Beat this - low fuel light distance record. (2 Viewers)

[lovetoski]

I had a road bike race in Eastern Washington and the low fuel light came on as I arrived. But, it was a 10 mile hill climb up Mt. Spokane and I'd never been there so I wanted to drive up it to get the GPS altitude to guage my race pace as I went.

Doug - how'd the race go?

One of my most memorable road races included a first stage up Mt Spokane. Thick fog on the bottom half, snow on the top half. Wind chill ~0F on top...all of the riders had to wait on top until every racer finished, then we had to ride back down. Very cold desent. Wearing only a skinsuit - can you say "shrinkage?"

Back to cruiser content...my wife ran the tank dry in our 80 and coasted into a gas station - put 24++ gals into it. She said she did about 60 miles with the light on, but it was in town driving.

 

[Harridig]

Doug - I was in Spokane for that storm as well. Not one I would want to be in again! My in-laws live in Rosalia (bout 35 minutes south of Spokane) and they lost power for awhile out there.

Put in 24.3g's one time - try to fill up before that point though.

I second Arya's request - your story had me on the edge of my seat!!!!

Derek

 

[fzj80kidpen]

Chiz45,
Interesting to note your gear weight and mileage.
My fuel light comes on at 257 with mixed driving.
All stock except the 285's

 

[NorCalDoug]

note to self: avoid eastern washington storms in late June

My record was 52 miles on the odometer, but that's with larger tires and aprox 10percent off on the odo, so actual was closer to 57. On fill up the tank took 24.7 gallons, so I guess I had 0.4 gallons left in the tank...I could've gone another 5 or 6 miles

 

[stayalert]

my old LR has 3 tanks and a 3 way switch on the dash. When it starts hesitating or bucking its a test of wits between my wife and as to I who throws the switch first. Its alittle unnerving as you're sputtering along waiting for the power to return.....Hmm...maybe when I put that rig back togtehr I'll fix the low fuel light....

 

[RavenTai]

3 tanks? nice, what is the total capacity?

 

[Newps]

When I was calling around about my electrical issue an few weeks ago, I spoke with a shop owner in Northern CA. who works on a ton of 80's. He said the fuel pump is in the tank and is cooled by the gas. If you run it low it will over heat and die an early death. He said to never run these trucks down to empty, unless you enjoy buying and installing new fuel pumps. I am guessing this is why our low fuel light comes on with 5 gallons left in the tank.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Doug,

The race went well considering I'd never been up this gnarly climb and decided to scout it in the 80. This took WAY longer than expected so I was kinda rushed and it blew my prerace routine. I was scrambling to get dressed in the parking lot, air up my tires, choke down a GU, whups - gotta take my shirt off to get the heart rate monitor on, etc, etc. I felt frazzled and didn't get a good warmup, which 44 year old bones like.

I took third, though the official results are not posted. I was surprised how much I 'enjoyed' this race as it's the most daunting climb in our area by far - supposed to mimic the Alp d'Huez climb in the Tour. All I can say is - wow! Approximately 3500 vertical feet in 10 miles though I had GPS reading issues in the heavily treed lower area.

Regards,

DougM