Rusty Announces the Power Wheels Race! (May 10-11, 2014)

From the creative mind(s) who brought you lots of crazy fun stuff, including the internet sensation Cthurkey, we have the introduction of Lubbock's own Power Wheel race. Mark your calendars and get to building! In his own words:

Okay… in the endless quest for fun, but really stupid things to do ( or conversely stupid but really fun) There’s going to be a power wheels race come May 10-11. A page will be made at https://powerwheelsracing.lsdg.orgAs the details are hammered out, they’ll be posted there.

Rules are going to be vaguely based on these guys – obviously several of their organizational things don’t apply

Summery for those who just want the gist:

· o Chassis from a ‘power wheels’ style toy

· o Electrically powered, 12-36 volts.

· o Racing for fun in a parking lot. Adult drivers.

· o Built as cheaply as possible, recycle, reuse, repurpose!

o The guideline for no more than $500 dollars is a big point of this. Less is more. I don’t think anyone is really interested in maintaining a log of receipts, so this will be on the honor system. If you manage to build something for the cost of a roll of duct tape that can roll an adult around… you definitely succeed! Cheaper and scrounged is much cooler than throwing cash until it goes fast!

Currently there are 4 vehicles being planned, the more is merrier!

If you want to participate, but don’t want to do bad funthings to a beloved toy… race ‘officials’ would be very welcome, and anything that isn’t clear a profoundly unsafe idea is encouraged!

No entry fees! No paper work! No liability on my part!

Things that haven’t been decided yet:

Exact format of race:

Sprints, endurance, combo, ¼ mile? If you are building a entry you get a say

Exact location/ layout of track:

Probably an empty parking lot somewhere in town, suggestions that don’t cost anything are very welcome! Ones that are just cheap are still welcome!

I don’t have a score board, a racing ‘tree’, or an automated timer so that’ll need to be sorted out…

Things that are quite certain –

If you build an entry, bring an electrical fire appropriate fire extinguisher. Adult drivers. Cheap Prizes.

 

May your days be filled with fun, but really stupid things to do.

 

I was very excited, now I am pretty excited - Ford C-Max Solar Energi

To start with, my family's most (realistically) appealing electric cars on the market today are the Ford Plug-In hybrids (PHEV). The Energi versions of the C-Max and the Fusion top our list for what we'd go buy today if we had it in the budget. Yes, we'd rather have a Tesla, but considering the price point, we'd buy one (or two) of the Fords for a lot less money.

And, during the government bail-outs a few years back, Ford impressed us a great deal more than GM or Chrysler. And the Prius PHEV has a dismally low electric-only range.

So imagine my excitement when I see a solar-powered C-Max pop up on all the EV and green media outlets.

Clean Technica Solar C-Max Article

This car can sit in the sun (sort of) for 6 hours, and then drive you 21 miles without using a plug-in or a gas station. With a full tank of petrol, it can take you 620 miles without stopping. So we've got an off-grid around-town EV and a long-range family road tripper when needed.

But my initial misunderstanding came with the idea that this car had built-in fresnel lenses to amplify the solar panel. After a closer reading, I came to understand that the lenses would be placed in a carport-like structure and the car would be parked under it. So, it won't charge up through solar power in six hours just anywhere. It would do that only under its special carport.

Even so, it's pretty darn cool! The idea of a mass-produced car from an established manufacturer that can power itself for the majority of its travel without a plug-in or a gas pump...bring it on!

May you travel cleanly soon.

Electric Vehicle Glossary

Cool Fresnel Lense Video - Please don't try this at home without inviting me over to watch.

And the final Mesquite Hugger Response Post

(Fish-eye Oak Tree)

 

Being lazy, but we had three more responses over the weekend. Here they are in total:

Thank you to everyone who contributed!

May you have a wonderful day!

A Quick Trip to Austin - Part 1(The Mesquite Hugger 100th Post!)

Grizz and I made a short trip to Austin Friday-Saturday, so I feel compelled to keep you informed of the green-ness we encountered.

Electric car count:
1 blue Nissan Leaf
6 Chevy Volts in Austin
4 Chevy Volts out on the road
3 Tesla Model S in Austin (Poor Grizz had to endure a lot of my dorky enthusiasm)
Several Ford CMAXes, but I never get close enough to see if they are the plug-in models.

Electric Scooter News:
We visited Electric Avenue Scooters (off of North Lamar). I could not be near a shop that sells nothing but electric vehicles and not stop by. We met the owners and I had the opportunity to test ride a lightly used Vectrix VX-2 scooter - and fell in love just a little bit.
http://www.electricavenuescooters.com/

The VX-2 costs less than $3000 new, this one was priced at a negotiable $2100 and still had roughly 18 months of warranty left. And it was fun! It was quick, it handled well, and the regen braking (which recharges the battery pack while braking) was great fun! Yes, I fell in love a lot, but my overcrowded garage and undercrowded bank account made it a bad idea to bring it home. If you, however, are looking for phenomenally cheap, fun, and Mesquite Hugger friendly transportation, you could do a lot worse! (Go buy a scooter!)

They also have some electric scooters with close to a 100 mile range (!!!!). My little Vectrix was only rated at 45-55 miles. If you stop in, please tell them that the Mesquite Hugger sent you. It's a great shop and they are definitely living one of my dreams.

Oh, and by the way, this is the Mesquite Hugger 100th post.
I kept thinking I would do a big extravaganza for this milestone, but this ain't no extravaganza, it's a blog. I hope you enjoy and learn a few things. I sure enjoy researching and posting here.

May you reach a milestone soon, and may it be an enjoyable one! (Thank you for reading!!!!)

Bonus link for the day:
Electric Avenue - Eddy Grant

 

Another Survey Response Follow-Up

Due to popular demand (Hi Keith and Spencer), the survey is being re-opened through the weekend. So, anyone who did not get their say, please jump in!

The now infamous survey! Click here to respond.

And the public face of West Crust was very happy to know that WC had received the largest number of votes for favorite local business.

May your voice be heard and may there be joy in your voicing!

Stop living in a trashy neighborhood!

I have been walking a lot lately, and on my walks I have come to realize something shocking. I live in a trashy neighborhood.

My first reaction was pretty simple. It is time to move. I need to move to a nicer neighborhood.

My second reaction(s) shot that down a few milliseconds later. I like our house, I like our neighbors, I hate moving, I am too cheap/broke to pay realtors and deposits and all that fun stuff. Then the $ money side kicked in - we have two or three college educations to pay for, the chihuahua needs braces, one of the greyhounds needs bifocals and a toothbrush, the other greyhound needs to be put on a frequent visitor account at the emergency vet…

So, my third reaction hatched a plan. It's time to start a neighborhood cleanup committee. I can create a website or social media page or a blog. I can post flyers and do a direct mail-out.

But that sounded like a lot of work.

So, I came up with another plan, and it is working out great. If you see a dorky middle-aged guy walking around my neighborhood with a little trash bag, that's me carrying out the plan. It's been going a few weeks now, and the neighborhood is looking much better. And my recycle bins are filling up a lot quicker. And I am getting a little exercise. And, I am getting closer to being able to touch my toes.

And I no longer live in a trashy neighborhood.

May you find simple solutions to complex problems.

City of Lubbock Solid Waste Services Homepage
(Be sure to stay on the page long enough to watch the retro-cool-dorky infographics)

Mesquite Hugger Survey Responses

Happy 2014, y'all!

A special thanks goes out to the five people who took time to respond to last year's survey! (Why is it so much fun to say that yesterday was last year?)

Here's a quick run-down of the responses:

What would you like to see more of on Mesquite Hugger?
2 requests for more local news and events
1 for more Power Wheel Racing
1 for a monthly local animal spotlight

What would you like to see less of on Mesquite Hugger?
dingos!


Have you been inspired to make any changes based on what you have read in this blog?
3 yes
    more environmental awareness
    more use of non-disposable cups
    now carries a personal water bottle instead of ordering restaurant drinks
2 almost
   one being dragged along by her spouse
   one less lousy about recycling

When you think of West Texas wildlife, what animal/plant comes to mind first? (Surprising variety)
Fauna: stray cats and dogs, horned lizards, ground hogs
Flora: cactus, tumbleweeds, native grasses

Your favorite local biz?
Local Restaurants
West Crust (twice)
Yellowhouse Coffee
Tristan (hairdresser)
Bangkok Thai

Anything to add?
Good work!
XOXOXOXO
Round Toits are hard to come by (I misread that the first time as "round toilets")

May you have a wonderful year filled with constructive and positive criticism!