Recovery week

Last week was a week to forget. Got a flat tire on the Bike X and crashed the Bike S. And in two consecutive days. This week I’m back on the Bike S riding easy, making sure my body and bike are OK. Today I rode the Bike X, making sure that my tire repair is holding. I even bought a new tire pump. So far the week is off to an OK start. Fingers crossed.

First post-crash Bike S ride

Returning to the scene of the accident, I took my first outdoor ride since my crash exactly seven days ago. I rode the Porsche Bike S basically on the same route as I did when I flew over the handlebars. I figure it’s time to get back on the horse. I did take it easy and rode a few less miles. Everything felt pretty good though.

Missed the Boxster

 

So I drove the 986 to the store…

Porsche SUV off-road event a success

Today, I hosted an 80-minute Porsche SUV tour for PCA Chesapeake Region Cayenne and Macan members. 13 Porsche SUVs and 32 people met at the Springfield Manor Winery, Brewery and Distillery in Thurmont, Maryland and drove through some farm land to the Frederick Municipal Forest for a short 10-mile off-road drive. The dirt road was about a level 1-2 off road class road with some elevation changes, rocks and potholes, but in general considered a rather easy drive. The driving tour concluded back at the winery for food, drinks and the announcement of the "Pink Pig" award winner. The driver with the dirtiest Porsche SUV after the tour received my home-made Pink Pig trophy and a bottle of wine from the winery. It seems everyone enjoyed the day and didn't feel the drive was too difficult or caused any damage to their Porsche ... which was the goal. I'll let the dust settle and see if anyone would like to do something like this again someday. Some photos are mine, others from friends on the tour.

Porsche SUV off-road event prep

 

Arrived today at the Springfield Manor Winery, Brewery and Distillery in Thurmont, MD to prep for my off-road tour tomorrow. Checking out the parking … and drinks. 

First post-crash test ride

 

45 minutes on the “bike simulator” to see how my knees and body were recovering. Felt great!

First Podium!

 

My first-ever podium finish! Albeit, this was a practice race to debut the new iRacing Porsche 911 GT3 R, but it sure was exciting and feels good to get my first 3rd place finish ... with a drag race to the finish too. This was a PCA Sim Racing event at Laguna Seca with both Sport and Challenge Class drivers. So, I was racing against drivers in a higher class too. What fun!

New GT3 R!

 

First drive of the new Porsche 911 GT3 R in the iRacing service. My first laps in this car and it seems easier to drive than the Cup and RSR, which makes sense as the GT3 specs provide traction control and ABS. Did a few laps around Laguna Seca before tonight's PCA Launch Party event. Love this new car!

Not-so-good sim race tonight

 

Nursing sore knees, shoulder and jaw from yesterday's bike crash, I tried to drive in tonight's PCA Sim Racing Challenge Class Road Atlanta race. I didn't do so good. An early off and inconsistent pace, left me with a P21 finish.

Crash

 

I guess it was bound to happen at some point. I have accumulated probably 4-5,000 miles on my Porsche Bikes … all without a serious crash. Today that streak ended. Riding the 1998 Bike S in my neighborhood, I rounded a corner at speed and noticed an approaching car. I applied the brakes too much locking them up and flew over the handlebars. I landed flat on my chest and head hitting the asphalt. Both knees, hands and shoulders got some road rash and left cheekbone hit pretty hard. I sat there for awhile and then rode home. I got beat up, but the Bike S didn’t look too bad and rode home fine. The seat did get scratched up. Might need to replace it. Hope to recover and get back on the horse quickly. 

Hot ride ending with flat tire

A mile from my house my rear tire decided to give up the ghost. I thought it would be a good reason to test changing out a flat tire. The tire off, put the new tube in and proceeded to fail at pumping it back up. Apparently my little hand pump is no longer functional. So I had to walk a mile. Time for a new pump. Good news: I figured this out before the 340 mile ride!