kyle Petty once said,when asked about the P thing, said that you sweat so much there is nothing left to fill the bladder.

There is probably some truth to that.

Keep one of these in the glove compartment for removing those bug guts from the glass.

If your not listening to anything, try ear plugs.

Used some on a long drive awhile back and I noticed much less fatigue. Any noise wears on you after awhile.

I would guess that there are phases what noise would actually help, but early on I find quiet keeps me from getting tired.

NEVER make the mistake of not stretching in your seat. Drove our old Aerostar with captians seats without moving around at all and about had to be pried from the seat I was so stiff. Move around a bit!

NGTD wrote: In my expereince they rarely wait for the next truck stop. Along Hwy. 401 (and the other major highways in Onatrio) you see those bottles along the side of the road . . . . . That aint apple juice kids.

I see a LOT of these bottles so I started pointing them out to the wife and now she is amazed at how many people are peeing into jugs and tossing them out the window.

It gives her another reason to use more hand sanitizer and avoid Chinese buffets.

Ew man, that's so nasty!

Sorry about the man card thing, shoulda given you some warning. Don't worry - it's only temporary... I'm sure it will grow back.