The 100 Mile Challenge

[Tiberius]

Hi David,

Its not finalised yet (I'm chasing the elusive last letter), but I'll email you some likely bits if you'd like to check them.

Can you import a *.gpx file into Google Earth or a mapping program, or do you need old fashioned "proceed in a westerly direction...." text?

Nick

 

[Fecn]

Yes, batteries can't be added or removed, but they can be charged.

The reasoning behind all this is that it should be something that pushes the technology. Swapping batteries at lunchtime is too easy, but stopping to charge them in situ makes you trade off charging time against needing to go faster.

So basically, whoever has the fastest charger can carry the least batteries. Those of us with a 1.8A panasonic charger will only be able to top-up their batteries by a measly 20%, whereas those of us with chargers able to deliver higher currents and do a full charge in an hour will incur less of a weight penalty by needing to carry less batteries.

Although I agree that it shouldn't be allowed to swap batteries en-route, or dump empty batteries in the bushes, not being able to swap batteries at the halfway point just seems like a way to bias things in favour of people with faster chargers. Not that I'm complaining.. I have a 10A charger which will charge anything I can throw at it and besides which, it's looking unlikely I'll be able to attend (midweek... start of the school term.. wife at work the next morning etc).

 

[Tiberius]

Biassing things in favour of better equipment is not something I'm ashamed about. Part of the aim is to encourage better technology.

There's also the "credibility" test. What would an intelligent media reporter make of it?

100 miles without recharging is a 100 mile EV.
100 miles with en route recharging is still a 100 mile EV.
But swapping batteries halfway is two journeys by a 50 mile EV.

Nick

 

[Fecn]

Biassing things in favour of better equipment is not something I'm ashamed about. Part of the aim is to encourage better technology.

There's also the "credibility" test. What would an intelligent media reporter make of it?

100 miles without recharging is a 100 mile EV.
100 miles with en route recharging is still a 100 mile EV.
But swapping batteries halfway is two journeys by a 50 mile EV.

Nick

I can understand the desire to reward better equipment and would like to see that rewarded too but it all depends on which part of 'better' you're trying to address.

My 10A charging option uses a 25A Benchtop PSU powering a Bantam 902 RC charger (charges every different battery chemistry up to 50V, at charge rates up to 10A 200Wmax). The PSU+Charger combo weighs in at around 3.5kg. The switchmode PSU also burns around 35W of juice just sitting there doing nothing.

My Panasonic charger charges only one kind of battery and only at 1.8A. It weighs in at 0.75kg. 54Watts of charge power in total.

My Ping battery charger delivers 4A and weighs 400g.

The benchtop combo is clearly 'better' as it charges faster, but the Ping charger is also clearly 'better' is it offers a charge to weight ratio of 300W/Kg (versus 72W/kg for panasonic or 57w/kg for benchtop combo)

Perhaps some of the bias could be removed by carrying the charger on the bikes too? (e.g. everyone charging their bikes takes along whatever they need to plug into UK mains outlet). That way, people like me with big switchmode DC supplies and RC chargers would be penalised by having to carry them around for the duration of the route, but people with small lightweight chargers would not.

If I had to carry the charger(s), I would take the ping battery+charger and a couple of panasonic batteries which wouldn't get recharged.

If I didn't have to carry the charger, I would clearly use the benchtop combo plus two panasonic chargers to top up all three batteries.

 

[Tiberius]

Perhaps some of the bias could be removed by carrying the charger on the bikes too? (e.g. everyone charging their bikes takes along whatever they need to plug into UK mains outlet).

I agree that would be a purer test. It something I considered and I think I'd want to see it that way in future events. This year, though, the mid point stop is the same place as the start and finish, so its simpler to leave the chargers in one place. Anyone wanting to do ad-hoc en route charging will have to carry a charger, though.

Nick

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Route

Hi David,

Its not finalised yet (I'm chasing the elusive last letter), but I'll email you some likely bits if you'd like to check them.

Can you import a *.gpx file into Google Earth or a mapping program, or do you need old fashioned "proceed in a westerly direction...." text?

Nick

Hi Nick no problems a gpx file would be grand.

All the best David

 

[Tiberius]

David,

I've sent you a file with a selection of interesting route segments. These will be joined up to make two 25 mile runs and two 50 mile runs.

I've also updated the webpages.

Nick

Ching Challenge 2009
Exmoor 2009 FAQ
Exmoor 2009 Base

 

[frank9755]

Sounds great, Nick
I'm really looking forward to it!

Frank

 

[Tiberius]

Battery Combining

For the 100 mile ride, it is necessary to carry extra batteries. One option is use them one at a time and swap them over.

A better method is to wire them all in together. The advantages of this are not only the convenience. The load is shared between the batteries, so its better for the batteries and the bike will perform better on hills.

In most cases, however, isolating diodes are needed between the batteries to prevent reverse currents. With the diodes in place, batteries of different capacities, different states of charge, and even different chemistries can be combined.

Schottky diodes have traditionally been used for this purpose, but I now have available some Ideal Diodes.

Here's the post in the classified section http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/classifieds/4531-ideal-diodes-battery-combining.html

Here are some threads where these have been discussed
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/4140-ideal-diodes.html?highlight=diodes
Endless-sphere.com • View topic - Ideal Diodes - New High Current Version

Nick

 

[tenderbehind]

I'd have liked to have done this but I'll be in Wales on the 9th, though I'll take the Wisper with me and do my own 100 miles, (I'm bound to win).
Maybe next year I'll do the 100 miler Ching Challenge.

 

[Tiberius]

Waypoint checking

I have a question for the participants in the Exmoor ride.

Does everyone have a mobile phone with a camera, or a small camera, that they will be carrying?

What I'm planning is to copy the way they do it in gliding competitions. At key waypoints you have to take a photograph to prove you have been there.

Nick

 

[frank9755]

I could bring one but wasn't planning to!

On the basis that one of the things which makes cycling less enjoyable is additional stops with loss of momentum, I'd suggest it wouldn't enhance the experience to have to stop to take lots of pictures!

Frank

 

[Tiberius]

Hi Frank,

Its just one or two checkpoints, not every road junction, and I'm looking for a way of not having to have them manned by people with clipboards asking for your ID card.

Other ways are to get you to answer a question about the place or to pick up a token, but the photograph strikes me as easier and better all round. You should really have a mobile phone with you anyway.

Nick

 

[frank9755]

Makes sense - certainly better than someone standing and shivering!
My phone doesn't have a camera but I can pack one if needed.

 

[Conal]

mobile phone pictures

Nick

At last a reason to use the camera on my spare mobile phone. Its too expensive to use for phone calls!

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Is there a route map? I've tried downloading one which was given on this thread a few days ago, but it wouldn't open. A simple jpeg or PDF or even an approximate Word list of villages on the route would be helpful.

Thank you.

 

[Tiberius]

Just sent you a pm, Andy.

Nick

 

[frank9755]

Nick,

I'm heading down to Devon on Saturday morning, to visit some friends and do a little bike ride to get loosened up for next Wednesday. Is there any info I need to get beforehand (eg route), or anything else I should bring? Or will it all become clear when we assemble on Tuesday evening?

Thanks,

Frank

 

[Tiberius]

...Or will it all become clear when we assemble on Tuesday evening?

Sent you an email about the route Frank, but I can do less about the weather.

Nick

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Thanks for the maps, Nick.

This has probably been clarified already, but presumably the route will be in sections, so people not doing the whole 100 miles can do part. If so, will the sections be described, at least very roughly. Eg '20 miles, mostly off road, mostly not steep' (not that I am fantasizing, you understand.)