Date:         Wed, 1 Aug 2007 11:40:09 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Excellent Rig...In praise of my Vanagon.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

 In the past 4 weeks, I've logged four road trips in my van, traveling to
various bicycle races around the northwest, and it has been exactly right
for the job.  From my home base, it's at least 90 miles to anywhere and I
always seem to need at least two bikes and about 8 wheels.  When I get to
the venue of the race, I have my own changing room, kitchen, refrigerator,
sink, bed, etc.
  I get all kinds of jealous looks when I flop down on my "couch" with an
ice cold drink after races.  I've done a few 'night before' drives so I
could arise after a good nights sleep and be right there.  Cook up some
coffee and a pre-race meal and hit the course very fresh..No messing with
motel reservations or scrambling bikes up a set of stairs and off and on car
racks..
  Put on about 1200 miles at 23-24mpg, so far, and we have a ~400mi Canadian
trip coming this next week. Planning on taking a whole week-do a little
messing around in the Canadian Rockies before a weekend of racing with the
BC Master's cycling association near Pentiction..This trip, I'll have 3
bikes and two dogs along, plus my S.O.
  What other type vehicle could do this in such style?
  Don Hanson