Saturday, December 31, 2016

Take the Porsche bike survey!

I just added an informal survey to this blog.

What's your favorite Porsche bike? The very first Porsche bike - the Bike Spyder 9.85? How about the very popular Bike S? The new RS mountain bike? The racer Bike R? The very cool bright yellow Bike FS Evolution? Or the ultra rare Carrera GT bike?

Go to the main page of this blog and select your favorite!

More Porsche Bike X parts

It is very cold outside. So, I'm back in the garage on the stationary bike and playing with bike parts.

The Ergon SMC4-M seat arrived today. It's specifically built for ergonomic fit and it is lightweight. It is German made. And looks really cool. I'll be installing after my garage ride tonight.

I also found a solution for the SKS Cagebox rubbing against the front tire. I ordered an SKS Anywhere. The Anywhere are straps and bolts that will let me mount the Cagebox a little higher on the bike frame and avoid the front tire. Problem solved. I hope. It should arrive next week.

Friday, December 30, 2016

Another Reno 26-mile Porsche Bike X ride

With another Sierra storm approaching, I drove to Verdi to ride through Reno again before I'm stuck in the garage on the stationary bike again for a few days. It was a little warmer and a little windier in Reno than when I rode there Wednesday.

I started in the same place as Wednesday, Crystal Park along the Truckee River, and rode east toward Reno. Instead of heading into downtown Reno though, I turned south and rode up McCarran Blvd toward Caughlin Parkway. A 2.5 mile uphill was a little challenging but not too bad.

The other side was a fun and fast downhill to the 13-mile mark. Then I turned around and went back uphill and another fun descent.

I picked this route specifically as a training ride for the Death Ride. I need to start hill training, and this is the biggest in Reno, which isn't saying much. But it's prefect since it's early in my training plan. The total ascent today was 2,500 ft. Not too shabby.

The new Ergon GP5 handlebar grips and long bar ends were AWESOME on the uphills. They performed exactly as I had hoped they would. The new SKS Cagebox didn't though. I placed it under the bike and it rubbed on the front tire. Rubbed a groove in the Cagebox lid. So, I'll need to figure out a better place for that!

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Ergon handlebar grips on the Porsche Bike X

I installed the new Ergon GP5 handle bar grips and bar ends on the 2004 Porsche Bike X today.

The Ergon GP5 are German designed grips specifically engineered to help reduce wrist and hand pain while on long bike rides. Since it may take me up to 10 hours to ride the 129-mile Death Ride, I believe this will help prevent the wrist numbness I experienced during the 100-mile ride this last October.

These bar ends are awesome for uphill riding, which the Death Ride is full of. Plus they make the bike just look cool. Almost like a raging bull!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Porsche Bike X Reno ride

With the Porsche Bike X rebuild halfway completed, I was itching to go for a ride. But with Truckee covered with snow, I had to either drive to Sacramento or Reno. Not having an entire day, I choose Reno. And I choose well. Typically, Reno is very windy. But for some reason today there was no wind. It was also a perfectly sunny 47°.

I drove the short distance to Verdi, Nevada parked my 2006 Cayenne S at a county park near the Truckee River. From there I rode 13 miles to downtown Reno before turning around and coming back. I was hoping to fit in 25 miles, so 26 miles was just right.

The bike rode most excellently and I didn't feel like I lost too much conditioning after taking a couple easy months. It wasn't a particularly fast ride because I kept running into stop signs, stop lights, cars and homeless people. It seems Reno is pretty congested these days. I much prefer to ride the bike trail in Sacramento and avoid all the traffic and people like in Reno. But Sacramento is almost a 4 hour round trip from Truckee. So that takes an entire day.

Regardless, today's ride was a huge success. I can't wait to get the second half of this bike finished and take it for another ride.

Left to do on the Porsche Bike X will be changing the front fork to a carbon fiber rigid fork, replace the saddle and add the new handlebar grips with bar ends. I should have all this finished sometime next week I hope.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Porsche water bottles for a Porsche bike

I wasn't a big fan of the white water bottles that I put on the Porsche Bike X. After scouring eBay and the Internet I could not find any water bottles I really liked. Then I realized I had a couple authentic Porsche aluminum water bottles in my never ending supply of Porsche paraphernalia.

I'm not sure aluminum water bottles will work quite as well as plastic, so I will take them for a spin tomorrow in Sacramento and see if they're easy to get out of the water bottle cage or not. But they sure look good on the bike!

Friday, December 23, 2016

Ergon all the way...

I just ordered a couple of the last parts for the Porsche Bike X rebuild.

I ordered two Ergon parts. Ergon is a German bike accessory company that manufactures ergonomically comfortable bike parts. So, it's not just a clever name...

I ordered the GP5 handlebar grips with full bar ends to replace the Storck standard rubber grips. When I rode 100 miles in October my wrists were getting numb. I read these grips help reduce numbness. I also just love bar ends when ascending mountains. Considering the Death Ride is 129 miles, I figure I could use all the help I can get.

I also ordered the Ergon SMC4-M Comp Gel Saddle. The 2004 Porsche Bike X comes with a very nice Italian bike seat. But since the rest of the bike rebuild includes all German parts for a German manufactured bike, including an Italian saddle just didn't sit well with me, pun intended.

These two parts will likely arrive before the carbon fork, but I'll guess the bike rebuild will be finished by mid January 2017. Then I start the 2,000 or so miles of riding preparing for the Death Ride.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Quantec Crossgabel shipped from Germany

I just received notification that the new Quantec 700c Carbon Canti Cross Fork was shipped this morning from Germany. The "crossgabel" as bike parts online sales company Bike24.com calls it in German is shipped via German DHL.

This was the perfect fork for my Porsche Bike X transformation from a Hybrid bike (half mountain bike/half road bike - set up for touring or trekking) to a mountain-killing road bike. The fork is rigid, lightweight and able to absorb the rough Sierra roads the Death Ride encounters.

The fun part about ordering this fork was trying to translate from German to English to make sure all the specifications match the 2004 Porsche Bike X! I can't wait to install it. Not an easy installation, but I look forward to it.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Weather is frightful...

Truckee weather has been cold and wet. I hear we're having the wettest winter to date ... ever! Most of it is rain, but this weekend we're supposed to get more than a foot of snow! So, I'm having a hard time getting outside and riding. I've been stuck in the garage on the stationary bike too long.

Just like last year, when there is a break in the weather, I will head to Sacramento to ride the American River bike trail. My next shot at it looks like next Wednesday. Sun, 55 degrees and low wind will make for a perfect day to attempt 50 miles on the newly rebuilt Porsche Bike X. I still have more work to do on the bike, but a little testing of the work performed to date would be helpful to make sure all is working according to plan.


Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Porsche Bike X rebuild: Day two

This Porsche Bike X project is moving along quite well I must say.

Today I installed the Continental Gatorskin 700x28 road tires and put the wheels back on the bike. With the wheels on I could then adjust the new brake pads. I took the bike for a brief spin in the drive way and then adjusted the saddle height.

So, to date, I've changed the tires, brake pads, seat post, water bottle cages and repainted the pedals.

Next is to replace the front shock fork with a rigid carbon fiber fork, new handlebar grips with extensions, new saddle and then put the Porsche crest back on. Time to order the next round of parts.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Porsche Bike X rebuild: Day one

Tonight I changed out a few items while drinking some Spätburgunder in my garage. I can't think of a better way to spend a Monday evening.

While taking the Porsche Bike X apart this weekend, I noticed the brake pads were a little worn. So I replaced the front and back pads, black and chrome of course, to match the bike.

I also installed two new SKS Slidecage bottle cages on the top and bottom lower tube. These are German-made lightweight adjustable bottle cages.

Next, I added the Syntace P6 aluminum seat post to the bike frame. I removed the original 2004 shock seat post in favor of a rigid post. This will improve performance as well as looks great.

Tomorrow, I'll be working on the rims and tires. Not an easy task I might add. More tomorrow...

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Taking apart the Porsche Bike X

Today's chore is to prepare the 2004 Porsche Bike X for all the changes necessary to turn a hybrid bike into a road bike. This week a bunch of parts arrive so I thought I'd take everything apart today. I took the seat and seat post out, the aluminum bottle cages off and removed both trekking style tires.

I left the rims off in preparation of installing the new Continental Gatorskin 700x28 road tires arriving tomorrow.

I also noticed one of the rear V rim brake pads was worn unevenly. So I'll pick up a new set of brake pads for the front the back tomorrow too.

Having a blast!

Saturday, December 17, 2016

New carbon fiber fork for the Porsche Bike X

I just ordered a Quantec carbon fiber rigid fork for the 2004 Porsche Bike X to replace the front mountain bike-style shock forks. This fork is from the German company Quantec and features the cantilever eyelets for the V style brakes on the hybrid turned road bike I'm building. This is the only aftermarket carbon fiber, canti and rigid fork from a German company I could find on the internet. And trust me I have been looking.

I purchased this fork from the German bike part distributor Bike24. The website provided the specs that matches my Bike X. 700c wheels, 300mm steerer tube length, 1 1/8" diameter steerer tube, 45mm offset, weighs 730 grams uncut and is made of 12K carbon fiber. Perfect technical match.

I love the clean and simple design of this fork. And the all black color, with no decals or logos, matches the Bike X perfectly.

I'll likely need to wait nearly a month to receive it. Shipping and customs takes forever coming from Germany.

Porsche Bike X pedals ...

... like new! After cleaning, disassembling, painting and reassembling these old bike pedals look brand new. Just one of the many, many details needed to prepare the 2004 Porsche Bike X for the Death Ride.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Painting the Porsche Bike X pedals

Yeah, I'm kinda crazy about detail. So, the lighter pedals I swapped off the 1998 Porsche Bike S were a little paint worn for my taste. I guess 2,500 miles will do that. So I scrubbed them down, took them apart and now repainting the "black" parts with one-step primer/epoxy black paint. And drinking German beer, of course. I'll hit these with multiple coats and reassemble tomorrow. The fresh black paint will look good against the all-black Porsche Bike X frame!

Rebuilding the Porsche Bike X

Thus it begins. Again!

This winter I am transforming a 2004 Porsche Bike X from a hybrid bike into a road bike.

I started today by ordering a bunch of stuff from Jenson USA and off eBay.

I ordered two Continental Gatorskin 700c x 28 road tires, three road tubes, two SKS bottle cages and a Syntace P6 aluminum seat post. All of these parts are German-made and will improve handling performance and reduce the bike weight noticeably.

Last winter I rebuilt a Porsche Bike S. This winter it will this Bike X. Winter is the perfect time to spend hours in the garage wrenching on bikes!

Next I'll be ordering a carbon fiber fork and Ergon handlebar grips.

Can't wait to install all these parts! And report everything along the way, as always!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Lighter pedals for the Porsche Bike X

Goofing around in the garage, I swapped out the bike pedals on my 2004 Porsche Bike X for the older pedals on the 1998 Porsche Bike S. Trying to lighten the Bike X, I noticed the older Bike S pedals were smaller. I weighed both and the Bike S were two ounces lighter. So for two pedals, I'll save 4 ounces. They're smaller, but I've rode around Lake Tahoe and 100 miles in Sacramento with them. I think they'll do fine on the Death Ride. For those thinking "why clipless pedals?" Well, I've been riding this pedal style since I was 7 years old. They work for me and I like how I can step off without any hang up. Why change now!?!

Monday, December 12, 2016

Hanging out in the garage

Fat Tire beer, two Porsche Bike S mountain bikes, one Porsche Bike X, a Boxster and Cayenne S and I are hanging out in the garage. Perfect evening.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Porsche Bike X ride. Outside. Finally. Yay!

Finally a decent day in Truckee, California. After days of rain ... and flooding ... the sun came out and temperatures rose above 40 degrees. Warm and dry enough, I got out of the garage for a short ride. I wanted to ride 25 miles but rode into snow and water. So settling for 17 miles, I enjoyed just being outside and feeling the sun and breeze on my face.

I haven't rode many miles on the Porsche Bike X yet. I'm still getting used to it. My first impression is this hybrid bike is extremely comfortable. A bike you'd want to ride across the country on. The seatpost shock, front fork shocks and fat 700c tires makes this bike feel likes it's floating on water - even after the roads were drying.

However, the comfortable ride does compromise the bike's handling. Whether it's powering uphill or jamming downhill, this bike was all over the place.

Good thing I have plans for this bike. I know exactly what to do to make this bike a lean, mean racing machine. I'll go into detail later, but new tires, seatpost, forks and much more right around the corner. In January I'll start rebuilding this bike and I'll share the entire process on this blog.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

The History of Porsche bicycles

The first Porsche bicycle: 1990 Prototype

Porsche Bike Spyder 9.85
One-of-a-kind prototype mountain bike built by Weissach engineers and technicians. This bike was featured in the May 1991 edition of Christophorusmagazine and weighed less than 22 pounds (9.85 kilograms). Parts came from France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Japan, and the United States. The effort was said to be led by Dr. Ulrich Bez, who at the time managed Porsche's Vehicle Research and Development.

The early bike years — 1996 – 2004:

Porsche Bike S - $2,250.00 (MSRP)
This mountain bike with an aluminum frame and front suspension was commissioned by Porsche and produced by Votec in Germany from 1996-1998. The bikes sold in the United States were painted Guards Red. In Germany and the rest of Europe, white, gray, and black models were also sold. The 26-pound bike with 26-inch wheels bike featured Votec GSIII front shocks, hydraulic brakes, grip shifters, 3x8 Sachs Neos gearing, and a leather Selle Italia Expedia seat. Came in 17-inch and 20-inch sizes.

Porsche Bike ST - $2,500.00 (MSRP)
The Bike ST is a "touring" version of the Bike S. This bike is basically the same as the Bike S but was configured for a more comfortable ride, including a larger and more adjustable seat, mud guards on the front and rear wheels, a rack above the rear wheel, better braking in wet conditions, and front lighting. This bike is extremely rare in the US.

Porsche Bike FS - $4,500.00 (MSRP)
This rugged mountain bike was the upgrade to the Bike S. The Bike FS also featured an aluminum frame but included both front and rear shocks. This raised its weight to 29 pounds. The Bike FS was shipped in blue. The Bike FS's Sachs Plasma gearing became an upgrade to the Bike S in 1998. Leather Selle Italia Flite Transalp seat included. Came in 17-inch and 20-inch sizes.

Porsche Bike FS Evolution - $10,612 (MSRP)
The Bike FS Evolution was a limited-run upgrade to the Bike FS from 2001-2002. It was painted either bright yellow or gray and featured a carbon-fiber frame, full suspension, bright yellow composite three-spoke rims, and hydraulic disc brakes (a first for a Porsche bike). This bike was Porsche's best effort at the time and still holds up well to the most technically advanced bikes of today.

Porsche Bike R - (MSRP $10,000)
The Bike R was an out-and-out racing road bike offering outstanding cornering and straight-line stability. Another lightweight aluminum-frame bike from the late '90s, the Bike R also included the ultra-light Shimano Dura Ace gearing. The tires were special Porsche edition Continental Grand Prix 3000 tires with yellow tread to match the bike's accent colors.

Porsche Carrera GT Carbon Edition - No price listed
Only 11 of these special edition mountain bikes were produced. Ultra rare and only top of the line components were used, including a carbon-fiber frame and Votec GS4 full suspension. If you are a collector of rare Porsche memorabilia, this is the bike to own.

Porsche Bike X - ($5,000 estimate)
Limited run of only a couple years in the early 2000s. Only sold in Germany. One German eBay seller reported only 250 produced. The Bike X is a Hybrid bicycle - half road bike, half mountain bike. The bike was built for Porsche by Storck in Germany. A matte black aluminum road bike frame was matched with a mountain bike handle bar, front shocks, seat post shock, 700c mountain bike tires and exceptional range of gears (3x9). The Bike X came in three sizes and is known for its embossed Porsche logos.

Modern bikes - 2011 to present:
Today at the dealership you can test ride the new Porsche Bike S, Bike RX, and Bike RS models. All three are ultra lightweight with the most modern components on any bike sold today.

Porsche Bike S - $3,699.87 (MSRP)
The new Bike S is a general-use bike with a high-performance frame made of hydroformed aluminum. Great for roads and gentle trails. Front suspension fork, 8-speed hub gear system, low-wear geared belt drive, and hydraulic disc brakes. Very quiet ride and superior acceleration thanks to high-quality wheels and smooth rolling tires. With theft protection from CODE-No.com. Currently sold at Porsche dealerships. Comes in sizes: S, M, L.

Porsche Bike RS - $7,999.99 (MSRP)
The Bike RS is a lightweight, high-end carbon-fiber-frame mixed-use bike. Another great option for riding in all-around conditions. Ergonomic components made of carbon, including handlebars, stem, and seat post. Shimano XTR 20-gear drive and hydraulic disc brakes. Exceptionally smooth running and superlative acceleration thanks to the 29-inch wheels and lightly rolling tires. 19.8 pounds. Currently sold at Porsche dealerships. Available in S, M, L.

Porsche Bike RX - $6,699.00 (MSRP)
The Bike RX is a lightweight, high-end carbon-fiber-frame mountain bike for serious off-road riding. Air suspension fork, 20-speed gearshift, hydraulic disc brakes, and 27.5-inch wheels with smooth-rolling tires. Theft protection from CODE-No.com. Currently sold at Porsche dealerships. Comes in sizes: S, M, L .

Porsche Hybrid RS - (MSRP unknown)
While Porsche was developing a hybrid supercar, engineers were also hard at work on a hybrid bicycle - the Hybrid RS. The frame is carbon fiber and the electric motor weighs in at about nine pounds. Subtract the weight of the motor from the 33-pound bike and you've got a relatively light, full suspension bike with disc brakes. The bike has a range of about 31 miles, and the rear hub-housed motor puts out 450 watts, but only when you pedal — it merely assists you. No getting lazy with this bike.

New Death Ride logo!

The Death Ride changes their logo and colors each year. The 2017 logo just went live on their website. Looks good.

I just added the registration day/time to my calendar to make sure I get a spot as soon as possible.


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

To the nines!

Here's a list off the top of my head of all the Porsche road and race cars using the internal code starting with "9" - Just because I haven't seen this list anywhere else...

901 - First 911
904 - 4 cylinder mid engine race car
906 - 6 cylinder mid engine race car
907 - 6 cylinder mid engine race car
908 - 8 cylinder mid engine race car
909 - Bergspyder 8 cylinder mid engine hill climb race car
910 - 8 cylinder mid engine race car
911 - 6 cylinder rear engine street car
912 - 4 cylinder rear engine street car
914 - 4 cylinder mid engine targa street car
916 - 6 cylinder mid engine larga street car
917 - 12 cylinder mid engine prototype race car
918 - 8 cylinder hybrid mid engine super car
919 - 4 cylinder turbo hybrid mid engine LMP1 race car
923 - 912E
924 - 4 cylinder front engine street car
928 - 8 cylinder front engine street car
930 - 6 cylinder turbo rear engine 911 street car
931 - 4 cylinder 924 turbo front engine street car
933 - 4 cylinder 924 front engine race car
934 - Group 4 6 cylinder turbo rear engine 930 race car
935 - Group 5 6 cylinder turbo rear engine 930 race car
936 - Group 6 6 cylinder turbo mid engine Spyder prototype race car
937 - 924 Carrera GT
939 - 924 Carrera GTP
940 - Indy car
944 - 4 cylinder front engine street car
946 - 924S
951 - 4 cylinder 944 turbo front engine street car
954 - 911SC/RS Group B evolution of 911SC
955 - Cayenne SUV
956 - Group C 6 cylinder turbo mid engine race car
957 - Cayenne SUV 2nd generation
958 - Cayenne SUV 3nd generation
959 - 6 cylinder turbo rear engine super car
961 - Competition version of Type 959
962 - Type 956 modified to meet IMSA regulations
964 - 3rd-generation "911" Carrera 2 and 4 production model
968 - Marketing designation of Type 944S3
970 - Panamera front engine four door sedan
971 - 2nd generation Panamera front engine four door sedan
980 - Carrera GT V10 super car
981 - 3rd generation Boxster/Cayman 6 cylinder street car
982 - 718 Boxster/Cayman mid-engine 4 cylinder turbo street cars
986 - Boxster 6 cylinder mid-engine street car
987 - Boxster/Cayman 6 cylinder mid-engine street car
991 - 7th generation of the "911" Carrera and Carrera 4
992 - 8th generation of the "911" Carrera and Carrera 4
993 - 4th-generation "911" Carrera and Carrera 4 street car
996 - 5th-generation "911" Carrera street car
997 - 6th-generation "911" Carrera and Carrera 4 street car

Long winter...

It's going to be another long winter on my stationary bike. But I'm focused. Just like last winter, I used the short days and cold temperatures as motivation to stay in the garage and train on the old stationary spinning bike and work on my bikes (and cars). I'm at it just about every day. This worked for me last year, training and preparing, to emerge come spring time fully ready for hitting the roads hard. If it ain't broke, why fix it?

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Kücken

Visited my girlfriend today and had a great time talking about Porsches and ate Kücken. She owns an all-original 1965 Porsche 911 and used to race a 356 and even owned a legendary 550RS Spyder. Perfect girlfriend!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Still snowing...

Winter is here in Truckee. So again today I'm in the garage riding the stationary bike. My view while pedaling does allow me to see the 2004 Porsche Bike X though. I plan to begin working on it shortly, but with all the winter weather I haven't been in a hurry!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Turkey day

Thanksgiving morning training in Truckee, California. With three inches of new snow outside, I'm forced into the garage for stationary bike training. But with a view of a Porsche Boxster, Cayenne and three Porsche bicycles I can not complain!

Monday, November 21, 2016

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Gears for the Death Ride

Reading up on the 129-mile Death Ride, I noticed the gearing experienced riders recommend happens to match the gearing on the 2004 Porsche Bike X. The web sites I read mentioned having a triple gear crank up front and at least 28 teeth in the back. The Bike X "granny gear" has 32 teeth - even better. I cleaned up the gears well, making them shiny for these photos.

Winter is here

It's raining and snowing in Truckee. This is the time of year when my bike training moves inside. Today I'm on the stationary bike in the garage. Only an hour today. And while I'm in the garage I tuned the brakes and gears on the 2004 Porsche Bike X that recently arrived from Germany. The first test ride a few days ago the brakes and shifting were good, but I thought I could dialed it in a bit. Can't wait for my next ride to see how it performs

PCA 718 Cayman S tech session

Just to prove I'm more than just a Porsche bicycle fan, here are a few photos from yesterday's Porsche Club of America, Sierra Nevada Region, 718 Cayman S tech session in Reno, Nevada.

I drove my 2006 Cayenne S down early and helped set up ... and looked over a Guards Red Carrera GT that was in the shop!

Porsche of Reno's lead tech, Jess Lattin, did an amazing job showing the group of 30 all the ins and outs of the new 2017 982 Porsche.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Porsche Bike X shakedown ride

Today I took the 2004 Porsche Bike X for it's first shakedown test ride after re-assembling it from the long trip from Germany to California. I rode a fun and uneventful 25 miles. The Bike X performed wonderfully. It was a huge contrast to the Bike S but I got used to get quickly. I rode along the Truckee River bike path out to Donner Lake and back. It was 45-50 degrees. Rather chilly but the sun helped. I didn't push my pace, just trying out the brakes, steering and gears for the first time. When I got home I cleaned up the bike. It looks great.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Porsche Bike X arrived

This afternoon a box from Germany arrived containing a 2004 Porsche Bike X. It was disassembled into many components for shipping across the globe. It didn't take me long to unpack and reassemble and take for a first spin around the driveway.

The Porsche Bike X is an extremely rare bicycle. In all my Porsche research, I have only run across this bike twice - both on the German eBay site. One of the Bike X for sale said only 250 bikes were made. I don't know if that's a fact, but I wouldn't be surprised since finding one is so rare.

The Porsche Bike X is a hybrid bike. It's part road bike and part mountain bike. It's built for touring or trekking - long distance cycling. My plan is to convert this Bike X closer to a road bike, with all German components, and ride it in the 2017 125-mile Death Ride next July.

Just as I shared my 1998 Porsche Bike S 100-mile riding adventure over the last year, I plan to post updates on my new bike and my new goal.

Follow along for the ride!

Phase One Complete: Sea Gull Century x 1999 Porsche Bike R

Last Saturday I rode the recently refurbished 1999 Porsche Bike R on the 104-mile Sea Gull Century in Eastern Maryland. This ride was the ...