Epic E30 Road Trip with Hang Glider on the Roof - Colorado, UT, NV, Area 51, Yosemite

[Cloudbase]

I did a "speed run" to Yosemite National Park a few weeks ago. I had the opportunity to fly my hang glider in Yosemite for a Yosemite Foundation movie called One Day in Yosemite. Flying in Yosemite is beyond amazing, but that was only half the fun. Driving across the Nevada in the E30 was the shit. There was a 4 hour period were I saw 8 other cars. The hang glider on the roof slowed me down considerably, but I still managed 20mpg cruising in the high 90's. The long straights were broken by awesome twisty sections through mountains about every 45 minutes. I was a little worried about breaking down, but the E30 ran like a top. I had to add a half liter of oil, but that was it!

E30 Specs: 1989i converted to is with lots of other bits. 220,000 miles on original M20. H&R Sport Springs, Bilstien Sport Shocks, E90 Drop Hats, Z3 steering rack and 1.9 shifter, E21 Recaros, 17" BBS RGR's, Thule Rack with Rocky Mount Laramie Trays and custom hang glider attachment.

Hang Glider Specs: Wills Wing T2C 154. Carbon fiber crossbar, outer leading edges, and sprogs. Rotor harness with carbon fiber back plate and bolt in main. Icaro Fflight LT carbon fiber helmet. I just posted those so I could type carbon fiber a bunch of times!

I posted just a few pics below. I tell the full story through 100 pics on my blog:

http://cloudbaseimaging.blogspot.com...-100-pics.html

Movie footage will not be up for a couple months.

E30 loaded up with my Hang Glider



Super close ground clearance at my secret camp spot











Nevada













Mono Lake



The Sierras







The Launch Across from Half Dome



Hang Gliding

[Scallywagon]

Nice shoot-up, how'd you get into hang gliding?

Yosemite is really fucking cool, diverse little playground.

[sweet6e30]

WOW. you lucky SOB.

[MR 325]

Some absolutely awesome pictures. How does the hang glider affect the MPGs?

[nadocaster]

You are my hero. This is awesome.

I am so using my E30 to go canoe tripping next summer.

[SpeicherBimmer]

What an awesome trip; those pics are amazing. I love it out West, just wish the wife did. I'm toying with doing an E30 roadtrip to Munich and back but I'm a bit worried about having a break down. Great post!

[Cloudbase]

Nice shoot-up, how'd you get into hang gliding?

It's a lot easier and safer then most people think. You take lessons just like learning to fly airplanes and get ratings from USPHA. Google USHPA.org and there is an FAQ.

Some absolutely awesome pictures. How does the hang glider affect the MPGs?

I got about 20mpg after cruising in the high 90's. At slower speeds it bumps up to 22-23. My wife's Element gets 16 with the glider cruising at 65!

What an awesome trip; those pics are amazing. I love it out West, just wish the wife did. I'm toying with doing an E30 roadtrip to Munich and back but I'm a bit worried about having a break down. Great post!

Do it! The breakdown threat is just part of the adventure.