Porsche Bike Adventure: Back in the saddle

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Back in the saddle

The 1998 Porsche Bike S might corner and brake well, but the 2004 Porsche Bike X is the speed demon of the family.

This Bike X was originally a touring bike with a road bike frame and rims, mountain bike tires, gearing and front shocks and a comfy seat post shock too. After finding this rare bike on the German eBay site, I had to buy it. Once it finally arrived, I took it apart and rebuilt it into more of a road bike ... which means road bike slick tires, a firm seat post, new handle bars and carbon fiber forks. All of this work turned the Bike X into a screaming fast road bike.

I even used this bike last year to complete the infamous 129-mile, 15,000 ft Death Ride. The full story can be found here.

So today I jumped on the Bike X and rode from Glenshire to Donner Lake and back for a nice leisurely ride. I didn't push it hard, but had a great ride. The weather today was fantastic. Warm with a little breeze. My legs aren't up to last year's strength as I'm starting over after a long winter. I did run and cycled twice each this week though.

Along the ride I was stopped by a guy asking about my Porsche cycling jersey and Porsche bike. He said he has a 2012 Boxster. So we shared both Boxster and cycling stories!

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My Story

I am a fanatical Porsche enthusiast. I love all things Porsche. This has led me to explore the depths of the automobile brand including some of the least known items the marque is known for. My latest journey - Porsche bicycles!

When I was 13 years old, I fell in love with Porsche cars. Delivering the morning newspaper on my Schwinn ten-speed bike brought me face to bumper with a white 911T each morning and from there I was hooked.

Many years later, I have a garage full of Porsche automobiles and a plethora of Porsche paraphernalia including everything from posters, flags, hats, shirts, sunglasses, scale models, a wristwatch and much more; all of the normal stuff any average PCA member has collected.

Some of my more prized Porsche possessions are my three Porsche bicycles. Yes, three. One is a 100% original 1996 Bike S. The other is a heavily modified 1998 Bike S I use for road and mountain riding. And the latest is a touring-style 2004 Porsche Bike X that I turned into a road bike. I have ridden these three bikes over 5,000 miles in the last few years.

In 2016, I rode many training miles in preparation for a 53-mile ride in the California Sierra foothills, a 72-mile ride around Lake Tahoe and the grand finale ride of 100 miles at the Sacramento Century. The 100 mile ride I believe is a world record on a Porsche Bike S.

Then in July 2017, I completed the 2017 Death Ride with the rebuilt and ultra rare 2004 Porsche Bike X. The Death Ride is an extremely challenging 125-mile, 15,000 foot elevation gain bike ride that crosses five mountain passes in the California Alps near Lake Tahoe. I believe this was the first time a Porsche bicycle completed the Death Ride. Another record.

In the fall of 2020, I rode the 184.5-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath across three days on the 1998 Bike S. My first multi-day bike riding tour. Another Porsche bike record?

And this blog shared every mile!

2016, 2017 and 2020 were great years of riding. What could possibly follow that?

In 2021, I completed my goal to ride the 360-mile Chesapeake and Ohio and Great Allegheny Passage on the 2004 Bike X. I converted the Bike X back to a hybrid bike for the six-day epic adventure. And in 2022, the Bike X also completed the 237-mile Florida Coast to Coast ride with eight other Porsche Bike riders.

More Porsche Bike adventures are coming up. And just like previous efforts, I plan to share every mile on this blog!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Back in the saddle

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