Top MPG on website - does % above EPA make more sense?

[dcb]

Originally Posted by larrydag

I like the top MPG rankings on the website. But that is obviously skewed toward super efficient vehicles.

I think it is more specific than "vehicles" too, my vehicle isn't on the list. But then do you put the e-bike and toy scooter on the list too, or bike that was filled up once 4 months ago? I dunno.

[Lazarus]

I think there should be a top ten for least amount of fuel used.

[Nerys]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Why?

Are you capable of riding a bicycle 54 miles ONE way to work and then back again?

Even if I were an olympic grade athlete and could afford the $3,000 bike I do not think I could manage that on a daily basis. Your talking 110 miles DAILY and across one bridge where bikes are not allowed.

I am 6'4" over 300 pounds. Eve if I lose all my excess mass (working on it) I would not be capable of such a commute. Maybe once as a "I did it" kind of thing.

I did the math. it would take me roughly 3 hours to complete this journey and thats ONLY if I managed a sustained 20mph the entire 3 hours (I can not sustain 20mph for ten minutes not to speak of 3 hours) My max average is around 15-16mph on level terrain so now its a 4 hour NON stop commute each way and I have never tried to maintain such speeds for over 1 hour !!

so now I am looking at 8 hours travelling ad 12 hours work shift. there are only 4 hours left in the day. Not even enough to sleep not to speak of shower eating etc..

I followed along the MS150 I was in the ambulance running ham radio communications as a volunteer. the "GOOD" ones ie the ones trained and capable took over 5 hours to complete the route. (75 miles)

I have NO reasonable chance. When I had a second job at Radio shack locally it was a 50 minute bike ride. I DID do that whenever the weather was cooperative. Felt good too!

Even if I COULD manage the 4+ hours (probably closer to 5 hours in reality) I could not remain healthy and on my feet under those condition nor function properly at work under those condition for more than one or two days. Imagine 5 hours ride to work 12 hour shift and now its 0500 in the morning and its time for your 5 hours ride home? OH and in 3 hours you have to wake up again to do it all again!! I don't think so.

It just would not work. Thats why :-)

[tasdrouille]

Originally Posted by Nerys

Going to work would not work but it might be neat for getting around locally!!

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Why?

For the last 2 days I rode my bike to work. 7 miles each way. I'm proud I'm doing it, but it has some disadvantages.

I takes me just a bit under 30 minutes because of stops and lights, vs 10-15 minutes with my car as I take a longer route but with less traffic and stops.

When I get to work I need to take a shower and change. I wouldn't do it if there wasn't a shower at my workplace.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by Nerys

Are you capable of riding a bicycle 54 miles ONE way to work and then back again?

Even if I were an olympic grade athlete and could afford the $3,000 bike I do not think I could manage that on a daily basis. Your talking 110 miles DAILY and across one bridge where bikes are not allowed.

I am 6'4" over 300 pounds. Eve if I lose all my excess mass (working on it) I would not be capable of such a commute. Maybe once as a "I did it" kind of thing.

I did the math. it would take me roughly 3 hours to complete this journey and thats ONLY if I managed a sustained 20mph the entire 3 hours (I can not sustain 20mph for ten minutes not to speak of 3 hours) My max average is around 15-16mph on level terrain so now its a 4 hour NON stop commute each way and I have never tried to maintain such speeds for over 1 hour !!

so now I am looking at 8 hours travelling ad 12 hours work shift. there are only 4 hours left in the day. Not even enough to sleep not to speak of shower eating etc..

I followed along the MS150 I was in the ambulance running ham radio communications as a volunteer. the "GOOD" ones ie the ones trained and capable took over 5 hours to complete the route. (75 miles)

I have NO reasonable chance. When I had a second job at Radio shack locally it was a 50 minute bike ride. I DID do that whenever the weather was cooperative. Felt good too!

Even if I COULD manage the 4+ hours (probably closer to 5 hours in reality) I could not remain healthy and on my feet under those condition nor function properly at work under those condition for more than one or two days. Imagine 5 hours ride to work 12 hour shift and now its 0500 in the morning and its time for your 5 hours ride home? OH and in 3 hours you have to wake up again to do it all again!! I don't think so.

It just would not work. Thats why :-)

OK

[zjrog]

It would be easier to ride a distance like that with a group of people you like or at least tolerate... I've ridden 3 century rides and only one was even close to a 4 hour ride (like 4:10 or so), the rest were closer to 4:40 or so and I didn't hook up with a group. It does depend on you fitness level.

I'm 6'3" and almost 300# myself now, but even at my best cycling shape I was still 205-215... I can't "spin" for long, damn long legs, so I have to gear and grunt it all out. One of my MTBs I had a 52t chainring for the big ring. It did make a difference. Sometimes in training I pulled my trailer with 50# of weight in it up to 30 MPH in sprints behind my roady. I might not have been able to spin, but I could sprint for a bit. And climb hills.

Now, I'm just happy to get up the hill at all. First ride with the club this weekend (my 4x4 club that is, getting a few other fat butts like me out on the bikes...).

[Nerys]

Damn! #50 PLUS trailer to 30mph! wow :-)