Maths challege for Object

London-Udine, 1,000 miles (rounded slightly for convenience)

Two stints of roughly 500 miles- one stint per day.

Tank takes 70 litres.

55 mph gives around 35 mpg.

80 mph gives 29 mpg.

135 gives 16 mpg.

Full fuel stop, including decelerating and then accelerating back to cruising speed takes 15 minutes.

What speed would result in the shortest days driving?

First question: how many litres in a gallon, and is it english or american gallons?

4.55 litres is an English Gallon, I believe.

Also : Why do you have a tank on your bike ?

At the risk of stealing Em's Excel thunder.

On the basis that you've got a 15.4 gallon tank:

Option 1 is 9hrs, and less than a tank of fuel (so 9 hours)
Option 2 is 6 1/4 hrs, and less than two tanks of fuel (so 6 1/2 hours)
Option 3 is just under 3 3/4 hours, and is slightly over two tanks of fuel (so 4 1/4 hours)

Given the size of the tank, the length of fuel stops are generally insignifcant compared to the time saved by driving faster. I think that cost would be more of a factor.

Ok, £1.29 per litre is the (when I last filled up) price.

So, looks like we now need to balance cost vs. time.

jetpacks are faster, and more fuel effecient.

You have a jet pack that will carry three bikes, two passengers, and luggage?

EDIT// And not be affected by volcanic ash.

no.. :( and actually my jetpack doesn't go 135mph either..

135mph? I'm not paying your speeding fines.. let's get the straight right now. :P

135 gives 16 mpg.

Bit ambitious, Neil.

that guy's got a sign on his back

that guy's got a sign on his back

They're actually folded up wings.

Jetpack's mounting plate...

Object is shit at this kind of thing, ask me.

I reckon it is 74%

It means nothing without a diagram, though.

Dammit, your calculation ignores a couple of salient factors. First, fuel is differently priced in France and Italy. Secondly the Euro is subject to fluctuation. Do you start with a full tank which will be more costly in UK priced fuel or leave with a half empty tank in the hope of filling up in France? What if the Euro swings violently in the meantime?

I've been considering that Clive- I have half a tank at the moment, trip display is showing approx 200 miles to empty.

I'm tempted to fill up in France once out of the train, then fill up again in Germany.

I suppose a better question would be "if I stick to the speed limit +/- 10% the whole way, assuming that on the de-restricted autobahn I will be doing 155mph (limited speed of vehicle) then how many times and in which countries will I re-fuel, and how long will it take".

England>tunnel>France>Belgium>Germany>Italy (near Trieste).

The last time I crossed the channel with the band we tried that... It took us over an hour to find a petrol station...
#retards

There is a petrol station just off the tunnel. Quite highly priced though, if I remember correctly.

assuming that on the de-restricted autobahn I will be doing 155mph (limited speed of vehicle)

Poor assumption. They still have traffic on an autobahn, and even if they didn't 155 is quite scary and demanding no matter how swish your car is.

It's not a swish car- it's a Volvo, other drivers will dive for the inside lane in fear.

There is a petrol station just off the tunnel. Quite highly priced though, if I remember correctly.

I had assumed that the nearest to the tunnel exit would be on the expensive side.

Would anyone know of a way of checking the prices through Europe?

what about head winds?