Lately I’ve been amazed at the leaps and bounds automotive manufacturers have been making the last few years in regards to fuel economy, at least in relation to engine power. A few examples? A 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6 rated with 305 horsepower and 29 miles per gallon (highway), and a 2011 Ford Mustang V6 also with 305 horses, but 31 mpg highway. These are just the base models with automatics, and yet their performance would put just about any Ferrari from the 80s or 90s to shame — all while sucking half as much fuel.
In light of this, I’ve been reassessing just how efficient my 2001 Audi TT Roadster Quattro really is. Once considered almost state-of-the-art, the 1.8-liter turbocharged engine puts out just 225 hp — a pretty amazing 125 hp/liter, but just two-thirds the output of the new pony cars’ larger-displacement base engines. And an EPA rating of 26 mpg highway. Not so impressive.
However, it seems like with any manual-transmissioned car, I can easily beat the EPA numbers. My TT does have a stick, so I wondered just what gas mileage I could get if I “tried.” Continue reading »
“One of the fitness standards that I set for myself a long time ago,” I said to Tori, “was that on any given day, I could bike 200 miles. I guess this would be a real test of that.”
Indeed, as a side effect of a high-mileage year for running, I’ve had the lowest-mileage year for biking ever since I started doing long-distance cycling events 17 years ago. I’ve actually run three times more than I’ve biked this year distance-wise. The number of times I have pedaled could be counted on my digits; my long ride in 2010 was a mere 40 miles.
But since the summer is winding down and the amount of daylight hours is decreasing, I figured I’d better squeeze in a 200-miler now to continue my annual double-century streak. Besides, I figured it would be a good way to whip me back into cycling shape. I call it the shock-and-awe approach. Continue reading »
“Grand Mesa is the largest flat-top mountain in the world,” said Phil, the organizer of the inaugural Grand Mesa 100-mile run at the pre-race meeting, “but you will find it is not flat.”
Phil then presented more information calmly and matter-of-factly as if it were the seven o’clock news. We probably should have interpreted the details, however, more like a warning that the Titanic was about to sink. Continue reading »
“I’m 29,” my friend Cat declared. “Again!”
Today was her birthday in which she decided to celebrate by running her age. Naturally I thought that was a great idea — having run my age in kilometers just a few weeks ago — but instead of running it metrically she insisted on the whole she-bang in miles. Less wimpy, you see.
I was a little puzzled, then, about why we were going to run 46 miles today instead of 29. It seemed like 17 extra-credit miles were a bit excessive. Continue reading »
Last month’s Tour de Coop was so fun and educational that Charis, Chris, Leah, Tori and I pounced on the opportunity to do a similar bike ride featuring trees. It seemed like a particularly good idea considering how I’m a self-professed lover of the Great Outdoors, but am even more of an ignoramus about leafy barky objects than edible feathered friends. Continue reading »
One of the great things about Memorial Day Weekend — aside from being a tribute to America’s fallen heroes and having three days off work — is that one can almost count on gorgeous weather, especially here in northern Colorado. So to kick off the traditional start of the summer season, Leah and I went for a hike and had a picnic atop of an icon of Fort Collins — Horsetooth Rock. Continue reading »
 "Caroline and Felix passing Carson Lake at Mile 42 of the Grand Mesa 100. (Photo: Ning, Caroline's pacer)")
 in the Fort Collins City Park playground. "Yours truly hugging a 90-year-old Northern Red Oak (a #2 champ) in the Fort Collins City Park playground.")
