Got back from racing at xErace in Prauge! What a blast.
It was my first time flying to a race, so figuring out logistics was a whole thing. Definitely need to figure out a better way next time, this was way too much faf.
Packing For Prague (Batteries)
I shipped my batteries via fedex.
For the batteries, I made a box for them with foam on all sides, reusing the foam that my EUC came packaged in. Can’t be too cautious!
All connectors got Kapton tape. Also threw in this temperature logger (more on that later)
While doing this I notice that the insulation on my BMS connector had started peeling back. Not great
Cut and re-terminated them 
FedEx Tangent
I had a hell of a time figuring out how to actually ship the batteries.
Everywhere I went to quote a hazmat label (to do this “”“properly”“”) just wouldn’t let me checkout.
I ended up buying a general shipping label on Shippo.
On the custom declaration I put “power supplies”. Technically the truth.
Dropping off the batteries at the fedex store, there were signs everywhere about increased scrutiny on packages going to Europe, and they all had to be opened and inspected. Additionally, they specifically couldn’t ship batteries there. Uh oh.
At the counter, the guy asked if there were batteries inside.
I had to answer “Uh… yeah”.
“Leeeeet… me go get a specialist”, and he disappears with my box into the backrooms of the Fedex distribution center
I’m panicking, fully expecting to be denied, trying to figure out a backup plan.
10 minutes later, he pokes his head out.
“You’re good! thumbs up”
Stunned, literally unsure how to react
“good?”
“Yup! It’s on the truck, leaving right now”
No idea how I managed to get so lucky. When I got them in Prague, the box hadn’t even been opened.
Packing for Prague (The Board)
I bought a pelican case for $100 a year ago.
The plan was to build up a foam skeleton to hold the board firmly in the middle of the pelican case, and check it with the airline.
I had to take off my front box extension (Megan/TITS prototype) due to clearing issues (case wasn’t deep enough). Fortunately this was pretty easy, and I happened to have a perfect bubble wrap thing for it to travel in.
Unfortunately, reality derailed my plans. Even paying an overweight fee, the maximum weight It can be is 32kg (70lb). With just the board and tires in the case, I was pushing 36kg(80lb).
With only a few days to go, plane-checking was my only option, so I had to somehow remove a bunch of weight. The only way I could think to do that was to remove the rear truck/motors assembly. Undo the phase wires and the whole rear just rotates off at the hym.
I had enough “spare” weight to throw in all 4 wheels and my safety gear.
(turned out the scale I was using was quite inaccurate, and I was ~2.5 kg overweight at the airport 
. Fortunately the attendant was super kind and pretended it said 32kg 
)
I also through my larger tools (wrench, allen keys) in the pelican as well.
In my carry-on, I had my Roger Charger, rear trucks/motors and front box (Megan/TITS). And clothes. (which I neglected to pack ANY socks)
Bye buddies
I felt silly walking thought the airport with 100lb+ of gear
Travel was uneventful, everything arrived in one piece. Hell yeah.
Reassembly in Europe
My hotel had a comically tight staircase for my to carry my heavy af pelican case up/down 
After a day of R&R in Prauge, It was time to reassemble the board.
The G300s use Bolted Spade connectors for the phase wires.
As I was tightening the last phase wire down, it ROTATED.
I prayed that it was repairable, and asked around to see if anyone had a high-powered soldering iron that I could use , as I started pulled the G300 out of the board
@adrenalinskateboard responded to my call for help and invited me over for an evening of totally-not-stressful repairs and alcohol.
Disassembling the G300
I was feeling “great”
That said, could be worse?
We reflowed the joint on the backside of the PCB, and that seemed to work!
Not before we melted one of the rubber o-rings though. nbd, Ankle Wreacher was never going to be waterproof anyway 
Getting back to my hotel at like 2am, I got the G300 back on the board and working, ready to race. Lets Gooooo
@adrenalinskateboard You’re and absolute Chad. You’re appt is amazing, your board collection inspiring, and you saved my whole race week. I owe you 
Unfairness
I went through all this, Dylan Bell just checked his board. Luggage tag around the binding. 
I’m in Prague!!!
smattering of media from my week in no particular order
Kart Planet is so much fun
The Race!
What. A. Blast.
6 back-to-back races. I think we had ~12 minutes of racing within a span of
and hour of so?
by the end of it, we were all brutally exhausted. It was borderline an endurance event! I was just focused on not falling and crossing the line.
I was right on the edge of podium the whole time, and I wanted it.
In the last race, Tas put down a great time, beating me to the podium by 0.15s
Across 6 races the difference coming down to be that tiny?? I can’t even be mad. Great racing, everyone. Fucking fantastic time.
The Return
After a private night tour of the city from David, it was time to pack up and go home.
Got back at the AirBnB around 3am, with my flight leaving at 9am.
Gave me barely enough time to disassemble my board and get everything packed. No sleep for me that night.
The bag check person wasn’t as generous this time, so I had to do some reshuffling at the airport. Wasn’t too bad though.
The flight back was cool. I got to fly in the massive double-decker A380,
where I had entire rows to myself 
Got my board from bag check in LA without issue, and made it home. Great conclusion to an amazing trip.
It was such a pleasure meeting so many cool people out there, too many to name. So many people from such diverse backgrounds, and I wouldn’t have meet y’all if it wasn’t for this little hobby.
@davidpilny Thankyou so much for inviting me out there, it was a trip of a lifetime. Not one I’m going to soon forget.