July Challenge - Setup

I've been away from the computer for a full week, enjoying a relaxing vacation in the smokey mountains. What a great way to unwind and see our country's natural beauty. Wow!

I'm now in Tampa setting up the final details of the Challenge route back to Chicago in the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am. I got my first and only test drive tonight as I drove it down the road 1 mile each way to pick up pizza - not exactly a full optimization of the car before the trip. The ScanGauge is hooked up though, and working like a champ. Tire pressures will be increased to max sidewall pressure (44 psi) and will be checked each morning before departure.

We will be packing the moving truck tomorrow morning (which is the main objective, despite my trip ambitions) and then starting the drive in the afternoon. Day 1 will begin just outside of Bradenton, FL and end in Gainesville, FL - approximately 160 miles. It'll be a short day to allow for loading the truck, but allows us to get a jump on the trip. Day 2 (Tuesday) will then drive North on I-75 from Gainesville to Nashville, TN which will knock off another 580 miles. Day 3 (Wednesday) will then take us North from Nashville on I-65 to Chicago for the final 470 miles or so. The others in my party are driving completely separate so that I am not attached to them in any way during the drive. The only connection is the starting and ending points throughout.

I will begin each day by filling the gas tank full of fuel (14.3 gals). Pictures will also be taken of the odometer and fuel receipts at each stop for proof of the fuel economy. At the completion of each day I will provide updates of the results on the blog.

Keep checking in and wish me luck!