Cross Country Elan

[Ross Robbins]

Some of you may remember that I am planning a cross country trip in my Elan this spring. In preparation for that adventure I have begun a blog to get the word out to anyone who might be interested in either meeting up somewhere along the way or just following the progress and story.

The original post is here: https://lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=47576&start=15
I also am soliciting donations to the kids at Roundup River Ranch and have set up a donation page for the Ranch. While I will be funding my own expenses for this trip, I would appreciate any support you may feel like contributing for the kids.

The link to the blog called Cross Country Elan, is here: http://www.xcountryelan.com

If you want to be notified of any updates to the blog as they are posted, just subscribe using the FOLLOW button after entering your email address above that.

If you wish to donate, use the rounded button marked DONATE HERE and give whatever you can even if it is a small amount. It all adds up and it helps the kids.

And, finally, if you wish to connect along the route which will be published as a general path soon and with specific daily routes about a week in advance, click on MENU (the three bars in the upper right hand corner) and use the contact button.

Here’s hoping to see you or virtually connect with you in the next few months.

Cheers,
Ross

[StressCraxx]

Safe Lotusing! Hope to see you when you are out our way.

Regards,
Dan Wise

[Ross Robbins]

I am blogging regularly about the preparations for the trip here http://www.xcountryelan.com and I am about to post daily driving segments. If any of these look like they will be near you and you would like to meet up or join me, let me know with the contact button on the upper right of the page in the menu.Or, email me at lotusross at comcast dot net.

If you have local knowledge that can warn me I have made a poor choice of available routes, let me know that too.

I have my Covid shots so I AM going the first part of April!!

[69S4]

That's one hell of a trip Ross. I'm pretty sure both you and the Elan are up for it though and I'll be following the blog with interest. I was just reading the section bemoaning the shortcomings of the std Elan soft top and, as the owner of the coupe version, I'd just say be careful what you wish for. The soft top may leak like a sieve but by the time summer arrives you'll be grateful for it. A couple of years ago I took my car down to the south of France in August and the temperature hit 45C (110+F) inside the cabin. Those temperatures and vinyl seats are not a match made in heaven!

I'm guessing Covid travel restrictions are not as big an issue in the US as they are in Europe. It's not really possible to go anywhere at all over here at present so my (smaller scale) similar ideas have been put on hold for the second year. My plan was to take a 53yr old two stroke motorcycle from the UK down to North Africa, duplicating a trip I did in 1970 and compare / contrast / draw conclusions about life/ the universe/ everything between the two trips. That latter part would (will) see the light of day in book form, the initial spark for which I have you to thank when you helped me out with the mechanics of getting into print many years ago. Reading through your blog has reminded me I ought to do something similar. In the meantime I'll be taking inspiration from yours.

[Ross Robbins]

Thanks for the support Stuart. As Tim Wilkes said,..."it's only water and as we know, skin is waterproof!"

As to Covid and travel restrictions, you are right that it is a bit easier in the USA but also I will be essentially alone most of the time and will have had both jabs (second one scheduled for March 3!) and will be on back roads and small towns so the risk seems small. Besides, someone needs to provide a great act of individual liberty to start the mainspring of commerce and it may as well be me.

I had looked for your book on Amazon but did not find it. Could you send a link so that I might buy a copy. I would very much like to have it. Your next one sounds equally amazing. Make sure to let us all know when it is available in a year or two.

Cheers,

[Ross Robbins]

Well the weather looks good, the car is ready, I’m all packed and it seems as though all signs are positive. So I will be leaving on Sunday April 11, 2021 on the first leg. While I have planned the route carefully I know that Eisenhower was right when he said "In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable." 

If you are interested in the actual progress, be sure to subscribe to the blog at http://www.xcountryelan.com to see my planned daily post from the road. And if you wish to join me for a segment, contact me through the above blog to make arrangements to connect. 



See you on the road!!

[billmoore42]

I would love to take a trip like this, but my 4 speed with a 3.77 diff makes prolonged freeway cruising feel like I am abusing the twin cam.

Can you mention if you have a 4 or 5 speed and what differential ratio you have? Maybe I am paranoid, but my 1700 cc stroker twin cam sounds a bit overworked at 3800 to 4200 rpm when cruising at 70-75 mph around here.

[StressCraxx]

I would love to take a trip like this, but my 4 speed with a 3.77 diff makes prolonged freeway cruising feel like I am abusing the twin cam.

Can you mention if you have a 4 or 5 speed and what differential ratio you have? Maybe I am paranoid, but my 1700 cc stroker twin cam sounds a bit overworked at 3800 to 4200 rpm when cruising at 70-75 mph around here.

Two words: "B" Roads. Interstates are no fun in an Elan. I have the same gearing as you.
Best to plan one's routes on the lesser traveled two lane roads, preferably with curves and pleasant sights.

[TBG]

Bill "I would love to take a trip like this, but my 4 speed with a 3.77 diff makes prolonged freeway cruising feel like I am abusing the twin cam."

Bill have you not been following my posts regarding a 3:1 CWP? A triumph all round - top is a cruise but a very fast one at that and the other gears are a hoot. 70mph at 3400rpm- What's not to like?

[65sunbeam]

Have a safe and fun trip Ross!
Hope to see you when you are in South Carolina-will send you a message about that.
Eric

[billmoore42]

TBG:

Thanks for the update and encouragement. I ordered a 3.1 CWP from the outfit in Scotland and have it in my garage. Having replaced the Rotoflex couplings a year ago, I have unpleasant memories of trying to get the bolts to line up, so I have not taken the leap and pulled out the driveshafts and the couplings again to get at the differential.

My other concern is the way I have to feather the clutch a bit when I start out in first gear to avoid stallng. I have been told this is due to the donuts, and getting CV driveshaft conversion would solve this and make the car pull away in first more like my MGB or a normal car?

So I will probably make this a CV driveshaft conversion project when I take the differential out. I understand installing and uninstalling the CV driveshafts should be easy compared to the donuts?

[Ross Robbins]

Thanks Eric, I look forward to connecting


Bill Moore

As Stresscraxx noted, and as is fully explained on my blog, I will be taking B roads almost exclusively for just the reasons you suggest. I do have a 4 speed C/R transmission and a 3.55 diff ratio that helps. I can cruise at 65 at just over 3,500 rpm and the car seems happy there.

I start gingerly with the 3.55 and cannot imagine a hill start with a 3.1. In fact it seems to me that TBG should have started a new thread to proselytize for his favorite ratio and not divert from this one about a very long trip in a very big country.

[h20hamelan]

Thanks Eric, I look forward to connecting a very big country.

Big continent eh!

[SENC]

Good luck and wishing you safe passage on your journey, Ross!

[billmoore42]

Ross:

Thanks for the info on your 3.55 and the B roads. I dread that I may change to a 3.1 CWP, and then find I have to change back to something like a 3.55 due to tough starting on hills. At least with the 3.55, you have about 200 less rpm at highway speeds than the more standard 3.77