Date:         Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:33:59 -0800
Reply-To:     Chad Lyles <chad.lyles@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chad Lyles <chad.lyles@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: NOVC Comment on fuel economy, drag and velocity
Comments: To: FrankGRUN@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <bd1.2683d1a4.34c90d75@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

wow~ you went over 88mph and you didnt go back in time??? your flux
capacitor must have been malfunctioning! "McFLY!!!!"
just kidding;)
whats it like traveling roughly 1/10th the speed of sound? my vanagon only
(safely) travels at 55mph... must be nice :)
cheers!

Chad~
84GL

On Jan 23, 2008 1:36 PM, Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@aol.com> wrote:

> This past weekend, SWMBO and I delivered my daughter's 21-speed full
> suspension mountain bike (XMAS present) to her at her Humboldt State
> University
> address from southern California. It was mounted to the trunk with a
> strap-based
> temporary carrier. The Vehicle in question is our 2005 BMW 330i with
> performance
> package. Average velocity along interstate 5 was 80.6 mph as reported by
> the
> computer and BMW nav system, with a high speed of 95 and a low of 44. Trip
> fuel
> economy from SoCal to Arcata was 19.8 mpg of premium at $3.76 per gallon
> average. Trip economy for the return venture was 28.4 mpg with an average
> speed of
> 82.3 mph. Same tires, same roads, no attempt to resolve net height
> variations, temperature differences, precipitation levels. Probable weight
> delta of 22
> pounds less for the return trip given the removal of bike and carrier, but
> addition of arctic temperature clothing.
>
> Take Home Lesson: 30% fuel economy loss at average speed of 80 mph with
> mountain bike perpendicular to direction of propagation. Not a lot of
> surface area.
> Large effect.
>
> For your amusement and perusal.
>
> Frank Grunthaner
>
>
> **************
> Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in
> shape.
>
> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
>



--
Chad~
84gl "Hop-a-long"