I started my PhD determined to balance theory with hands-on work, splitting days in the lab and nights in the MIT Garage—until an article about the Isle of Man TT made the race feel inevitable, the perfect fusion of travel, motorcycles, and engineering. To explain why I’d risk my PhD, I rewind to the journeys that rewired me: India taught me anticipation and adaptation on dangerous mountain roads; China and Tibet taught patience, boundary-pushing, and the cost of risk; South Korea taught endurance over long, disciplined miles. By the time I returned to MIT, risk had become a practiced discipline, not a thrill—so when I walked into the Garage clutching that TT article, it didn’t feel reckless. It felt like the next class in the curriculum the road had already been teaching me.

This chapter describes the initial stages of the electric motorcycle project, beginning with the team's efforts to develop fast-charging technology for electric vehicles. Despite facing skepticism from industry giants like Elon Musk and Ford, the author and his team remain committed to their vision. Inspired by an article about the Isle of Man TTXGP race, the author proposes building an electric motorcycle to compete, seeing it as a perfect platform to showcase their fast-charging technology. The chapter also details the unique and historic environment of the MIT garage where the team works, emphasizing its role as a hub for innovation and collaboration. The garage attracts unexpected visitors, including the Prince of Monaco, who expresses admiration for their hands-on approach to engineering.

In November 2003, I was spiraling at MIT when my dad showed up unannounced, shared his own freshman-year collapse, and quietly steadied me. I scraped through the semester, then left MIT and wandered abroad; minimalist travel and a first motorcycle adventure in Southeast Asia rekindled my drive and taught me to work with institutions instead of against them. Back home, I finished a hands-on master’s, joined JPL, and—pushed by LA smog and new asthma—built eMoto, a silent electric motorcycle that drew attention and clarified my purpose. Buoyed but not blinded by that success, I chose a PhD in electric vehicles, took one last recharge trip across Asia, and found my tribe with the MIT Electric Vehicle Team.

This chapter describes the final race day and its aftermath, capturing the team's emotions and reflections on their journey. The team meticulously prepares eSuperbike for the race, feeling confident in their machine and their abilities. They observe the competition, acknowledging the dominance of Team Motoczysz and the experience of other veteran teams. The race itself is filled with tension and uncertainty, as the team anxiously awaits updates on Allan's progress. Despite a transponder malfunction, Allan successfully completes the race, achieving a respectable speed and securing a fourth-place finish. The team celebrates their collective triumph, recognizing the importance of teamwork and perseverance in overcoming the challenges they faced. The author concludes with a final, reflective ride on eSuperbike, savoring the culmination of their efforts and the personal growth he experienced throughout the journey.

This chapter recounts the team's final preparations and qualifying events leading up to the TT Zero race. During a test run, a near-catastrophic motor failure forces the team to make a critical decision: rebuild the motors with a risky and untested procedure. Despite the pressure and uncertainty, they successfully complete the rebuild, showcasing their problem-solving skills and teamwork. The team then participates in two qualifying events, facing stiff competition from experienced teams like Motoczysz and Kingston University. They overcome further technical challenges, including a data logger malfunction and motor synchronization issues, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability. The chapter culminates with the team feeling confident and ready for the race, their focus shifting from anxiety to determination.

This chapter describes the intense week leading up to the TT Zero race, highlighting the challenges and pressures faced by the team. The author details the rigorous scrutineering process and the demanding practice sessions required to qualify for the race. He recounts his experience observing Allan's practice session for the traditional gas-powered TT race, emphasizing the risks involved and the team's reliance on Allan's skill. A major setback occurs when the data logger melts down, jeopardizing the author's research and raising concerns about the motorcycle's safety. Despite this, the team remains focused and determined, showcasing their ability to adapt and overcome unexpected challenges under pressure.

This chapter describes the team's arrival and preparations on the Isle of Man leading up to the TT Zero race. The author arrives first, exploring the iconic racecourse and setting up their base at Allan Brew's house. After a tense delay, the motorcycle and batteries finally arrive, prompting a flurry of activity as the team reassembles and tests the bike. Successful dyno runs boost their confidence, and they move on to road testing, experiencing the thrill of high speeds and validating their design. The chapter highlights the challenges of logistics, the importance of local support, and the growing excitement as the race approaches.

This chapter recounts the author's arrival at the Isle of Man TT race, two weeks before the event. He describes the island's dramatic landscape and treacherous roads, highlighting the inherent danger of the legendary race. The author introduces Allan Brew, his teammate and rider, emphasizing the need for a skilled and collaborative partner. A tense drive around the course reveals the challenges they face, prompting concerns about the weather and the motorcycle's capabilities. He acknowledges the risks involved, both for his rider's safety and his own academic future, and emphasizes the importance of teamwork and unconventional paths in achieving his goals.

As I tore into the pre-release DVD of "CHARGE," a documentary about the TT Zero electric motorcycle races we were about to enter, my initial excitement for a sneak peek into this secretive world quickly turned to dread. The film, sent by the filmmaker himself, was meant to be a treasure trove of information for our rookie eSuperbike team, especially since we'd been designing in an information vacuum. But as I watched, a horrifying trend emerged: the very same electric motors we were using had catastrophically failed for numerous teams in the 2009 and 2010 races, leading to smoking bikes, seized bearings, and even crashes. The only exception was a team led by the motor's original designer, who obviously knew its limits intimately. With our own bike already en route to the Isle of Man and my flight just a day away, a sickening realization hit me – we might have avoided this by choosing different motors had we known sooner. Now, despite our own rigorous testing, the documentary's vivid failures replayed in my mind, and I knew we were likely flying headlong into the same devastating problems, with only our team's ingenuity and determination to see us through.

This chapter focuses on the team's struggle to secure funding and finalize their preparations for the Isle of Man TT race. Despite facing financial challenges and skepticism from potential sponsors, the team perseveres, securing crucial support from the race organizers, MIT professors, and the local motorcycling community. They conduct rigorous testing on the dyno and at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, gaining valuable experience and confidence in their machine. However, a last-minute revelation about the unreliability of their chosen motors casts a shadow of doubt over their prospects. Despite this setback, the team remains determined to overcome any challenges they may face, showcasing their resilience and commitment to achieving their goal.

This chapter recounts the author's personal and professional challenges leading up to the Isle of Man TT race. He describes a near-crash experience while motorcycling in Peru, highlighting the inherent risks associated with his passion. He also reflects on his relationship with Jenn, his girlfriend, and her unexpected support for his racing endeavors. The chapter then shifts to the team's progress on the electric motorcycle, detailing their rigorous testing process and a setback caused by motor failure. Despite this, the team perseveres, overcoming technical hurdles and demonstrating the motorcycle's capabilities on the dyno. The author emphasizes the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and trusting his team members' expertise.

This chapter introduces the core team members who played crucial roles in the electric motorcycle project. Radu, a fearless and unconventional engineer, provided much-needed support with his design and machining skills. Mark, a knowledgeable and experienced motorcyclist, brought logistical expertise and a global perspective. Randall, a meticulous and cautious engineer, ensured the reliability of the motorcycle's intricate wiring harness. Rahn, a seasoned mechanic and owner of a Harley-Davidson shop, offered access to his dyno and invaluable mentorship. The author emphasizes the importance of teamwork and complementary skills in achieving ambitious goals, comparing the team to a rock band with each member contributing their unique talents.

Feeling isolated from the Isle of Man project and my PhD, my friend suggested I read "The Game" and try its dating strategies. We ventured into Boston's nightlife for several weekends with little success, eventually finding a jazz club more our style. To further shake things up, I moved into my own apartment in Boston's South End and began a more serious search for a long-term relationship, including attending church and trying online dating. Just as my free trial was expiring, I connected with Jenn, a doctor in Vermont, and after a successful first meeting, we began dating. My close call during a solo motorcycle trip in Malaysia from my work in Singapore, where I was helping to establish a new university, made me realize how important it was to be with Jenn. Upon my return to Boston, Jenn surprised me at the airport and revealed she was interviewing at a hospital there. I finally confessed my Isle of Man project to Jenn, and to my surprise, she was incredibly supportive. Her support motivated me to fully commit to the Isle of Man race.

Around eight years before the race, during a dark period in November 2003, my dad showed up unannounced at my MIT dorm. I was deeply struggling, disinterested in my theoretical research, battling depression, and lacking motivation – a stark contrast to the self-reliant globetrotter I'd become. His visit, and his revelation that he'd faced similar despair and dropped out of college, was a lifeline. It helped me understand my struggle wasn't a unique failing and gave me the strength to finish the semester, though I knew I needed to leave MIT to heal. The chilling news of an MIT student's suicide a month later underscored the intense pressures there. With some savings, I embarked on a six-month global journey, and a chance encounter with a "Motorcycle Guide to the Golden Triangle" in a Thai shop ignited a new passion. That motorcycle adventure and the broader trip taught me the power of the motorcycle for connection, travel as a mental reset, and the need to navigate MIT by embracing my hands-on, independent nature. I returned to MIT, completed a practical Master's thesis that even went to space, and truly understood that my motivation thrives on taking "orthogonal paths" – unconventional, risky, but deeply personal routes – rather than conforming to standard expectations, a lesson that became vital as I later pursued the challenging Isle of Man race project for my PhD and faced the daunting task of assembling our race bike from a literal box of parts.

My trip to BMW in Munich was a whirlwind. I presented our electric motorcycle project to their top brass, securing a partnership that provided us with their latest racing motorcycle, the S1000RR, along with access to their engineers and CAD files.  Back at MIT, I juggled my PhD program with the demands of the race, successfully navigating the grueling qualifying exams.  Despite my advisor's encouragement to focus on the race, I was plagued by doubts and anxieties stemming from past academic struggles and a previous battle with depression.  Just as I was contemplating abandoning the project, BMW finally delivered the motorcycle, although it arrived as a box of disassembled parts.  Despite this setback, we pressed on, determined to reassemble the motorcycle and integrate our electric powertrain.