I made it to the Baltimore, MD. area yesterday morning.
The trip has been great so far, with excellent weather, fantastic scenery and wonderful people.
But. This will be as far as I am going for a while, due to an unscrupulous motel owner who placed fraudulent charges on my debit card and wiped out all of my funds!
I am now trying to locate employment in this area before my on hand cash runs out.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
June 22, 2008, in Reamstown, PA
I made it to Reamstown, PA yesterday, where I am holed up for a couple of days to let a strained stomach heal up a bit. I had hoped to be here the day before but the hills here in PA were killers. I ended up pulling or straining a stomach muscle trying to get up one of them. I walked the rest of the steeper hills after that.
Cut the day short just east of Bowmansville, PA. Another 10 miles and I would have been here but didn't want to risk making it any worse so I stayed at the Sun Valley campground. Very nice camping area and I was so relieved to be there, where I could rest. But much to my dismay my tent site was at the very top of another very steep hill. I barely made it.
Next morning I got a visit from an older gentleman who noticed my sign on the back of my trailer. He had worked at a refinery for one of the major oil companies and retired a while back. He confirmed what a lot of us have suspected. The price we are paying for fuel is inflated. The oil companies will sell their own oil pumped from their own wells to themselves at whatever the going price of oil is, regardless of the actual cost to pump it from their own wells. That so called higher priced oil is used as the reason to raise the prices of the refined products. Diesel fuel is a prime example. It takes LESS refining to make it and it was always lower priced than gasoline. Why then is it now higher priced than even premium grade gasoline? Simple greed and the belief by the oil companies that no one will challenge them.
That is what I hope to change, if of course I can survive the grueling hills still to go here in PA. I'm sure I will. I just wish everything here wasn't always uphill. Even this motel is uphill from the road.
Other than the large volume of rather steep hills, all is going well. Weather has been excellent. Scenery is spectacular and have had quite a few folks honking their horns and waving in support. Of course, there have been some honking because I was in their way and they had to slow down until they could get past me. I even had a few others ride along with me from time to time. I expect to make it to Mt. Joy, PA tomorrow at least.
Cut the day short just east of Bowmansville, PA. Another 10 miles and I would have been here but didn't want to risk making it any worse so I stayed at the Sun Valley campground. Very nice camping area and I was so relieved to be there, where I could rest. But much to my dismay my tent site was at the very top of another very steep hill. I barely made it.
Next morning I got a visit from an older gentleman who noticed my sign on the back of my trailer. He had worked at a refinery for one of the major oil companies and retired a while back. He confirmed what a lot of us have suspected. The price we are paying for fuel is inflated. The oil companies will sell their own oil pumped from their own wells to themselves at whatever the going price of oil is, regardless of the actual cost to pump it from their own wells. That so called higher priced oil is used as the reason to raise the prices of the refined products. Diesel fuel is a prime example. It takes LESS refining to make it and it was always lower priced than gasoline. Why then is it now higher priced than even premium grade gasoline? Simple greed and the belief by the oil companies that no one will challenge them.
That is what I hope to change, if of course I can survive the grueling hills still to go here in PA. I'm sure I will. I just wish everything here wasn't always uphill. Even this motel is uphill from the road.
Other than the large volume of rather steep hills, all is going well. Weather has been excellent. Scenery is spectacular and have had quite a few folks honking their horns and waving in support. Of course, there have been some honking because I was in their way and they had to slow down until they could get past me. I even had a few others ride along with me from time to time. I expect to make it to Mt. Joy, PA tomorrow at least.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Gas Saving Tips
There are a few things you can do yourself to get better mileage out of your vehicle.
The most common overlooked item is the tire pressure. Make sure, on a weekly basis, that all 4 of your tires are inflated to the correct tire pressure. The correct tire pressure for your vehicle should be listed on a sticker or small metal plate located on the driver side door, inside by the latch.
Even 3 or 4 lbs under pressure will have a reduced effect on your mileage and most likely you will not be able to notice, by sight, a tire that is even 10 lbs under pressure.
Don't trust the pressure gage on the air pump being used to inflate your tires to give the correct pressure. They can be off by as much as 5 lbs over or under. The best method to check tire pressure is with a dial type air gauge, purchased at most auto parts stores. Some dept. stores will have them also in their auto dept. It looks like the dial gauge you would see on a water well pump tank or air compressor with a needle pointing to the numbers on the dial. These are much more accurate.
Change your air filter.
If you haven't had a new one put in within the past year, it is advisable to take it out and check it. If you can not clearly see visible light coming through the filter when held up to the sky, replace it with a new one.
If you have never replaced one yourself, it's quite easy to do. Most are located in one or two places on all vehicles. Some of the older vehicles will have the filter on top of the engine. look for a round, oval, rectangle or square box, usually black with a air hose of least 2 inches in diameter attached to it. The hose will look kind of like the hose on a shop vac vacuum. Most filter holder on these vehicles will be held in place by wing nuts. Twist them off to remove the top and get to the filter
On new vehicles the top is held in place withs bolts or screws, and the only time you may see a wing nut is when the occasional odd neighbor or in law stops in for a visit.
On most newer vehicles the air filter will located on the driver side of the vehicle up near the front. It will most often be rectangle or square and also have a black cover.
Use caution when undoing your filter holder, if your air hose has any electrical wires leading to object attached to the air hose. These objects are part of your computer controlled engine system and can be quite expensive to replace if you damage them.
Change your spark plugs.
A bit more difficult to do on a lot of the newer vehicles and some can not be changed without placing the vehicle on a lift to gain access to the plugs behind the engine, up against the firewall. However, if you can see and access all of the spark plugs, remove and inspect them. If the electrode point in the center of the plug is worn, or the gap is too large, replace with new ones. The electrode in the center should have sharp crisp edges. If they are rounded, the electrode is worn. Most plugs will last for about 30,000 miles, less if you do mostly stop and go city driving.
The most common overlooked item is the tire pressure. Make sure, on a weekly basis, that all 4 of your tires are inflated to the correct tire pressure. The correct tire pressure for your vehicle should be listed on a sticker or small metal plate located on the driver side door, inside by the latch.
Even 3 or 4 lbs under pressure will have a reduced effect on your mileage and most likely you will not be able to notice, by sight, a tire that is even 10 lbs under pressure.
Don't trust the pressure gage on the air pump being used to inflate your tires to give the correct pressure. They can be off by as much as 5 lbs over or under. The best method to check tire pressure is with a dial type air gauge, purchased at most auto parts stores. Some dept. stores will have them also in their auto dept. It looks like the dial gauge you would see on a water well pump tank or air compressor with a needle pointing to the numbers on the dial. These are much more accurate.
Change your air filter.
If you haven't had a new one put in within the past year, it is advisable to take it out and check it. If you can not clearly see visible light coming through the filter when held up to the sky, replace it with a new one.
If you have never replaced one yourself, it's quite easy to do. Most are located in one or two places on all vehicles. Some of the older vehicles will have the filter on top of the engine. look for a round, oval, rectangle or square box, usually black with a air hose of least 2 inches in diameter attached to it. The hose will look kind of like the hose on a shop vac vacuum. Most filter holder on these vehicles will be held in place by wing nuts. Twist them off to remove the top and get to the filter
On new vehicles the top is held in place withs bolts or screws, and the only time you may see a wing nut is when the occasional odd neighbor or in law stops in for a visit.
On most newer vehicles the air filter will located on the driver side of the vehicle up near the front. It will most often be rectangle or square and also have a black cover.
Use caution when undoing your filter holder, if your air hose has any electrical wires leading to object attached to the air hose. These objects are part of your computer controlled engine system and can be quite expensive to replace if you damage them.
Change your spark plugs.
A bit more difficult to do on a lot of the newer vehicles and some can not be changed without placing the vehicle on a lift to gain access to the plugs behind the engine, up against the firewall. However, if you can see and access all of the spark plugs, remove and inspect them. If the electrode point in the center of the plug is worn, or the gap is too large, replace with new ones. The electrode in the center should have sharp crisp edges. If they are rounded, the electrode is worn. Most plugs will last for about 30,000 miles, less if you do mostly stop and go city driving.
Monday, June 2, 2008
I'm giving up all I own to make this happen. I should have all my possessions sold shortly and be on the road by the end of June, at latest.
With the closing of so many auto plants and so many lay offs, getting this done may help save thousands of jobs and a lot of the local economies dependent on a local plant that targeted for closure.
What can you do to help?
Let as many people know about this blog site as you can to help spread the word. The more people that become involved, the easier and quicker this could happen.
Contact your state Senate and Congress reps via email and let them know you support the idea of the diesel electric and ask if they are willing to lend support to any legislation to get this going if needed as well as getting them to take away those federal subsidies that are given to the oil companies and put that money into any companies willing to manufacture diesel electric system. The url for each is listed below.
U.S. Senate:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
U.S. Congress:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
Contact the auto manufactures and let them know you want to see these vehicles put into production asap. I understand GM is working on one.
Ford Motor Company:
https://secure.ford.com/footer/contact-ford/contact-us-email?
contactMainTopic=GeneralCorporate
GM:
https://www.gmideas.com/gmideas/ideas?action=NewIdea
Chrysler:
http://www-5.chrysler.com/wccsapp/universal/C/index.jsp?appStr=wccs&titleStr=Contact+Chrysler&familyStr=brand&franchise=C&actionURL=%2Fwccs%2Fbrand_forms%2Fus%2Fwebform.jsp&promotion=null&category=N
With the closing of so many auto plants and so many lay offs, getting this done may help save thousands of jobs and a lot of the local economies dependent on a local plant that targeted for closure.
What can you do to help?
Let as many people know about this blog site as you can to help spread the word. The more people that become involved, the easier and quicker this could happen.
Contact your state Senate and Congress reps via email and let them know you support the idea of the diesel electric and ask if they are willing to lend support to any legislation to get this going if needed as well as getting them to take away those federal subsidies that are given to the oil companies and put that money into any companies willing to manufacture diesel electric system. The url for each is listed below.
U.S. Senate:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
U.S. Congress:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
Contact the auto manufactures and let them know you want to see these vehicles put into production asap. I understand GM is working on one.
Ford Motor Company:
https://secure.ford.com/footer/contact-ford/contact-us-email?
contactMainTopic=GeneralCorporate
GM:
https://www.gmideas.com/gmideas/ideas?action=NewIdea
Chrysler:
http://www-5.chrysler.com/wccsapp/universal/C/index.jsp?appStr=wccs&titleStr=Contact+Chrysler&familyStr=brand&franchise=C&actionURL=%2Fwccs%2Fbrand_forms%2Fus%2Fwebform.jsp&promotion=null&category=N
The Problem & Solution
I've decided to do this to promote, and get the ball rolling to remove the stranglehold being placed on us all from the high pricing of oil that is resulting in such high gas pricing and contributing to the rising cost of just about all products that we need every day. Some say it's a waste of my time, and maybe being only one person I may not, but it has to start somewhere sometime, by someone before it far too late.
Most people I have talked with so far want to blame the oil companies and politicians in Washington for the problem. They may indeed be a part of the problem as well as the commodities speculators, trying to get the most out of each investment and praying the oil prices keep rising.
However, if you look in the mirror, you may just see the biggest cause for it. It's all of us together as a nation. The automobile, one of our most treasured possessions, that give each and everyone of us our independence and freedom to travel anywhere at anytime we wish, and we do not want to give it up. We shouldn't have to either if we get started on solving the problem.
So many seem to think we can elect someone to go to Washington and solve it for us. I think not unfortunately, at least not always. Look at the results of the last major election where the Democrats took over the majority, because we said indeed we wanted changes made form the past few years. Not much change is there. Good intentions, yes.
The only sure way to get this done is by all of us working together as a nation. We must start to consume less oil now and work quickly towards being dependent free of all foreign oil. But how, without making the sacrifice of giving up our vehicles?
Nobody wants a shitty 3 wheel electric car that can only go about 75 miles before recharging is needed and until recently, few would buy the hybrid cars on the market.
Not worth the extra cost compared to how much gas would saved over the three year life a lease or if it was traded back in. Seems three years is the most common time span a new car is kept, it's said.
My thoughts are a diesel electric vehicle. The same type of motor system used in the larger locomotives, but on a much smaller scale. All of the needed components are readily available. Electric motors and drive trains that will work with any vehicle no matter the size of it are possible. Ford used them in the small pickup they had to offer for sale in California a few years back before a stupid federal judge ruled against California for requiring them. They discontinued them and forced all lease holders to turn them back in as the lease expired. They were not given the option to purchase them as with most leased vehicles. Ford sold them all to another company and one of them even turned up on eBay for sale.
Telsa motors, also in California, has an all electric car that will travel about 200 miles at 65 mph without a problem. Granted it's a small sports car and quite pricey, but it shows that the electric motors and drive trains do indeed work well.
Now back to the diesel electric that can work on any size vehicle we desire to drive. Gas can be used also for the engine, but diesel engine is more efficient and can be run on vegetable oil also which is what the original diesel was designed to run on.
The way it is designed to work is by the diesel engine only being used to power a generator that would supply the electricity for the motor. Quite efficient and four gallons could last for 10 hours or more. I had small generator for home power and four gallons lasted me 12 hours. Any and all body styles being manufactured today can still be used as is with this system also. Only changes needed to be made would be the engine and drive train under the hood.
Most people I have talked with so far want to blame the oil companies and politicians in Washington for the problem. They may indeed be a part of the problem as well as the commodities speculators, trying to get the most out of each investment and praying the oil prices keep rising.
However, if you look in the mirror, you may just see the biggest cause for it. It's all of us together as a nation. The automobile, one of our most treasured possessions, that give each and everyone of us our independence and freedom to travel anywhere at anytime we wish, and we do not want to give it up. We shouldn't have to either if we get started on solving the problem.
So many seem to think we can elect someone to go to Washington and solve it for us. I think not unfortunately, at least not always. Look at the results of the last major election where the Democrats took over the majority, because we said indeed we wanted changes made form the past few years. Not much change is there. Good intentions, yes.
The only sure way to get this done is by all of us working together as a nation. We must start to consume less oil now and work quickly towards being dependent free of all foreign oil. But how, without making the sacrifice of giving up our vehicles?
Nobody wants a shitty 3 wheel electric car that can only go about 75 miles before recharging is needed and until recently, few would buy the hybrid cars on the market.
Not worth the extra cost compared to how much gas would saved over the three year life a lease or if it was traded back in. Seems three years is the most common time span a new car is kept, it's said.
My thoughts are a diesel electric vehicle. The same type of motor system used in the larger locomotives, but on a much smaller scale. All of the needed components are readily available. Electric motors and drive trains that will work with any vehicle no matter the size of it are possible. Ford used them in the small pickup they had to offer for sale in California a few years back before a stupid federal judge ruled against California for requiring them. They discontinued them and forced all lease holders to turn them back in as the lease expired. They were not given the option to purchase them as with most leased vehicles. Ford sold them all to another company and one of them even turned up on eBay for sale.
Telsa motors, also in California, has an all electric car that will travel about 200 miles at 65 mph without a problem. Granted it's a small sports car and quite pricey, but it shows that the electric motors and drive trains do indeed work well.
Now back to the diesel electric that can work on any size vehicle we desire to drive. Gas can be used also for the engine, but diesel engine is more efficient and can be run on vegetable oil also which is what the original diesel was designed to run on.
The way it is designed to work is by the diesel engine only being used to power a generator that would supply the electricity for the motor. Quite efficient and four gallons could last for 10 hours or more. I had small generator for home power and four gallons lasted me 12 hours. Any and all body styles being manufactured today can still be used as is with this system also. Only changes needed to be made would be the engine and drive train under the hood.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
2008
Now, at 51, another trip is on, but for a reason & cause. Even today I'm back to riding a bicycle to and from work. The process has begun to sell my home and all it's contents. I just purchased a new light weight bicycle for trip, cost more than some used cars I've bought in the past. Tons of planning to do yet. Maps to get, routing decisions, what to bring that would really be needed. This time I'll be starting from here in upstate NY instead and heading down the east coast to Florida and then turn west along the gulf coast.
I'll be stopping every now and then to see about any local work available to help keep the cash coming in. Made up a couple of signs for the trailer that say "for hire along trip".
What's the cause to promote? Us being dependent free of all foreign oil and and just about all crude oil within 10 years time max.
Stay tuned for the ideas and how can we do it.
I'll be stopping every now and then to see about any local work available to help keep the cash coming in. Made up a couple of signs for the trailer that say "for hire along trip".
What's the cause to promote? Us being dependent free of all foreign oil and and just about all crude oil within 10 years time max.
Stay tuned for the ideas and how can we do it.
1980
28 years ago I was in the planing stages of a cross country bicycle trip. I was already riding just over 36 miles a day to and from work. 18 1/2 miles each way. Gas was up to about $0.75 a gallon and way to expensive. And we complained about that price??I was thinking of starting at the old Rt. 66 in IL and follow what was left of to the end and start new from there or somewhere in between. I started to date a coworker before the plans were completed. Well the relationship progressed and we ended up getting married and I never followed through on the trip. I thought I'd have a long and happy marriage. How was I to know how SO wrong that would be!!
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