Hill Climb Event in San Francisco May 14th...

[Alan B]

I may take a run over to Slacker's peak in a bit and see what the fuss is about.

Then again, maybe next weekend. Today is turning out a bit too busy. Oh well, had a nice ride yesterday...

[Green Machine]

I am planning to go up there at some point today.

Its drizzling now.

I need three things badly for the hill race.

#1 A radar gun....can anyone bring one or loan me one...anyone know where i can get a good price on one.

#2 walkie talkies....can anyone bring a set?

#3 Astro 3220 motor...used or new...i can either buy it off you or trade you for new one in 2 months when i get a new one back ordered from matt. Please fellas...help me out with this one.

I need the latter so i have a chance to roast Physics ass once the green flag drops.

[liveforphysics]

I love some competition.

I'm bringing 2 bikes. A dual RC motor downhill bike running exactly 3kw for the commuter class.

And an Agni 95R powered extended swing arm BMX for unlimited class.

[Green Machine]

Oh sorry big guy physics

I forgot you were listening...

omg an agni 95r....that thing can power a small airplane..holy easter....nevermind about me winning the hill race.

Do you happen to have a 3220 you could loan me for few months?

You know anyone i could approach?

[liveforphysics]

Oh sorry big guy physics

I forgot you were listening...

omg an agni 95r....that thing can power a small airplane..holy easter....nevermind about me winning the hill race.

Do you happen to have a 3220 you could loan me for few months?

You know anyone i could approach?

No 3220's, but I do have 6 Agni 95R's sitting in a pile at my workshop right now. Welcome to borrow one of those.

[Green Machine]

:D

I love some competition.

I'm bringing 2 bikes. A dual RC motor downhill bike running exactly 3kw for the commuter class.

And an Agni 95R powered extended swing arm BMX for unlimited class.

Oh Physics...i didn't change the rule just because of you so dont get suspicious ...but the rule i defined way back in the beginning of this thread (with your help with advice on voltages) is "anything over 2kw" is automatically unlimited.....so maybe you need to dummy down your downhill bike or enter it as another "unlimited" in case you smoke one on the starting line

[liveforphysics]

:D

I love some competition.

I'm bringing 2 bikes. A dual RC motor downhill bike running exactly 3kw for the commuter class.

And an Agni 95R powered extended swing arm BMX for unlimited class.

Oh Physics...i didn't change the rule just because of you so dont get suspicious ...but the rule i defined way back in the beginning of this thread (with your help with advice on voltages) is "anything over 2kw" is automatically unlimited.....so maybe you need to dummy down your downhill bike or enter it as another "unlimited" in case you smoke one on the starting line

Ohh, my mistake. It's effortless to set the sevcons to just allow 1kw each rather than 1.5kw each,so no harm done.

[Doctorbass]

No 3220's, but I do have 6 Agni 95R's sitting in a pile at my workshop right now. Welcome to borrow one of those.

Are these all yours???

Luke, What did you planed to do with.... 6 agni 95R ???

Doc

[Green Machine]

Regarding Physics Agni 95r stash...check out link here: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=27301 ...my guess is he is planning to make an awd electric civic...and an awd bmx bicycle..thats 6...I want to take life insurance policy out on that guy and make some money..

[Alan B]

Six gives Luke enough to "test" and still have some left for "use".

[Green Machine]

I will have done tonight or tomorrow official race rules ...right now just brainstorming with you guys. Right now i am thinking of a rule no electric motors that were ever used to power small aircraft allowed except in motorcycle section ...no just joking cant handicap physics now just cuz he tipped his hand. He just scared optibike away thats for sure...no suprise visit from them...probably now to none of our races...thanks physics . Team opti vs physics would have been one of those ES priceless moments.

By the way Multiple Bikes are allowed to be entered from one rider, but each bike can only run in one section...and multiple run attempts are allowed...so bring plenty of amp hours...Lets say maximum runs are 3 just so it doesnt get ridiculous.

Allowing more runs will make it funner to spectate (more riding attempts more chances of crashes and blow ups) and more fair to judge the machines since one failure (flat tire or wreck or something) won't ruin it for one machine.... this is like the nba playoffs...all is not decided with just one game.

Best time wins...and we will have world record climb records etc...so that any of us can return to the peek anytimg to test our new prototype and see how it stacks up....i think we are going to get some terrific data here folks. I think i am going to request from each a rider a paper print out with specs of your bike...or you can email me a few days before.

We will have to play it by ear...but if there is a line of racers waiting to start...racers who have not raced yet will get priority.

Racers can race as they show up...so they dont have to burn amp hours climbing the hill to say hi to everybody...and then come back down to race.

I suggest making a run of it as soon as you show up. There will be a race official at the bottom of hill with walkie talkie who ill sign you in and set you off.

[Doctorbass]

Six gives Luke enough to "test" and still have some left for "use".

Yeah.. Luke, put one of those turning into plasma for us!

[ryan]

Phew, I think I have my battery issue at least partially figured out. At least enough to compete for 0.4 miles. But I'll certainly be charging at the foot of the hill just to top off. At least I'll be able to compete.

And if I can get a few Headway cells shipped to me before then I'll be fully back in action with 80v freshly charged with an x5 to make a solid summit attempt.

[Green Machine]

Ok went to the hill today and did some serious planning with some buddies. You guys are right it is not that steep. Between 15-20 percent maximum grade is all. But it feels pretty steep.

Ok so i have all the information to need to start cranking out the actual race schedule and course.

I will run past some of the details now and let me know if all sounds AOK.

$10 donation from all entrants...we will also try to get donations from endless sphere crowd even people not at the race. All donations will go strictly to prize money.

There will be 4 classes....race will start up the hill aways to avoid unnecessary attention by the ranger. Also we found by starting on the coastal trail, the course is more scenic with some more varied terrain (not all hill climb), and spectators can see most of the race from one high vantage point at finish line.

There will be 3 officials on cell phones or walkie talkies at 3 points...start, middle (with radar gun) and finish at the top. Starting official will take your picture at beginning of race...will ready set go and record your starting time on a synchronized clock at starting point. You will be given a race number to put on your jersey. Race to the top where the second synchronized clock will record your time and calculate your course time.

11-12pm set up time...please come guys who want to help us lug supplies to the top of the hill etc. Please come early as well if you want to help officiate.

High noon on the dot racing will start.

12noon-1pm - Commuter Class- approximate quarter mile race starting a way down the coastal trail...you will start, race on some level and then slight downhill on a semi rugged course and then begin your uphill climb to peek.

1pm-2pm - Unlimited Class - Approximate half mile race starting further back on the coastal trail. This will be a rugged race approximately half mile long. It will start with some rugged uphill a ways down the coastal trail, and then converge with the commuter class course...down a hill...some flats...and then the final assault on the peek. This is some unforgettable scenery at all phases of this course. You guys are going to love this...probably will never forget it.

2pm -3pm Climbing class - .2 mile....just straight climb. This is for the safe and sane guys who do not want any speed and want just to experience race without risk of getting hurt. It takes the least skill of all the classes to ride. Just the last .2 miles of the race...but the most scenic of the entire course.

3pm-4pm Gymn Class - .2 mile...just like high school everybody has to go to Gymn Class (sorry to the nerds)...unlimiteds especially...this race will be with battery unplugged for the last .2 miles of the course (same as climbing class). You can pedal or walk. This will test your bike and you the rider for raw efficiency. The fun will be that prizes will be given for people whose race time, and gymn time together are the lowest...dont worry prizes will also be given for the pure top times in the power classes as well...but i think it would behoove us in naming the real champions of the hill climb for the riders with the lowest combined times....so guys get in shape. This way heavy clanky, gearless bikes are penalized a little bit. You must run with the same battery in the bike as you had when you completed power portion of race.

4pm- sunset....Oval track racing at the peek. Barbecue. Bike judging every racer votes on cleanest build, favorite hub drive, favorite non-hub drive and we announce winners at the end. Music...etc.

We got real excited up at the peek today as the sun fell. We thought this event is going to be a blast...i had a flask of whiskey and we did a toast as it got dark over the golden gate bridge...and then blasted our bikes down to the bottom and over the peek on dirt paths in pitch dark to sausalito for a righteous easter dinner in sausalito...even made it to see last 10 minutes of laker game. We thought these guys are really going to love this...you guys will. As long as the ranger doesnt shut us down....or weather is foggy.

slacker peek at nightfall

751696691_QE6e6-L.jpg (79.05 KiB) Viewed 518 times

[Paul_G]

Can we get a TV crew or at least someone with video cameras to record the race for the peeps that cant make it there? Post it on U-tube and with sound as well please

Paul G

[Green Machine]

Olly (olivebakebean here on sphere) a really cool guys has offered to shoot and edit video for the race. He does amazing stuff...check out the video he shot of our first ES get together in the headlands http://vimeo.com/21916303

Also Lyon has said he is going to video as well.

There will be a picture of each rider at the starting line with scenic background we will post on picassowebalbums as well...and collect all other photos that other participants take.

This event is going to be epic and needs to be documented

[ryan]

Thanks for all your work. Sounds awesome and I can't wait.

Can you give us a preview of the routes you have in mind via velomaps.com? It allows you to save each route so we can see it ourselves.

The only feedback might be reducing the routes. It could be a hassle if you don't have enough help. Also, how are you accepting entrance fees? Cash? Square? PayPal?

[Green Machine]

Thanks for all your work. Sounds awesome and I can't wait.

Can you give us a preview of the routes you have in mind via velomaps.com? It allows you to save each route so we can see it ourselves.

The only feedback might be reducing the routes. It could be a hassle if you don't have enough help. Also, how are you accepting entrance fees? Cash? Square? PayPal?

More to come and official race announcement and rules....Most of the course can be seen in one spot for spectators... I like that a bit of reasonable downhill and flats have been thrown into the race....will add to rider skill. This race will involve a lot of rider skillz.

This is going to be an awesome ebike race Oh Scooters allowed as well although will be categorized differently in prize sections and wont have to do Gymn Class.

Next step is like ryan said i am going to map the race course, and run the race course with gopro camera on a bike so you can guys can see the "track"...

OMG...did i tell you guys this is going to be a blast. People who live out of state...its worth driving down to this one.

We found some clearings yesterday that make great gathering/staging points...and then some great starting points.

I am going to start a separate thread where people can pledge donations...and then paypal me...therefore there is a record who donates etc so people get credit for donating #1 and #2 no one thinks im jipping anybody ...also people who are entering the race can make their intentions there, tell us about which machine they are entering, and then say i pledge 10 bucks...etc... I can also take 10 bucks cash up on the trail. Anyone who pledges more than 10 in cash i will give credit on the donation thread. Again 100 percent of donation money will go to prize fund. I will eat the race expenses...but i am hoping some people will bring stuff for the barbecue...and beers. Simply because i dont want to carry it all up the hill. I could use some help getting everything up by the way...so please...i need volunteer on race day to show up early.

If for some reason because of weather or ranger race is cancelled donations will be returned.

[Paul_G]

This would be a good course but going uphill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2qcYjJr ... r_embedded

Paul G

[aaronski]

I'll be bringing beer and food. not sure what yet.

[Nuts&Volts]

As an FYI the TTXGP electric motorcycle race is that weekend at Infineon Raceway. I believe the race is on Sunday thou.

Anyways this thing sounds awesome. I'm in the palo alto area til June and will try to make it out to this event. My family is coming out that weekend so between them and the TTXGP it may be tricky. I'd loved to meet some of you guys. I've only got a 9C, Lyen 12fet controller, and 19-22s of 5Ah Turnigy cells. Its all in a eddie bauer frame with 26in wheels. Do you think i could make it up? it would be fun trying even if it becomes a miserable fail

-Kyle

[aaronski]

damn, stress tested my rig today and blew a cell. I'll be racing with 23s it would seem. I know that bubblegum alcohol smell that means, you've puffed a cell and it's now venting. pull the back apart quick. I cut up the pack and pulled the puffed cell quick, while it continued to smolder. I think I saved the rest of the cells.

also, while smoking, tested the puffed cell and it read 2.0v, so yea, you can certainly damage Turnigy cells pulling 25c. gotta buy more it would seem.

[Alan B]

Bummer. What exactly happened? Drawing 125 amps from a 1P pack?? The factory C ratings have been found to be on the high side, and in a large pack heat buildup will be worse than their expectation for single packs in a heli with great air circulation. The RC folks really push their stuff but have great cooling!

So what should the derating factor be? 20%? 30%? 40%?

Mine have been doing great at 30A but that's only 3C!

[aaronski]

my pack is unusual, they're 2.6 ah 20c packs.4x6s for 24s 2.6ah.

I pulled I think around 1.8ah from them bursting to 30c, but averaging around 8c, then at 3.68 to 3.75v per cell, tried to climb a %15 percent grade up to Arlington ave in El Cerrito. they actually did 3 blocks at 70A(26c) at about 20 mph then pow, felt like a fuse was popped, i killed the power, and smelled puffed pack, pulled the packs from the case, and saw one badly puffed and smoking, and hot hot hot!

I think they could have handled it if the pack had been fresh, I've done 70a on a 66v pack up the same hill using the same cells, but never that depleted, and never without pedaling.
For the race they'll be fresh of the charger. If I get the promotion I've been promised on Fri, I may replace them with 40c rated packs, and bump the amps to 100. If not, i'll just run 23s.

[Green Machine]

OK...links to velomaps with each of the three courses...

First for the straight climb class and the gymn class:

http://veloroutes.org/r/66976

Now for the commuter class course:

http://veloroutes.org/r/66977

And finally the unlimited class:

http://veloroutes.org/r/66978

I will get up there and shoot a video of riding the course.