Well since this was about gas mileage and gearing and the like, here was a real world example where conditions were not ideal for half of the trip( as the real world is often FAR from ideal)...I wonder what the gas mileage would have been if shorter( larger numerically) gearing had been used... this would have allowed Tom to NOT have to mash the gas pedal as much as he did in order to maintain his speed when pitted against 20-30 mph headwinds and gusts up to 55mph, whirlwinds, and driving uphill.
This could mean better mpg for at least the first half of the trip.(and potentially worse mpg on the second leg of the trip) Hmmmm I guess it comes down to averaging HOW MUCH better and HOW MUCH worse. Funny things averages are huh?
