One Last Hurrah [FINAL RESULTS]

Community Challenges & Competitions
289

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: Blah blah blah you know the drill by now.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
AT: Ambient Temperature
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading. May also include other fuel related concerns.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

SATURDAY, 8PM - 10PM

VicVictory:
BD: 33 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +2 FTG: -3 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Waypoint completed: Itasca State Park. Team has stopped for the night at Itasca Suites in Itasca State Park.

@Madrias
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -5 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Ongoing issue: Check Engine Code: P0420. Team is tired. Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries

@Mr.Computah
BD: 63 mi OD: 1593 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +2 FTG: +2 Last Town: Wadena, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is tired. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Waypoint completed: Itasca State Park. Team has stopped for the night at Brookside Motel in Wadena.

@Jaimz
BD: 46 mi OD: 1648 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: +1 Last Town: Little Falls, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Team has stopped for the night at the Country Inn & Suites in Little Falls, MN.

@BobLoblaw
BD: 15 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +2 FTG: -4 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Waypoint completed: Itasca State Park. Team has stopped for the night at Itasca Lodge in Itasca State Park. WEATHER CONDITION: snow flurries.

@Zabhawkin
BD: 32 mi OD: 1524 mi AT: 36 F FS: FUEL MRL: +1 FTG: +0 Last Town: Lake George, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is starting to feel fatigued. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Team has stopped for fuel in Lake George, MN. Team has stopped at the Lake George Cafe for food.

@HighOctaneLove
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -5 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: TEAM IS EXHAUSTED. Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries.

@DoctorNarfy
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 3/4 MRL: +0 FTG: -6 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries.

@findRED19
BD: 42 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +2 FTG: +0 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is tired. WEATHER CONDITION; snow flurries. Waypoint completed: Itasca State Park. Team has stopped for the night at Itasca Lodge in Itasca State Park.

@stm316
a35fa3c172ea8836fa531ad167c23b74285f144e
BD: 10 mi OD: 1440 mi AT: 36 F FS: FULL MRL: -5 FTG: +3 Last Town: Floodwood, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: WEATHER CONDITION: snow flurries.
CRITICAL FAILURE: Car dies suddenly at the side of the road and won’t restart. Later diagnosis determines that crankwalk has lead to CPS failure. Engine would need to be rebuilt to prevent this from happening again. Final morale: +2 (ok). Final fatigue: +27 (Time for bed)

@Mythrin
BD: 30 mi OD: 1524 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: -2 Last Town: Lake George, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Team has stopped for the night at George’s Cabins in Lake George.

@abg7
BD: 0 mi OD: 1380 mi AT: 37 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -5 Last Town: Duluth, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Weather condition: Light rain. Team is asleep at the Holiday Inn in Duluth due to exhaustion.

@LordLetto
BD: 91 mi OD: 1273 AT: 37 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -5 Last Town: Ironwood, MI Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Comfort Inn in Ironwood, MI due to exhaustion. WEATHER CONDITION: Light rain.

@cpufreak101
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -6 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at the Trapper’s Landing Lodge in Whipholt. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range.

Team Moss Boss

Kyle: ZZZzzzz… Beautiful scenery…
Hank: Zzzzzz… goddamned mosquitos…

7 Likes
290

Team Thunder Taxi

Duluth, Minnesota

There will be no RP for this leg as the team is asleep. However, Jack has had a hunch for the last few hours that another team has been battling a persistent mechanical issue, which may have even put that team out of the race - but he won’t know for certain until the next day.

3 Likes
291

V6 Vandals - D3 4-6p - “13”

Close to 8 PM

The engine shuddered to a stop in the parking lot of the Trapper Landing Lodge, and Luke informed the others that they’d arrived at the hotel for the night.

“About time. I’ll go ahead and get the four of us a room.” Amy said. Jake and Cody exchanged a glance, then asked, “Isn’t Luke usually in charge of lodging?”

“He usually is, but I get the feeling that he’s got a mission in mind. Look over there, other end of the parking lot.” Amy said. There was the Communitasia, which already had been defaced once before by the Outriders. Luke got out of the Truckling, then walked toward the offending car. Even from the Truckling, they could hear a faint click, followed by the shrieking screech of metal against metal. Luke walked back over to them, dusting a bit of paint off of his finger tips, then said, “Left the previous bit of artwork someone gave them, but I just added four pin-stripes from the front of the car to the rear of the car.”

“Jeez. All that noise, I thought you were cutting metal.” Amy said.

“Some of those stripes might be deeper than others. Still far more restrained than I wanted to do.” Luke said. “I wanted to smash the mirrors and pull all four valve stems out of the tires. Or break a window and fill the engine up with bleach. Either would have been appropriate. Instead, I restrained myself and settled for making it look like an angry velociraptor decided to attack their car. It’s still drivable, but I can’t speak for what the other teams might do to it.”

They walked into their rooms, with Amy insisting that Luke kept the damn window closed this time.

8-10p

The Vandals were, for the most part, deeply asleep. Luke is keeping watch over the parking lot. At this point, he’s admiring the snow, and the fact that he knows how to drive in it.

Luke’s Social Media Update:

“Not much happened today. Crossed the border, had a mandatory detour where we took the long way but still made decent time, passed a couple teams, got passed by a couple teams. Looks like we’ve got a late update on someone dropping out, and I hope they’re okay. Team Mushroom Cloud, if you read this, it was good competing with you. You will be missed. As for us, we’re fighting a dying catalytic converter, but at least the O2 sensor fixed two problems at once. It’s not an idle-air-control motor, and with the sensor fixed, it’s stopped trying to die at idle. Catalyst isn’t exactly surprising, we’re blowing blue smoke, and that’s never a good thing for the converters. But for now, we’re still in it.”

MRL: +11 (NC / +1)
FTG: +19 (+8 / -5)
WAY: 4
GAS: 2/3
FST: 5
OIL: 1 quart

6 Likes
292

TEAM OUTRIDERS

Marc: So, how are your classes coming along?

Zach: They’ve been going well. It’s a lot different when I have a reason to give a shit.

Marc: That always makes a difference. I couldn’t find anything to hold my interest. I tried getting into law, but I just couldn’t fathom putting up with all the bullshit.

Zach: What made you decide to be a cop?

Marc: I think it was when we were sitting in on a trial for class. I almost threw up listening to all the drivel that the defense attorney was spitting out.

Zach: What was he saying?

Marc: I don’t quite remember, I know the guy was on trial for getting high and pushing his mother down the stairs.

Zach: My God!

Marc: I knew I couldn’t defend someone like that. And if I was the prosecuting attorney, I’d probably have punched that shyster in the face. So I put myself in another part of the process, where I’m the one hauling these bastards to jail.

Luigi: Or breaking your cars.

Marc: If you fixed them properly, they wouldn’t have broken down.

Blake: Well, to be fair, we were using some old pieces of shit for a while.

Marc: Which I babied the hell out of most of the time.

Luigi: That explains the dented oil pan on 114 then?

Marc: That was Harris, and you know it!

Blake: Harris is still there? Man, I thought he was going to move to Florida.

Marc: You know as well as I do he’s been saying that bullshit for the past twenty years. Seriously, shit or get off the pot.

Blake: Man, I’m glad I retired when I did.

Zach: Yeah, which means you get to stay home and bother me all day.

(Whack!)

Zach: Ow! I’m driving dammit!

Blake: Which is why you only got 50% power. That and I’m tired.

Zach: Well, we should be coming up on Itasca State Park.

Luigi: They’ve got a lodge there.

(Our heroes arrive at Itasca State Park)

Clerk: How many?

Blake: Four.

Clerk: Two to a room okay?

Blake: That will be fine.

Zach: Does your dog bite?

Clerk: No, he’s real friendly.

Zach: Aw, hey little guy!

(CHOMP!)

Zach: Ow! I thought you said he didn’t bite!

Clerk: I did, that’s not my dog.

Zach: (Grumble)

Marc: Walk it off, we’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Bitch, remember you’re on deck.

Luigi: Fuck you!

(Our heroes get what they need out of the car, lock it, and then go inside to get some sleep.)

7 Likes
293

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: Blah blah blah you know the drill by now.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
AT: Ambient Temperature
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading. May also include other fuel related concerns.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

SATURDAY, 10PM - MIDNIGHT

VicVictory:
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -5 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Team is asleep at Itasca Suites in Itasca State Park.

@Madrias
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Ongoing issue: Check Engine Code: P0420. Team is tired. Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries

@Mr.Computah
BD: 0 mi OD: 1593 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +) FTG: +5 Last Town: Wadena, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is tired. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Waypoint completed: Itasca State Park. Team is asleep at Brookside Motel in Wadena.

@Jaimz
BD: 0 mi OD: 1648 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -6 Last Town: Little Falls, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Team is asleep at the Country Inn & Suites in Little Falls, MN.

@BobLoblaw
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +2 FTG: -7 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Waypoint completed: Itasca State Park. Team is asleep at Itasca Lodge in Itasca State Park. WEATHER CONDITION: snow flurries.

@Zabhawkin
BD: 111 mi OD: 1635mi AT: 34 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: +5 Last Town: Lake George, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is a little tired. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Waypoint completed: Itasca State Park.

@HighOctaneLove
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries.

@DoctorNarfy
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 3/4 MRL: +0 FTG: -8 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries.

@findRED19
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -6 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: WEATHER CONDITION; snow flurries. Waypoint completed: Itasca State Park. Team is asleep at Itasca Lodge in Itasca State Park.

@Mythrin
BD: 0 mi OD: 1524 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Lake George, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries. Team is asleep at George’s Cabins in Lake George.

@abg7
BD: 0 mi OD: 1380 mi AT: 37 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Duluth, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Weather condition: Light rain. Team is asleep at the Holiday Inn in Duluth.

@LordLetto
BD: 91 mi OD: 1273 AT: 37 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Ironwood, MI Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Comfort Inn in Ironwood, MI. WEATHER CONDITION: Light rain.

@cpufreak101
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -8 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at the Trapper’s Landing Lodge in Whipholt. WEATHER CONDITION: Snow flurries.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range.

Team Moss Boss

Kyle: ZZZzzzz… I’m Batman…
Hank: Zzzzzz… Head On… Apply directly to the forehead…

6 Likes
294

V6 Vandals - D3 6-10p - “Night Time”

(No updates this time. Everyone’s either asleep or watching the snow fall)

MRL: +11 (NC)
FTG: +12 (-7)
WAY: 4
GAS: 2/3
FST: 5
OIL: 1 quart

3 Likes
295

TEAM OUTRIDERS

Zach: ZZZzzzzz… You call that a spreadsheet?..

Blake: Zzzz… Damn valve dropped out of the head…

Luigi: ZZzzz… Marc’s a homo…

Marc: ZZZzzzzz…

5 Likes
296

Team Redneck day 3 8-10

Another tank of gas, another hole in the wall restaurant.

10-12

Its late, their still going. Otis is driving, Jake is sleeping. The radio is playing some forgotten song.

Edit: hey were about half way

6 Likes
297

Team Mushroom Cloud

Saturday 6-8:15 PM

The decision was made to go just a little further before finding another place to stop. Maybe not the wisest move ever, but that’s what happens when Bill’s involved. Cruising along, a few harsh jerks (and I don’t mean the boys), Wookiee pushed the clutch, and the dash lights went out. He steered the car over to the side of the road and switched off the ignition.
Toni: Well, it’s dead.
Bill: Are you sure? How dead is dead? Maybe we can turn it over to see!
Wookiee turned the key and was rewarded by the sound of one thousand hammers.
Wookiee: No, dude. It’s toast. That was rough.
Bill: No! Not again!
Toni: Why cry, guy? You bought this… thing… while drunk. There’s only so much I can fix with a roll of racing tape. I’m not MacGyver.
Wookiee: Sad face emoji. Hashtag brokencaryo!
Toni: We’ll call for help, the get it towed back in the morning. I’ll have a look, see how bad it REALLY is.

With that, Team Mushroom Cloud had covered their last km in the Ticking Time Bomb. The ride they got back to Floodwood could have been a great competitor in this event… an old pickup that sounded like a tractor with dump-pipes, maybe it was just some local with a light on his roof.

8-10PM
9:00 or so
Bill had pulled out his phablet, and started checking out the OLH page. What he read brought a tear to his eye…I mean, his hay-fever was acting up.

OOC:
Here Endeth the story, but let’s see what the future holds.

3 Likes
298

Mopey: …zzzzzzzz…When I win then I’ll be up to my neck in totty…

Gran: …zzzzzzzz…Oh George you’re so ma…

Spanners: …zzzzz…3000 mile race off-road…

3 Likes
299

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: Blah blah blah you know the drill by now.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
AT: Ambient Temperature
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading. May also include other fuel related concerns.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

SUNDAY, 12AM - 2AM

VicVictory:
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: -3 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at Itasca Suites in Itasca State Park.

@Madrias
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Ongoing issue: Check Engine Code: P0420. Team is tired. Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt.

@Mr.Computah
BD: 0 mi OD: 1593 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Wadena, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Brookside Motel in Wadena.

@Jaimz
BD: 0 mi OD: 1648 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -8 Last Town: Little Falls, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at the Country Inn & Suites in Little Falls, MN.

@BobLoblaw
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Itasca Lodge in Itasca State Park.

@Zabhawkin
BD: 124 mi OD: 1759 mi AT: 34 F FS: 1/4 MRL: +0 FTG: +9 Last Town: Minneapolis, MN Next Waypoint: Eagle Point Park, Dubuque, IA
Notes: Team is very tired. Waypoint completed: Historic Fort Snelling.

@HighOctaneLove
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt.

@DoctorNarfy
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 3/4 MRL: +0 FTG: -10 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Trapper Landing Lodge in Whipholt.

@findRED19
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -8 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Itasca Lodge in Itasca State Park.

@Mythrin
BD: 0 mi OD: 1524 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Lake George, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at George’s Cabins in Lake George.

@abg7
BD: 0 mi OD: 1380 mi AT: 37 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Duluth, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at the Holiday Inn in Duluth.

@LordLetto
BD: 91 mi OD: 1273 AT: 37 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Ironwood, MI Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Comfort Inn in Ironwood, MI.

@cpufreak101
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -10 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at the Trapper’s Landing Lodge in Whipholt.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range.

Team Moss Boss

Kyle: ZZZzzzz… Hi Shakira, want to see my bat cave?
Hank: Zzzzzz… No, I can only jump over dams when it’s the apocalypse…

7 Likes
300

V6 Vandals - D3 10p-Midnight - “Nothing Happened”

(No updates this time.)

MRL: +11 (NC)
FTG: +3 (-9)
WAY: 4
GAS: 2/3
FST: 5
OIL: 1 quart

3 Likes
301

(As you all have probably figured, updates may be a little slow for a day or two, since it’s the thick of judging for CSR67)

6 Likes
302

Perfectly understandable. I think most of us can wait for a few days on a challenge that takes some time to complete.

303

As you insta-binned the HiWay Venture I find this excuse inexcusable!!! :stuck_out_tongue:

4 Likes
304

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: Blah blah blah you know the drill by now.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
AT: Ambient Temperature
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading. May also include other fuel related concerns.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

SUNDAY, 2AM - 6AM

VicVictory:
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: +0 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 5 am and will be on the road at 6 am.

@Madrias
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -3 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Ongoing issue: Check Engine Code: P0420. Team wakes up at 5 am and is on the road at 6 am. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

@Mr.Computah
BD: 0 mi OD: 1593 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: -14 Last Town: Wadena, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team wakes up at 5am and will be on the road at 6am.

@Jaimz
BD: 0 mi OD: 1648 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -8 Last Town: Little Falls, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Country Inn & Suites in Little Falls, MN.

@BobLoblaw
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -15 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 5 am and will be on the road at 6 am.

@Zabhawkin
BD: 45 mi OD: 1804 mi AT: 34 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Minneapolis, MN Next Waypoint: Eagle Point Park, Dubuque, IA
Notes: Team has refueled in Faribault, MN. Team has stopped at the Days Inn Faribault in Faribault MN.

@HighOctaneLove
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -16 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team wakes up at 5 am and gets on the road at 6 am.

@DoctorNarfy
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 3/4 MRL: +2 FTG: -6 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team wakes up at 5am and is on the road at 6am.

@findRED19
BD: 0 mi OD: 1535 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -13 Last Town: Laporte, MN Next Waypoint: Historic Fort Snelling, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at Itasca Lodge in Itasca State Park.

@Mythrin
BD: 0 mi OD: 1524 mi AT: 36 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +2 FTG: -8 Last Town: Lake George, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team is asleep at George’s Cabins in Lake George.

@abg7
BD: 0 mi OD: 1380 mi AT: 37 F FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: -9 Last Town: Duluth, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team wakes up at 5 am and is on the road at 6 am.

@LordLetto
BD: 91 mi OD: 1273 AT: 37 F FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: -9 Last Town: Ironwood, MI Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 5 am and will be on the road at 6 am.

@cpufreak101
BD: 0 mi OD: 1500 mi AT: 36 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -10 Last Town: Whipholt, MN Next Waypoint: Itasca State Park, MN
Notes: Team wakes up at 5 am and will be on the road at 6 am.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range.

Team Moss Boss

Hank and Kyle once again pick through the extremely limited breakfast available at such an early hour. Fresh fruit and instant oatmeal make up their initial chow feed, and each one grabs a bowl of dry cereal for the road.

The Townsend is fired up and ready at 6 am, the boys climbing in during the faded light of the false dawn.

6 Likes
305

TEAM OUTRIDERS

(Our brave intrepid heroes have woken up from their slumber. As they get breakfast and load the car up, Luigi performs a quick mechanical inspection of the car. Zach is keeping him company.)

Luigi: No sign of anything leaking.

Zach: Anything I can do to help?

Luigi: Yeah, I need to check the bolts holding the motor mounts in place, can you crawl under and make sure the engine doesn’t fall?

Zach: Sure (starts to crawl under the car)

Luigi: Stop. I’m just kidding! I’m not going to drop an engine on you.

Zach: Oh.

Luigi: But you can check the battery for a charge, put a hand on each terminal.

Zach: You got it. (Starts to reach over)

Luigi: Whoa, hold on! Lick your fingers first.

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Team Shitbox Brothers

The two brothers had woken up recently, taking their stuff and checking out of the hotel. Alejandro is once again checking his phone.

Alejandro: “Team Redneck overtook us overnight, we’re third now.”

Ana: “Who’s in front?”

Alejandro: “Hartcourt.”

Ana: “We can catch 'em, let’s keep the pace up.”

Ana and Alejandro got a couple of Nescovfefes to take in a nearby bar and got into their car, starting it once again and and roaring off, into the distance towards the south, to Gigawatt by Zombie Hyperdrive.

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V6 Vandals - D4 Midnight-2a - “Ditto”

All remained peaceful up until about 5 in the morning, when Luke started to bring himself out of his night-rest. The quiet click of a relay and the soft hum of the first of Luke’s three hydraulic pumps spinning up turned the otherwise peaceful white noise just a little louder. A second click and a similar hum joined the first. The third click was met with a quiet electrical buzz.

Amy woke to the sound of an alarm, but not her alarm clock. The kind of alarm typically found on heavy equipment, where a malfunction could mean lives were at risk. The sort of alarm that no one wanted to hear, especially with a nuclear-powered robot on the team. The alarm was quickly silenced, and Amy glared at Luke.

“Really? Why not use an air-raid siren next time, you jerk?” Amy said, scowling.

“Wasn’t planned.” Luke said, showing her the screen on his left arm, lit up with a harsh red “SYSTEM FAULT” alert. “Lost the third hydraulic pump. Still able to function, but I’ll be limited to about 40% efficiency.”

Jake and Cody barged in, with Cody gasping for breath and Jake managing to get out a ragged, “We came as soon as we heard the alarm. Everything okay?”

“Other than a wake-up call from Luke that could give someone a heart attack, and Luke losing a hydraulic pump, yes, we’re okay.” Amy said.

“Oh, great, so we’ve got to carry 600 pounds of robot.” Cody said.

“No, I can still carry myself. Just not much more than that.” Luke replied.

“Wait… You said ‘40% efficiency,’ Luke. Surely it should be 60% or higher? You lost one pump.” Amy said.

“Compensation for runtime pressure losses, flow inversion, and lack of full pressure. 40% is generous, but I can work with it. I lose another one, we’ll be in trouble.” Luke responded. “In fact, I’ll have my screen display current working RPM and set an alarm, a milder one, for if either of them dips lower than 2,000 RPM. We’ll know in advance if things are going to break.”

Soon after, Luke’s screen held new information, still displaying the System Fault warning at the top, but also displaying the RPM values of Hydraulic Pump 1, 2, and 3, plus a bit of extra information.

“So, 3,267 RPM, 3,792 RPM, and 0 RPM. Why such a wide range, Luke? Other than, well, the obvious one.” Jake asked.

“The line under the RPM readings will tell you that. ‘Synchronization Fault’ That means I can’t link-and-sync like I usually do, hold everything equal. And it’s not worth it right now to try modulating down the high pump to match the low one. If I needed to use combat mode, I’d be able to make 50% hydraulic efficiency, but I’d be asking those two pumps to turn around 4,500 RPM. Normally, it’d be all three, but I can’t get HP3 to turn.” Luke replied.

“So, what caused it?” Amy asked.

“Time. 18 years, and I’ve not had a motor change. Could be a bad bearing, could be a dead spot in a commutator, a burned out brush, a jammed planetary gearbox. I don’t know. And the odds of finding spares out here is unlikely.” Luke said. “So what took it out is the same thing taking the rest of me apart, time and wear. And abuse.”

“Abuse?” Cody asked.

“Yeah, shit like lifting trucks, or not bothering to use the engine hoist, pretty much anything that forced me to use combat mode to move it instead of getting the right tools. 100% duty cycle on the motor drivers isn’t nice to anything on the other end. But enough worrying about me, if push really comes to shove, I’ll junkyard-rig something to work. It’s one motor in a triple-redundant set, and I’m still mobile, even if I’ve lost a bit of precision in the process.” Luke said.

“He’s right. Won’t do us any good worrying about getting spare parts, let’s get breakfast and hit the road about 6:00-ish.” Amy said.

The group made their way to breakfast, where they filled up on bacon, pancakes, sausages and eggs, then washed the whole mess down with coffee. When they got asked if they were the source of the noise earlier, Amy covered for Luke with, “I’m a heavy sleeper. Had him set off an alarm that guaranteed I’d be up. I hate mornings.”

At 6 in the morning, the Vandals got into the Truckling, and Luke started the engine, the screen on his left arm still glowing as he held the steering wheel.

“You’re sure you’re okay with driving?” Cody asked.

“He’ll be fine.” Amy said. “Trust me, I was his co-driver in a rally when he blew a hydraulic line, soaked half the interior of the car in oil. Looked like a triple-homicide in the car when we were done. Had to have lost half his fluid capacity, because he told me to handle the gears for him.”

“I couldn’t take my hand off of the wheel. The only reason we were able to drive at that point is because I lost an upper hydraulic hose, which meant my legs still had fluid. I was steering using the large stepper motors just after the elbow joint. Could still grab because that’s servo controlled. And for the record, 72%. The tank was empty, I was down to what was flowing to HP2 and 3 and what was left in my lines.” Luke said.

“So, basically, if Amy starts shifting for Luke, we’re fucked?” Cody asked.

“No. If I determine at any point that my driving is compromised, I’ll be making a stop to let Amy drive. Rally racing is acceptably dangerous, and a driver swap was against race rules. We had a roll-cage, fire suppression, safety crew on standby. Worst case scenario would’ve been me crashing the rally car, catching the interior on fire. Amy took that risk by unlatching the fire extinguisher so that it was at the ready, long enough to make her escape from the car.”

“So, what about you? What was your plan?” Jake asked.

“Stay in the car. Other than my hydraulic fluid being flammable, I’m reasonably flame-resistant. I was given a choice back in 2000, either work for a car company or work for the fire department. I chose the car company because I’m not overly fond of water. Sure, I can shut my vents and remain water-resistant, but that’s good for small stuff like garden hoses, sprinklers going off, or falling in the company swimming pool. High pressure water, no, and definitely no to anything deeper than about 18 feet of water.” Luke said.

With everyone at least agreeing Luke could still drive, he stuffed the Ishu Truckling in first gear, blipped the gas, and surged out of the parking lot onto the open road. The check engine light was still glowing, and Luke lightly patted the dashboard after they were rolling. “I know how you feel. Hang in there, we’ll do well, I know it.” he said, resting his left elbow on the window-line, his thumb hooked into the wheel and holding them straight ahead.

MRL: +12 (+1)
FTG: 0 (-3)
WAY: 4
GAS: 2/3
FST: 5
OIL: 1 quart

Yes, this was planned for this run. Luke’s okay and will still be okay, just he’ll be taking maintenance more seriously in the future. In fact, this is necessary for his story, because by 2020, he’s forced to retire because things like this keep happening. And he calls in every favor he’s earned in order to pull off the whole “Luke Sinistra” thing.

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1000 points to Team Shitbox Brothers…

@Madrias - no one is immortal…

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