Porsche Bike S at the Wildflower 65

I rode my 1998 Porsche Bike S today at the Wildflower bike ride in Chico, California. Completing over 60 miles, I achieved a new personal best both in distance and speed on a mixed hill and flat course. I completed 60.14 miles in 4:31:48 with an average speed of 13.3 mph. Since I have found no record of anyone riding a Porsche Bike S that distance, I'm calling this a new record for a Porsche bicycle. The ride started at the Chico Fairgrounds and headed east into the foothills. Honey Run was a steep and narrow section that burned the legs of even the best riders. Next was a series of rolling hills that ended with a steep downhill. My Porsche Bike S topped out at 37.5 mph. Taking the corners at this speed was amazing. The bike handled so well. The steep run gave way to flat farm country with a 15 mph head wind. Last, we rode back through Chico to the finish. This was my first organized bike riding event as well as the debut of my Niello Porsche sponsored bike jerseys. I wore the black jersey for this first ride. I now have the confidence in this bike and my ability to begin the summer riding schedule I've outlined. Next is the 55 mile ride, the Gold Country Challenge, in Grass Valley California on May 14. This ride is a few miles shorter, but a lot more challenging due to the hilly course.

Ready to ride

Time to head out

Pre-ride prep

Pre-ride preparation for the Wildflower 65.

Porsche Bike S Chico warm up ride

A short 20 mile "warm up" ride in Chico, California before tomorrow's 65 mile Wildflower ride. I'm staying at a rented house with four cyclist friends. I'd say this is more beer drinking than bike riding, but 85 miles across two days isn't shabby either. I'll report tomorrow with photos after the ride.

Final preparations

I just completed the final cleaning and preparation on my 1998 Porsche Bike S for this weekend's Wildflower 65 mile bike ride in Chico, California. I drive to Chico tomorrow, will ride a short leg stretch and then the main 65 mile bike ride will be Sunday. This will also be the debut of my custom Niello Porsche bike jerseys.

Peter Nixon posted some information about his Porsche Bike FS Evolution rebuild on this blog. He said I could share with others.

He purchased a FS Evolution that wasn't rideable. The brakes were dragging, the shocks leaked and the bike kept jumping out of gear. He replaced a lot of parts and stripped and repainted the frame.

Next he plans to rebuild the front shock and it'll be good to go. Nice work!

Before:

After:

PCA Porsche Bike S story

Porsche Club of America just ran my latest story about my Porsche Bike S journey.

Here's the link.

30 mile taper ride on the Porsche Bike S

I completed a short but hilly ride on my 1998 Porsche Bike S this morning. The 30 mile ride was the final preparatory ride for next weekend's Wildflower 65 mile ride in Chico, California. I stopped by the Empire Mine State Park in Grass Valley, California to take the picture with the old gas station pump. I look forward to the 65 miler next week. The forecast shows a 20% of rain though.

706 miles on the Porsche Bike S

1990s Porsche Bike S in all white

I ran across this picture of an all white Porsche Bike S on a German website. I believe all the Bike S models sold in the USA were painted Guards Red. Both my 1996 and 1998 Bike S mountain bikes are red. I have to admit this version in white is amazing. This bike does have added disc brakes and looks to have used the conversion bracket I posted earlier. The white tires are a nice addition.

Another mountain bike I'd like to own. The Porsche Bike FS Evolution.

Crazy cool!

Disc brake conversion for the Porsche Bike S

I just ran across a disc brake conversion option on the Internet. Appears to be a viable option to provide better braking power to the Porsche Bike S. I'll have to consider it.

Niello Porsche bike jerseys arrived!

The custom and one of a kind Niello Porsche bike jerseys arrived this morning. These were designed specifically for my 2016 Porsche Bike S riding season including organized bike events in Chico, Grass Valley and Sacramento, California this year. Niello has agreed to sponsor my riding and summer fundraiser. The matching helmet arrives next Monday.

New Uvex Xenova race helmet

I ordered a new bike helmet today and it should arrive Monday, April 11 in time for the first official ride April 24 in Chico, California. The Uvex Xenova race helmet is red and black to match my Porsche Bike S and Niello Porsche bike jersey. German-made Uvex helmets just happen to be the head protection of choice for the Porsche factory 919 LMP1 pit team in the World Endurance Championship. It seemed like the proper choice for my Porsche bike efforts.

Another 50 miler on the Porsche Bike S

I rode another 50 miles around the western Nevada County foothills in California on my 1998 Porsche Bike S today.

I retraced most of the same route as last week, but this week's ride ended slightly faster with an average speed of 12.3 miles per hour.

I have scoured the Internet and have not found anyone that has ridden one of these classic bikes this far. Since this blog is now read by people in nearly 30 countries, maybe someone will speak up? Until then I'll consider my 50 mile rides the world distance record on a Porsche Bike S mountain bike!

Today's road ride started in Grass Valley and quickly hit some steep hills before a long and fast downhill portion. I clocked exactly 40 mph through a downhill straight with a posted radar traffic sign. I was flying!

I started the ride early in the morning. It's finally warming up and no bike tights needed! The beginning of this route travels through mature pines trees in some higher elevations before dropping into lower foothill oak trees. I saw woodpeckers, jays, geese and plenty of smaller birds.

As the temperature warmed up more people started coming out. I had to dodge cars and pedestrians for the last 10 miles.

I stopped by Tour of Nevada City for a picture of my Porsche Bike S at my favorite bike shop. Owner Duane Strawser stepped out for a quick picture and a high-five before I got back on the road.

The next two weekends will be shorter and faster rides as I prepare for the 65 mile Chico Wildflower 65 bike ride on April 24.