Clearly Strop never knew how to BRØM like a man!
I - guess that’s what comes with being a horse…
4 Likes
This is very deliberate, use of umlaut causes Kai’s creator (who is Danish) physical pain 
…but should I change it???
2 Likes
TEAM OUTRIDERS
Blake: Smooth sailing ahead.
Marc: Hey Luigi, pass me up a bag of Doritos.
Luigi: No.
Marc: Why the hell not?
Luigi: Because you didn’t say the magic word.
Marc: (sigh) Could you please pass me up a bag of Doritos?
Luigi: Absolutely, proper etiquette is key don’t you think?
Marc: You want proper etiquette? How about you sit your five-dollar ass down before I come back there and make change!
Blake: Oh no he di’nt!
Luigi: I’ll remember that.
Blake: Where are we presently?
Marc: Heading “south” on US101. According to our compass we’re facing west.
Luigi: This whole state’s nuts. They can’t even point their roads in the correct direction.
Marc: Maybe they couldn’t afford your mob union buddies to make 'em right.
Luigi: At least we aren’t too chickenshit to be gangsters.
Marc: You’re kidding right? There were many Jewish gangsters.
Luigi: Hah, name one.
Marc: Shondor Birns.
Luigi: …
Blake: Let’s put on some music.
Luigi: Is it me or are some of those guys in the other cars really interested in this area?
Marc: Something to do with Twilight.
Luigi: What’s Twilight?
Blake: Some kind of drivel involving androgynous vampires and women falling in love with someone who will drink her blood.
Marc: I remember when the first movie came out.
Blake: How was it?
Marc: No idea, I was next door playing Pinball.
Luigi: I can’t remember the last time I saw a vampire movie.
Blake: I can, it had Peter Cushing in it.
Marc: That takes me back. Personally I favor those old chop socky movies.
Blake: Sonny Chiba?
Marc: Oh yeah, and you did not want to be in downtown Detroit when a Bruce Lee movie came out. Everybody thought they were a kung fu master after watching the movie.
Blake: Says the guy who’s been in a number of fights through his life.
Marc: True, but I never learned karate or any of that shit.
Luigi: So where did you learn to fight?
Marc: On the streets. That’s how those four skinheads ended up in jail and me with only two cracked ribs.
Blake: That sounds like dirty fighting to me.
Marc: Every single person who’s called me a dirty fighter has done so from the floor where I put him.
Luigi: Remind me not to piss you off for real.
Blake: Looks like a lake, anyone want to stop?
Marc: I’m good.
Luigi: Me too, you see one lake, you’ve seen em all.
(Arrival at Fort Worden State Park)
Marc: How are we doing on gas?
Blake: Better than I thought we would. If we stick with the highways I estimate we’ll get 350 miles out of this tank.
Marc: That’s pretty low.
Luigi: Well, the car’s sporting an engine that’s designed to haul boats and shit.
Marc: Yeah, but I figured the lighter weight of the car and the fact that we’re not hauling a trailer would compensate.
Luigi: It does, that’s why we average 15 mpg rather than 11.
Marc: Lovely.
Blake: Relax, they put 20 gallon tanks in these things, we’ll be fine.
5 Likes
Team Teenage Hopes And Dreams
Friday 12-4:
So, 4 hours in, things are going well. The car is 100%, and the engine, despite it’s scrapyard heritage, is making the car go like the X-15.
Leon: “You’ve had your fun, now keep the car going. We’re not blowing this car up trying to catch a wagon. Remember, V8. You know how much I hate those things.”
Monty: “But we haven’t gone near any corners yet!”
Leon: “THINK OF THE FUEL ECONOMY!!!”
6 Likes
Sorry i’m playing catch up here, been a busy week at work
Team ‘Green Turd Racing’
**
Day – 1:
Beth walks up as Lupus is tinkering under the hood of the Shaphe, which is held up by a sketchy looking stick
Beth: How are you dear lupus?
Lupus groans
Beth: Is that any way to greet your gran, get over here and give me a hug.
Lupus pokes his head out from under the bonnet to look at Beth, his face and entire front are covered in grease
Beth: Dear god boy, go and get yourself cleaned up or I’ll hose you down myself.
Lupus: Yes Gran, I was just finishing up here anyway.
Lupus closes the bonnet and heads to the bathroom for a shower, then meets Beth in the kitchen making a cup of tea
Beth: Much better dear, while you were in the shower I made your favorite, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, would you like a hot chocolate?
Lupus: oh, yes please gran, and thank you.
Lupus munches loudly on the sandwiches
Beth: so how is our little chariot running dear? Do you think it will make the long journey in one piece?
Lupus: sure thing gran, I’ve checked over everything people on the Shaphe forums told me to and it appears to be in good running order, despite being a terrible driver the previous owner clearly looked after this thing, it just needed some routine maintenance and fluids but it’s good to go now.
Beth: what are you not telling me?
Lupus: N-nothing gran, everything is just fine under the hood - he says nervously
Beth: You had better not be lying to me boy, if this car doesn’t make the trip I’m calling your parents and telling them you tricked me into this journey.
Lupus: But gran this thing hasn’t been tested on a long journey yet, anything could go wrong
Beth: I suppose you’re right dear, but you had still better not be lying to me, I was promised a good long road trip and I had better get one.
Lupus: Yes of course gran, I’ll do everything I can to keep that thing driving.
**
Day 0:
As they pull in to the camping ground with Beth at the wheel the shaphe gets a lot of puzzled looks and a few snickers from the other competitors
Lupus points to a spot on the outskirts of the team camps
Lupus: Lets park up over there and set up the tent.
Beth: looks like a good spot to me dear.
**
Day 1; Friday 12 – 2:
Lupus: wake up gran, we need to take a photo of the bridge coming up, and this thing takes forever to get back up to speed so there’s no way I’m stopping, we need to make that first ferry or we’ll be waiting forever.
Beth is still struggling to figure out how the camera works as Deception Pass Bridge comes into view
Lupus: jeez gran just take the wheel and give me the damn camera
Beth: how rude of you dear, pull over so I can work this darn thing
Lupus: no time for that gran
Lupus snatches the camera from her hands and lets go of the wheel, the car veers toward the opposite side of the road and Beth reaches across to straighten the car up
Beth: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING BOY! YOU COULD HAVE GOT US KILLED!
Lupus snaps the picture and retakes control of the wheel
Lupus: IF YOU HAD TAKEN THE WHEEL WHEN I TOLD YOU TO IT WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM
the rest of the leg is driven in utter silence save for the loud exhaust tone, they make the first ferry with time to spare
**
Day 1; Friday 2 – 4:
On the ferry ride over Lupus teaches Beth how to work the camera, so that she can take pictures of the points of interest along the rest of the journey.
They drive past Fort Warden State Park and Beth snaps the picture without incident as they drive past
Beth: since the journey takes us along 101 why don’t we stop off at Crescent Lake and you can go for a swim.
Lupus: but we’re doing good gran, I don’t want to lose our position by stopping.
Beth: nonsense dear, the other teams will have to take breaks too along the way, besides it’s a Friday afternoon, there might be girls your age there.
Lupus: You’re right gran, even with cushions on the seats this car is getting really uncomfortable, it would be nice to have a break, but we’d better make it a short one.
Beth: ok dear, I’ll let you know when it’s coming up.
6 Likes
Friday, 8:00am
The light turns on.
“Wake up Paul we have to move” Aaron says into the room, still in Coffee Zombie Mode
“10 more Minutes, Mutter…” Paul answers while covering his face with another pillow.
Without any words Aaron slowly moves next to the bed.
His eyes spott a water bottle which was placed on a nightstand , next to the bed.
Slowly he puts his warm coffee mug next to it and lifts the bottle up.
Quickly the cap gets removed and the content dumped on the Sleeper.
" AH GOD WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU"
" I am not caffeinated enough for this, get up , get dressed and met me at the car"
Friday, 8:46am
Slowly Paul moves to the car.
“I am here, what now bro. Have you already put all the stuff… WHAT IS THAT”
Aaron was wearing a bright yellow hazmat suit with a big gas mask which covered his mouth and nose.
“Mrgh mrrgh mrgh”
“The Mask Aaron”
Quickly the mask got pulled down.
“Ah right. So, if you are thinking i gonna sit in that piece of filth , you though wrong”
“So you wanna sit in the car and doing the whole journey in that outfit?”
“You would be correct, yes”
“Could you at least not wear the mask so you we can talk ?”
“Never”, Aaron responded while putting the mask back into place.
“So… Is everything ready ?”
“Mmmrgh mrgh mrrgh Mmmrgh.”
“God have mercy…”
Friday, 10:45am
Slowly the boat of a car moves into the parking lot.
Paul is the first to exit the car.
“Seems that we made it”
“Mmmrg Mrgh pff”
Aaron also joins his brother
“CAN YOU PUT THAT THING AWAY?! You are out the car Mister Bubble Boy”
" I said : Yes it seems like we did"
" Good. Do you know where the drivers meet ?"
" I seem like everybody is gathering over there at the tents. We should join them"
And so Aaron starts to move.
“Wait you wanna meet them in your suit ?”
“Pff like that would be the weirdest thing they have seen”
“Fair enough”
Friday, Noon - 2PM
While on the SR20 Aaron notices something.
“Mrgh mpff mrgh mpf ?”
“The mask”
Aaron shakes this head.
“Off with it or no talk”
With that Aaron lifts the mask a tiny bit
“Why are does signs saying ‘Ferry Port’ ?”
“Because we gonna go on one”
" You KNOW that i get seasink very easy."
" Its just a lake, you will be fiiiiinnneeee"
20 minutes later
“Just let it out Aaron”
The sick Copilot was pointing his face down the boat side.
“At least you get some real fresh air out here !”
Aaron’s head popped up
"Shut up you stupod Fu… "
But before he could finish , he went sick again.
Friday, 2PM - 4PM
“We should be there soon” Aaron said, now unmasked.
“See. If you talk with me we can go from place to place without problems”
“YOU THROWN THE MASK INTO THE SEA”
“An Accident”
“Throwing it with all your strength while asking other driver to guess how far it goes, does not sound like an ‘accident’.”
“Bah Bah Bah. Accidents happen. So should i turn here”
“Yes…”
With a big swing the yacht moves into the park.
“The Leader said we should take a photo of the car and the location”
“You got a Cam Aaron ?”
" NO ?"
“Smart Phone it is”
“How does it look ?” Aaron tries to look at the screen
“Not the best, not the worst”
“I think you shouldn’t have parked on the grass”
“Pfff as long as nothing gets damaged”
“Let’s get on with it then”
“Sounds good to me”
Both brother get in and the engine starts.
With a big roar the car back up , leaving big trails in the wildness
“So much to ‘As long as nothing gets damaged’ " Aaron says.
“It will regrow. So where now”
" Back to the highway first , then South”
5 Likes
Legend of Terms:
TBDC: Time Block Distance Covered. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
ODC: Overall Distance Covered. This is the total distance that the team has covered since Noon on Friday
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.
Friday, 4PM - 6PM
Weather Conditions: 64 degrees, partly cloudy.
All vehicles are on US101 South (most teams have actually hooked around to the south at this point).
Upcoming POI (optional, let me know if you want to stop at them for rest/sightseeing): Ruby Beach
Next Waypoint: Fort Stevens State Park, OR
VicVictory:
TBDC: 106 mi OD: 243 mi MRL: +1 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@yurimacs
TBDC: 104 mi OD: 241 mi MRL: +1 FTG: +4 Notes: None.
@Fayeding_Spray
TBDC: 111 mi OD: 249 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@Madrias
TBDC: 106 mi OD: 246 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: Braking is a minimal concern; this section of road has only a couple speed limit changes and not much traffic.
@BobLoblaw
TBDC: 107 mi OD: 245 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@CriticalSet9849
TBDC: 86 mi OD: 224 mi MRL: +4 FTG: +0 Notes: Stopped for 30 minutes at Crescent Lake for rest and scenery. Grandma really enjoyed this.
@BailsMackenzie
TBDC: 88 mi OD: 228 mi MRL: +4 FTG: -1 Notes: Stopped for 30 minutes at Crescent Lake for rest and scenery.
@Mikonp7
TBDC: 105 mi OD: 241 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@TheBobWiley
TBDC: 105 mi OD: 244 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@DeusExMackia
TBDC: 106 mi OD: 241 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: Dash lights have been occasionally flickering, particularly during braking.
@HighOctaneLove
TBDC: 105 mi OD: 241 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@strop
TBDC: 108 mi OD: 248 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@stm316
TBDC: 105 mi OD: 244 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@JohnWaldock / @Sillyducky
TBDC: 105 mi OD: 243 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@abg7
TBDC: 104 mi OD: 240 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@rileybanks
TBDC: 105 mi OD: 245 mi MRL: +1 FTG: +4 Notes: This car is pretty uncomfortable, and it’s not helping with road fatigue.
@koolkei / @FrankNSTein
TBDC: 110 mi OD: 211 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: Making up time slowly but surely.
@Rk38
TBDC: 104 mi OD: 241 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@Nomade0013 / @ramthecowy
TBDC: 107 mi OD: 243 mi MRL: +2 FTG: +3 Notes: None.
@SkylineFTW97
TBDC: 102 mi OD: 239 mi MRL: +1 FTG: +3 Notes: Having difficulty adjusting to the clutch.
The following cars are within visual range or in a pack:
241 miles: Zast, Erin, HMC, Maesima
243 miles: Ardent, LPV, Gamma
Team Greasy Lightning
Team Greasy Lightning took a quick pit stop in Port Angeles to go to the bathroom and change drivers. Jen is now driving, Rick is in the back seat, and Fuzz is shotgun.
Rick glanced out the passenger window. Beyond a short outcropping of rocks lay an azure, almost glassy lake.
“Lake Crescent. Beautiful. I’d love to take a dip in that,” he said.
“You’re going to have to pick somewhere else. We’re not stopping,” Fuzz added as he dug at his phone’s screen furiously with his index finger. “Speaking of picking things… yup, OK. I’ve got this thing figured out now.”
“What?” Jen asked.
“This.”
With a firm tap on his screen, the music spilling forth from the bluetooth speaker changed.
Jen nearly swerved into the oncoming lane, eliciting a long honk from an oncoming driver. “You dick. Why is that even in your collection?”
Fuzz just giggled.
“No, seriously? What’s wrong with you?” she growled.
“Chill out,” Fuzz shot back. “Just figured out how to get this thing to play YouTube. It’s not actually on my list.”
“Then change it, snot-breath!”
“Sheesh. Testy, much? Alright. I’ll change it back to my playlist.”
Both Jen and Rick sighed in relief. Jen because her nerves were no longer on edge, and Rick because he wasn’t going to have to explain why his wife murdered her own brother.
“We just keep going this way?” Jen asked.
“Yup. Fort Stevens is a long way away.”
8 Likes
(also Mikonp7 gets extra points for lying to his codriver about the ferry and then making him appropriately sick… Coupeville-PT is one of the roughest routes in the state)
2 Likes
#Team Artiseros
##Friday 4PM - 6PM
_After that short pitstop and probably 1~3 hours of driving,the trio probably got a little tired just probably sleeping in the car except for Ernie because of course he is driving the car.In their journey,they passed by Lake Crescent and Forks,denying a little sight seeing hoping that they can take a rest in a near POI.
Aldren: ZzzZzzzzzZzzz
Ateri: ZZzzzzzzZzzzzZ
Ernie:(yawns) They are probably fast asleep.Maybe i should open the convertible
(stops for a short pause to open the convertible)
Ernie:Probably plays some tunes for some me time Myrone - Exclusive Coupe
Ernie: ayaya This song hits me back to the 80s.Probably helps opening the roof to let some fresh air in.
Ernie:Better not drive so aggressively so not to wake them up.
Ernie drove the car with ease knowing that their decision to go all the way to the waypoint might help them
##Overall stats
Overall Fatigue:+5 (probably Ateri and Aldren wanted a little nap)
Gained Morale:+1 (Ernie probably enjoying his time alone)
Overall Morale:+5 (Probably silent in the car with wind noise)
5 Likes
Team Mountain Pass
Friday, Day One, 4 - 6pm
After the excitement of leaving the ferry and keeping up with the fast cars, we have settled down to a lean-burn, loping pace as we consume the miles of US highway. I’ve decided to stop at Ruby Beach to check the fluids and so that Pierre and Andrew can stretch their legs. But for the next two hours it’s just the licorice strip before my eyes and the hum of the tyres to keep me company.
Andrew has decided he’s the better night driver so he’ll take the wheel at Ruby beach. Pierre is holding out for a motel bed so he can start of fresh in the morning but neither of them are good company at the moment as they play the silent protaganist while listening to the latest news about the newly minted Trump administration…
Distance covered (this session): 106 miles
Distance covered (total): 242 miles
Morale +2 (+6 total) Looking forward to the changeover at Ruby Beach
Fatigue +3 (+4) REALLY looking forward to the stop-over at Ruby Beach!!!
7 Likes
Team Twin-Snail
Luke gripped the wheel of the Minerva gently, keeping in the power for most of the trip, taking advantage of the lack of traffic and the reasonable speed limits to give them an edge, one he knew they’d need. However, it was growing painfully obvious that with 6 hours on the road, and three living team members, they’d need to do something about that.
“Linda, can you check the map for upcoming things to do?” Luke inquired.
Linda flipped through a map, nudged Scott in the ribs to get him to help out, and between the two of them, they found out about Ruby Beach.
“Could stop at Ruby Beach, do a little sight-seeing and some relaxation there. Would also give you a chance, perhaps, to fix the car.” Linda replied after a few minutes. Amy nodded, then said, “Sounds like a good place. If we’re putting this to a vote, mine’s in for it.”
“It’s settled, then. Next stop, Ruby Beach. I’ll use that time to clean the throttle bodies and the MAF sensors, swap in two clean filters, and hope like hell this Maintenance Required light turns off.” Luke said. “Meanwhile, you three can enjoy the view and the weather, and maybe find something to eat nearby because I know you’ll need it.”
Luke cruised along the highway as they fired up another CD, the band this time being The Eagles.
However, their enjoyment of the music was interrupted by the piercing cry of a typical frat-party air-horn being blasted by, of all things, the driver of the Burning Corolla.
“Two can play noise-wars on this highway.” Luke said, opening the ash tray and flipping two switches ominously.
Click. ‘high-volume’
Click. ‘armed’
He then hit the horn again, the tritone truck horns being drowned out by the blare of a diesel train. It lasted for only a moment, though the silence had been shattered. He clicked the switches into the ‘low-volume’ and ‘disarmed’ positions, leaving them with just the triple-note cluster working while the engine strained against the air compressor, filling the undersized air tank.
Team Twin-Snail watched as the little hatchback disappeared into the distance.
“Damn, Luke. Didn’t know you had used railway stuff in here!” Scott said.
“I helped him install that. He said ‘I need an air horn’ and I told him that I knew a guy who dealt with used railway surplus.” Amy said.
“It was my idea to have them on separate switches, though, so that most of the time, I’m only using the triples from the truck. I have to go out of my way to make the train horn blast, and even then… It uses up all the air in less than a second.” Luke finished.
“Still, teaches them to party-horn us.” Linda quipped, as they made it to their next ‘checkpoint’ in the run.
Aftermath
Car: Still needs some work done.
Team:
MRL +5 overall
FTG +4 overall
Mileage: 106 trip, 246 day, 246 total
Team will be stopping at Ruby Beach for rest and sightseeing.
Cleaning the Left and Right throttle bodies, as well as the Left and Right MAF Sensors will be attempted if allowed.
9 Likes
Team Bamford
“So where’s this rest stop?” asked Phil, scanning his map with confusion
“Crescent Lake” replied Simon “Near Forks”
Jason perked up “Forks? Hear that Phil, Forks!”
Phil went as white as a sheet and was deathly silent for the next few miles while the other two boys laughed.
The team made a 30 minute stop at Crescent lake where Ken and Simon had a brief check over of the car and Jason followed a nervous Phil around, constantly ribbing him about their location.
“Right!” called Ken from under the bonnet “What in all that is holy are you two going on about!”
“Phil used to date a girl who moved here” replied Jason
“So?” asked Ken as he slapped the air filter against his pants
“She was obsessed with those Vampire films that they made here”
Phil finally broke his silence “She tried to drink my blood…”
There was a brief moment of silence before Ken roared with laughter
“Now that is something else!”
With their break over and the car running fine, they rejoined the road on the way to their next POI, with Ken joining in the fun and constantly asking Phil if he’d seen any vampires running behind them.
8 Likes
TEAM OUTRIDERS
Blake: yawn
Marc: zzzz
Luigi: yawn Stop that, it’s contagious.
Blake: Sorry.
Marc: yawn I needed that.
Luigi: Of course you did, that’s all you cops do.
Marc: No we don’t!
Luigi: Really, so you swing by the RV lot behind the building as your patrol route?
Marc: Yes, we keep an eye on that as well to make sure nobody is doing anything they shouldn’t be.
Luigi: And that happens to take 45 minutes to an hour?
Marc: You exaggerate.
Luigi: At least the ones driving the Senecas have an excuse with that carbon monoxide leak TSB. But you drive the other ones, so you have no excuse.
Marc: Anyway, what’s the game plan?
Blake: We’re coming up on Ruby Beach, I’m thinking of stopping so we can stretch our legs.
Marc: Good idea, I’m feeling better after that little nap, so I can take over.
Blake: Fine with me, I can catch some shuteye then.
Luigi: Shotgun!
Marc: You can’t call shotgun when you’re still in the car. It has to be when we’re headed for it and the car has to be in sight.
Blake: Eh, you can take the front. I want to stretch out in the back.
7 Likes
You motherfucker, you know what you did 
1 Like
Team BAGS
Brian: We’re approaching Ruby Beach. Should we stop there for a while?
Gary: If we do, we’d get a chance to rest and take in the scenery.
Amy: We can keep up our pace if we just drive on…
Stephanie: …but believe me, continued long-distance driving without rest stops will eventually take its toll on us. So I suggest we stop this time.
Brian: Agreed, we’re going to stop there as soon as we arrive. We’ll need to make up some time thereafter, though, one way or another. And for good measure, during each rest stop, we’ll inspect the car to see if anything is amiss.
5 Likes
#Team ‘Southend or Bust’
Original Post - Previous Post
The story so far: Three uni students in a clapped-out orange Merna touring the Pacific North West. It’s been smooth running so far with Martin at the wheel, but for the first time, they’ve got an issue…
“Oh my…” James said with excitement as they turned off the 101 and into the parking area for Ruby Beach. “That’s…it. That’s really it”. He’d become like a child all of a sudden.
“Hey, I’m the Geography student here, I’m the one who’s supposed to get excited by oceans” replied Seb in a mock-angry tone. “Anyhow, Martin, what’s up?”
Martin was comparatively annoyed. “Lights keep flickering whenever we brake. It’s only minor at the moment, but it means either the alternator or the battery are about to go bust”.
“Shite” replied Seb.
“Yeah, not good. I’m gonna look under the hood, do you mind finding the service manual and seeing when the battery was last changed?”
“No problems, shall d- Hang on, where’s James?”
James was already running down the hill to the sea. Martin managed managed to catch a glimpse of him just as he disappeared around some bushes.
“I think he’s gone to see the sea” said Martin.
“Well that solves that then” replied Seb, bringing out the service book and flicking through it.
James, meanwhile, had found the beach, and was quietly sitting by watching the sea. For all his typical laddish hardness, he had a soft spot for certain things, and one of them was beautiful parts of the world. This was no exception; not only had finally managed to see the Pacific properly, but he’d done it on an recluse, other-wordly beach, surrounded by pine trees and covered in dead trunks. A little way out to see, a large cut-off rock stood, surrounded by smaller stacks that had once been part of the mainland. He thought to himself, ‘if I were a film director, I’d definitely use this place for something’.
.
Back on the road, Southend Or Bust were no longer quite at the back, having overtaken some of the teams that had also stopped at Ruby Beach. The going was good, though Martin was keen to solve the battery/alternator problem.
“I’m still thinking its the battery, it’s 4 years old and it looks pretty tatty too” he said.
“Yeah?” replied Seb “And we haven’t got a spare on us have we?”
Martin chuckled. “Nope!”
James was behind the wheel now, still smiling about that beach.
“God, James” said Martin, “that beach really made you happy didn’t it”
“It did, Martin. It so did”. James’s thoughts returned to the beach.
“God you guys” exclaimed Martin. “First Seb meeting his mancrush and now James finding a beach. It’s made you two so soppy!”
James and Seb looked at one another. “Don’t get too jealous” said Seb.
“Oi” replied Martin. “Well never you mind, I will have my soppy moment too”.
Silence in the car. James snickered. Martin did too. “That sounded so wrong” he said.
.
At last, they made it to the Columbia River estuary, and the border with Oregon.
“Woop woop!” shouted James as they climbed onto the Astoria-Megler Bridge.
“Yeah!” returned Seb. “Good driving guys, I think we’re doing quite well for time”
“Shit, are you actually checking?” said Martin.
“Er…no?” said Seb. “Eh, who cares”.
The other two agreed.
As they continued over the bridge, Martin thought of something. “Wait, wait, I recognise this”
“What, have you been here before?” asked James.
“No, it’s um…”
“What?” returned James.
“Oooh! It’s from a film, with Arnold Schwarzenegger in it” said Martin excitedly, “One of his funny ones”
“I didn’t know he was in any funny films” said Seb. In fact he’d barely watched any Arnie films at all.
“Oh god I know it, this place we’re coming up to is where it’s set, he’s an undercover police man and there are loads of little kids”
James looked aghast, slightly shocked. “What sort of film is this?”
“KINDEGARTEN COP!” Martin shouted, surprising the other two.
Silence.
“Okay…” said James shortly after, slightly bemused.
6 Likes
team 1'); drop table participants; --
Introduction | PreviouslyFriday, 6pm-8pm
Sitting in city traffic, driving through Port Angeles
Da Wei : I’m glad they provided a GPS for us. Well a map too for the older folks if they prefer it. But we can see where the other participants are with this GPS. Which is…… 30 miles+ ahead of us. how much ground have we gained up again?
Frank: The only thing I know is we’ve lost about 45 minutes. We shouldn’t have trusted in that damn battery from the start.
Da Wei : well. it is an old car. it might be that the alternator is on it’s limit and is going out soon. which, i hope doesn’t happen on the road. i’ll check it again when we’re at the next stop.
Frank: I wouldn’t worry about that, we got a new alternator prior to the roadtrip. That should do. When do we finally get out of that town?
Da Wei : it’s a small-ish city. so we’ll be stuck here for 30 mins at worse. maybe? so. among the few snacks that we brought, what did we brought?
Frank: Uh, bought some apples at where we started, and I brought some cookies. Leibniz, De Beukelaer, … it’s in the box behind the driver’s seat.
Da Wei : i’ll fetch the apple then. while it’s still fresh, you want some too?
Frank: Yea, give me one too. Helps against tiredness.
Da Wei reclined his seat trying to expand his arm’s reach. fetching the bags of snacks, and taking out 2 vacuum sealed apples and then opening both of them before handing one to Frank.
Da Wei : here you go.
Frank: thanks. takes a bite of the apple as traffic starts rolling again
On a straight stretch of road somewhere past Lake Crescent. Frank is pulling past a pickup truck, the speedometer approaching 80 mph.
Da Wei : hey. i know we’re trying to catch up here. but doing 80 in this road is reckless. slow down. besides, the time we lose by slowing down, we make up for less time refuelling. plus i’m gonna take a nap now, so i can drive the next stint. so be reasonable. okay?
Frank: lifts off throttle, puts on a sarcastic undertone Right, forgot we’re in ‘murica. The land of the V8 and the land of travelling at crawling speed. Guess we’re never gonna catch up. sigh
Da Wei : bitch all you want. catching up slowly is still better to me than never catching up at all because our car breaks down. now. i’m going to sleep
Frank: Okay, I’ll let you sleep for some hours. But some time in the evening we should do a driver change. I’m getting tired as well. Plus, we’ll need to refuel. Only got about one third a tank left.
Morale: +2 (+1 total)
Fatigue: +3 (+5 total)
6 Likes
Friday 4-6PM
Mr Hankey Rolls into the parking area at Ruby Beach.
Bill: This is really nice, Aunt Toni!
Toni: It’s nice, sure, but I’ll take the Gold Coast anyday.
Bill: Really? Ooh, there! That’ll make the best photo. Hold on.
Toni: We should probably grab a bite here somewhere. Then maybe a driver change.
Bill*: Agreed. And I’ll take the wheel. You jump in the back and have a rest. Fred can stay on the maps.
Toni: Fred?
Bill: (Gestures at Wookiee)
Toni: Why don’t you two get along?
Bill: Don’t have to. Besides, he messes with other people. Someone will eventually snap. Then, I’ll be forced to back him up, not an idea that I relish.
Beach wander and burgers down, they return to the patiently waiting V8 powered giant borrie.
Wookiee: My drive!
Bill: Fail! I’m up.
Wookiee: I’m still navigating then? Fine. Tomorrow, that wheels mine.
Bill: We’ll See.
4 Likes
And I’d do it again! MUHAHAHAHAHA.
###On another note,
I think I failed to clarify something with regards to upcoming POI and next waypoint. These are informational, and not happening during the current data posting. a couple of you in this last round have posted that you are at or beyond Ruby Beach. Not a single car has gotten there yet (but very close for many). I put the POIs out so you can PM me if your team wants to stop/rest/gawk in the next round of data (because it affects many things like mileage, morale, and fatigue). The Waypoints I throw out for RP flavor, but you do not actually reach or interact with the waypoint until I state in your team’s notes that you’ve made it to there. With the teams starting to stagger significantly in mileage, this will become more apparent. I’ll PM the people I’ve spotted who are a little ahead in their RP.
While we’re on topics of upcoming stuff
Overnight rest. You can Google and specify a place you’d like your team to stay overnight (campground, hotel, etc.) if you wish and I will make sure to run your team’s stats accordingly. If you don’t PM me to specify something, I will assume the first night you camp at Fort Stevens State Park in northern Oregon.
10 Likes
I was getting a bit confused with everyone talking about getting to Ruby Beach and even crossing into Oregon already. I thought I was a lot further behind in my RP than I really am. I also hope to get some RP up soon as well, been busy and this has been progressing a bit faster than I expected overall.
Would hotels reduce fatigue more than if we overnighted in tents or our car?
5 Likes