Interesting Development

Just a placeholder post here; got to get on the road. I think the character of the trip has changed some.

Turns out that the Tesla, with the extra weight (it’s really full) and the two bikes on the back (which affect its aerodynamic character) will not get near the number of miles on a charge that we expected.

It was a very close call last night between Mojave and Needles, perhaps the longest stretch without a supercharger on my trip. The car suggested that I drive more slowly to avoid running out in the middle of the Mojave Desert at night. I did about half the trip at 52 mph, and I turned the heat down to 60. Made it to Needles with about 30 miles to spare, but only because the last 20 miles or so was downhill. Got into the hotel room in Kingman just before 11:00 central time.

I hope to have time to write more tonight in Albuquerque or Amarillo (wow – there’s a country song for you), after stopping at every supercharger along the way.