Home  
Site Partners: SpotterGuides Veloce Books  
Related Sites: Your Link Here  

Go Back   TenTenths Motorsport Forum > Road Car Forums > Road Car Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 6 May 2001, 04:35 (Ref:89554)   #1
Valve Bounce
Veteran
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Australia
Home :)
Posts: 7,491
Valve Bounce has been held in scrutiny for further testing
What to do on a long trip

The most important things to do on a long trip is to avoid getting tired or worse to lose your concentration.
I am sure Ray has done many long trips, and he can give you his tips next. Here are mine to keep me alert.
I found out that the most important thing for me is not to eat much food at all because that makes me sleepy almost immediately.
So I always start off with a very light meal, toast and tea, and have light snacks on the way. I eat jelly beans because I love them, and I also stop quite often for coffee. If espresso is not available, then the ready made cappucino will do for me, plus sugar.
McDonalds are a godsend along the route, because they have excellent french fries, AND most importantly, they have the cleanest loos.
I like to have my favourite CD's in the cassette, and I enjoy Alabama and my wife loves Bocelli. Never wait until you are tired before looking for a place to stop. Some of the stops off the highway are a bit out of the way, and I don't like these; could be dangerous. Two or three hour stints with a good stop in between is not a bad idea. Losing a quarter or half an hour for a rest might make some people think they are not getting that mileage per hour - I say "So what?" Who cares?
I follow these practices, and enjoy my drive. For the record, I left Clayfield at 7.30 in the morning, mapped out my route to avoid the rush hour traffic in Brisbane, and arrived in Cooma at half past midnight. Of course, cruise control helped, because I didn't have to keep concentrating on my speed to avoid speeding - I just stayed at a constant speed at the speed limit.
Valve Bounce is offline  
Quote
Old 6 May 2001, 23:32 (Ref:89800)   #2
Diabando
Veteran
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Australia
Victoria, Australia
Posts: 588
Diabando should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridDiabando should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
To be honest, I had not really thought about this in any depth - I guess there is just a subconcious plan that I have always used.

Sleep - the most important thing! If I have a long trip, I always plan to leave early in the morning. So early to bed the night before, making sure I get lots of sleep, then, like VB, Toast and a cup of tea is the perfect starter.

(We would assume at this point, that the previous day, all tyre pressures had been checked, oil and water etc etc)

Then I just drive. Longest stint I have done is Melbourne to Sydney. Maybe two/three stops along the way, and I never pack food, it always ends up that little bit warm and old - to keep the mind fresh, I like to stop and get fresh food and a cool drink. Once again I agree with VB here, jelly beans are the way to go for munchies along the drive.
Diabando is offline  
__________________
"We can't all, and some of us don't. That's all there is to it." - Eeyore
Quote
Old 7 May 2001, 00:50 (Ref:89816)   #3
Wolf
Rookie
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location:
Zagreb, HR
Posts: 67
Wolf should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Over here we usually don't cover big distances (300-400 km, so there's n/p doing it in one go). I know many people who love making stops &c, but I prefer getting out of a car only on destination.

The biggest trip I've driven is night drive to Germany (600 km) during one night, conducting all the buissiness that I had to do over the day and night drive back; needless to say w/o any sleep over that period. And before you ask- I never had an accident in my life (only one 'controlled' spin).
Wolf is offline  
Quote
Old 7 May 2001, 04:58 (Ref:89830)   #4
Crash Test
Veteran
 
Crash Test's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 9,208
Crash Test should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridCrash Test should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
Not long ago, myself and a friend had to get ourselves home at 1 or 2am after a very long day at the Speedway up in Towoomba. Somehow we made it home, i think in a large part due to "Metalica S&M" blasting over the stereo for the trip home. Sure it ruined the stereo, but we made it home awake and in one piece
Crash Test is offline  
__________________
Love you long time
Quote
Old 13 May 2001, 11:57 (Ref:91732)   #5
Ray Bell
Veteran
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location:
Various parts of Australia
Posts: 2,221
Ray Bell should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Yes, I agree with Valve Bounce on a light meal.. but I use Minties (alternating with choc coated peanuts) to while away the hours...

Boredom is the problem. Lots of it when you head across the plains west of the great divide... constantly changing the ventilation system, moving about in the seat, little things that help keep one awake.

Strangely, I don't have a radio in my car (bought it from some people who are Brethren, they don't ever listen to radio or watch TV), so that's no help.

McDonalds have those 30c cones, too...

I do carry food and lollies, always. Crisps, maybe peanuts, can keep on nibbling when I want.

Picking up hitch-hikers is a good way of staying awake, too... or maybe taking someone with you. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with a monthly 1200km each way drive on my own lately, while other 200 to 400km trips are not unusual.

Just a shame we can't put the old right boot down and get on with the job of getting there...
Ray Bell is offline  
Quote
Old 14 May 2001, 03:26 (Ref:92129)   #6
djb
Veteran
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location:
Montreal
Posts: 1,802
djb should be qualifying in the top 3 on the griddjb should be qualifying in the top 3 on the griddjb should be qualifying in the top 3 on the griddjb should be qualifying in the top 3 on the grid
Tapes tapes and more tapes. A wide variety for the swing of the mood, and I have found that comedy ones have been a nice change. A good selection of munchies, fruit or veges too so you don't get all dried out.

The "try to get the most gas mileage" game is always fun. Imagining that a given long downhill stretch is not in a speedlimited country and you are actually driving something that would relish a top speed run or two, and that you do not have two kids in the back seat.

Back in my motorcycle days, there was always the trick of trying different hand positions; seeing how many 100's of revs you could pick up by lying prone, or by picking up a draft from a fast passing truck; could a tailwind give you a higher top speed than usual; using the dotted lines as an imaginary cone line to weave in and out (if getting sleepy) All kind of silly stuff to do, but hell, what else are you going to do sitting on a bike all day?

All in all, for car drives, I have to come back to the ample choice of music, it's what works for me.
djb is offline  
Quote
Old 14 May 2001, 11:43 (Ref:92244)   #7
elephino
Veteran
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location:
Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,058
elephino should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridelephino should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
I have lollies and CDs and if possible a passenger to talk to. And if I feel tired, pull over somewhere and have a good stretch, maybe eat something even after all those lollies.

Counting police cars on the way to Goulburn is a good game
elephino is offline  
Quote
Old 14 May 2001, 13:56 (Ref:92311)   #8
bella
Race Official
Veteran
 
bella's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1998
France
Posts: 16,760
bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!
hmm. well, i'm off to harrogate (2 and a half hours) on wednesday or thursday), and for munchies i'll have
pringles.
a big momma bar of dairy milk.
a chicken and tomato ketchup butty.

for entertainment i will have
'halfway...' - fatboy slim album
the may street project - shea seger (with 'clutch' on repeat)
the ultimate driving tune - american dream - jakatta.
prodigal sista - beverley knight.

i shall sing my heart out

and i always find watching for speed cameras and police cars is a pretty good way of staying awake. that and playing the age old guessing game 'how many miles to doncaster?'
bella is offline  
__________________
devils advocate in-chief and professional arguer of both sides
Quote
Old 14 May 2001, 15:31 (Ref:92334)   #9
Slowcoach
Racer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location:
Essex , England
Posts: 484
Slowcoach should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Best tip I've heard was from a workmate , when travelling round the M25 late at night she would shut a handful of her shoulderlength hair in the window and then if she dropped of the slightest nod of her head would pull her hair and wake her immediately - obviously that won't help the follicley challenged amongst you but a good tip for ladies and heavy metal fans........
Slowcoach is offline  
__________________
I live with fear every day.....sometimes she lets me race!
Quote
Old 14 May 2001, 21:31 (Ref:92544)   #10
KC
Veteran
 
Join Date: Sep 1998
United States
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 2,762
KC should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridKC should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
I will be travelling down to Texas this weekend for a family reunion and to see my parents and sister. The trip is 290 miles and I will be leaving just after work Friday evening at 5:00pm. That puts me there between 9:30pm and 10:30pm if everything goes to plan. One year I did strike a 90 pound deer on the drive and nearly destroyed my truck. Adding four hours to your drive while you get your vehicle towed away and find someone who will rent you a car on a holiday in rural Oklahoma is a pain in the arse.

As sunset will be at about 8:30pm and the long work day I will measure my tiredness after leaving Tulsa. If I am tired or sleepy I will pull over at a rest area and get a 20 minute nap then press on. I always keep something caffeinated to drink, usually Pepsi or Dr. Pepper, and maybe a light snack. I don't eat much because it makes me drowsy. I drive mostly at night because it is generally cooler and more comfortable. I will usually listen to my CDs, especially when away from town. Old country music can be depressing, especially out in the desolate countryside of Oklahoma where it is the only thing on the radio. If I can I will listen to talk radio about sports or politics because the shows are broken up into 15 minutes segments with commerical breaks. The segments make the hours seem to go by faster. However, due to the vagaries of AM band radio sometimes you can pick up distant stations sometimes you can't. I will also periodically change the lumbar adjustment on my seat, move the steering wheel tilt around or just squirm about to keep from getting to comfortable and getting drowsy. I sometimes turn off the cruise control to do the same thing.
KC is offline  
__________________
Never forget #99
Quote
Old 15 May 2001, 08:46 (Ref:92699)   #11
bella
Race Official
Veteran
 
bella's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1998
France
Posts: 16,760
bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!bella is the undisputed Champion of the World!
CRUISE CONTROL? luxery... i have to make do with a brick on the accelerator...
bella is offline  
__________________
devils advocate in-chief and professional arguer of both sides
Quote
Old 15 May 2001, 10:11 (Ref:92705)   #12
Airhead
Veteran
 
Airhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location:
Coffs Harbour, Australia
Posts: 3,366
Airhead should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridAirhead should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
Good to see everyone out there amongst it!!

In the car, Dylan or delta finger picking Blues interspersed with the sound of Banjos in the morning. Load and dangerous, singing blue murder down the highway.

But, on the Beemer - usually start by doubling the advisory signs on the corners and singing away in my head to Dylan etc..

Don't worry about food, but need to know where to lay the head for the night. Like this weekend, out west of Tenterfield to sleep in a rocky paddock at the Moto Guzzi Rally. All those open unpatrolled roads can see the Muffster and friends head down and bum up at 200 klms an hour. Sometimes you gotta go with it.
Airhead is offline  
__________________
I am grateful that I am not as judgemental as all those censorious, self-righteous people around me.
Quote
Old 15 May 2001, 17:08 (Ref:92887)   #13
Neil C
Ten-Tenths Hall of Fame
Veteran
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
United Nations
People's Republic of Ann Arbor, Michigan
Posts: 1,038
Neil C should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
A full-face brain bucket makes a wonderful echo chamber. Better than singing in the shower.

On a two week cross country ride, I replayed the entire They Might Be Giants CD "Flood" in my head for hours on end.

"Istanbul was Constantinople"
"Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople"
"Why did Constantinople get the works?"
"It's nobody's business but the Turks"-They Might Be Giants
Neil C is offline  
__________________
"Life is short...go deep."
Quote
Old 17 May 2001, 01:50 (Ref:93437)   #14
Wolf
Rookie
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location:
Zagreb, HR
Posts: 67
Wolf should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
The only tune in my car is both cylinders beating furiously... Besides, the engine is too loud for any kind of radio. Not that I complain.
Wolf is offline  
Quote
Old 10 Jun 2001, 13:18 (Ref:103345)   #15
DAVID PATERSON
Veteran
 
DAVID PATERSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Australia
Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Posts: 5,549
DAVID PATERSON should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridDAVID PATERSON should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridDAVID PATERSON should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
I often travel over 1,000km (600 miles) in a day. I always take CDs and tapes, you can't count on country radio. I always have jelly beans and i stop about every 2 hours and walk around for a few minutes. Definitely, get a good night's sleep before setting off. I keep an eye on the signs and convert the distances to the next towns into minutes, that wiles away the hours.
DAVID PATERSON is offline  
Quote
Old 11 Jun 2001, 05:00 (Ref:103717)   #16
elephino
Veteran
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location:
Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,058
elephino should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridelephino should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
Seems I went against all advice for my trip back from Canberra

Up until 4:30am, up again just before 8am. Did have lollies and stopped once (only a 3 hour trip).
elephino is offline  
Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
My Trip to Europe So Far modifica Sportscar & GT Racing 33 19 Oct 2005 13:08
Trip to Sebring Andy Zarse North American Racing 1 23 Mar 2005 15:08
road trip boyracer019 Trackside 2 1 Jun 2004 11:38
This year's trip - help please AllonFS Sportscar & GT Racing 6 10 Mar 2002 21:43


All times are GMT. The time now is 14:42.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Original Website Copyright © 1998-2003 Craig Antil. All Rights Reserved.
Ten-Tenths Motorsport Forums Copyright © 2004-2021 Royalridge Computing. All Rights Reserved.
Ten-Tenths Motorsport Forums Copyright © 2021-2022 Grant MacDonald. All Rights Reserved.