Experimenting with a new route to work

[krousdb]

I tried a new route to work today. Actually it's not completely new, just the last half. It enables me to eliminate the long uphill climb at highway speeds with a shorter, albiet much steeper uphill climb at 25-35 MPH speeds. The trip took about 5 minutes longer (60 minutes vs 55) and ends up being about 1/2 mile shorter. My FE was 59.03 at 34F with 16 MPH westerly winds which puts me head on into the wind for about 1/4 of the trip. My previous best of 60.41 was on 3/6 on my regular route but in that case it was 10F warmer and I had a 9 MPH tailwind. I used 1.580L of fuel. Interestingly enough, todays shorter route at 59.03 MPG took 1.585L.

So this route has possibilities. I did make a few mistakes which probably cost me one or two MPG's. I underestimated the steepness of the really steep incline and took it in 3rd gear. I lugged the engine pretty good until I shifted into second at about 17 MPH. The second mistake was that I missed the exit that I intended to take so I had to go downhill ICE on then back up again. Had I taken the intended route the distance would have been slightly longer, not shorter. I guess I will try it again tomorrow and try to eliminate my mistakes. Unfortunately the headwind will be worse tomorrow, 21 MPH.