Seat time

After a hard week physically, I decided to take an easy 27-mile ride on the Baltimore Annapolis bike trail. My goal was to ride easy and just get some seat time. I was sore before I started so it wasn't an easy ride as hoped. I did enjoy the scenery and riding the 1998 Bike S.

The Porsche 99X Electric - The latest Porsche racing car

Porsche revealed the latest racing car, the 99X Electric during a game on the Twitch gaming network. I watched most of the game, but the best part is the new name ... 99X. Very cool. Can't wait to follow this through the Formula E 2019-2020 season.

Bike FS back together

After an afternoon of wrenching and drinking beer, Dennis Yee's Porsche Bike FS is back together. I even took it for a test ride. The frame is in great shape and the shocks are performing perfectly after today's rebuild. The brake and shifting lines need replacing. That will be next. This Porsche bike rebuild project is off to a great start.

Porsche Bike FS

While in New Jersey I picked up my buddy Dennis Yee's Porsche Bike FS. It's in 1 million pieces now and the fun begins. I'm hoping to get this roadworthy within a couple weeks.

Airport ride

Did a single lap around the Baltimore Washington International Airport this morning on the Bike S. I felt like I could do a couple laps but I want to increase my seat time slowly. I think I'll go for another long ride on Thursday.

Wekfest

Me and three other PCA members invaded the tuner event known as Wekfest today. This car show at the New Jersey Expo Center was for folks who like to modify their cars and included just about every car manufacturer imaginable. There weren’t a lot of Porsches in attendance so we tried to make up for it with enthusiasm. It was a fun day checking out cool cars though.

Baltimore to Annapolis leg test #1

Curious where I'm at in my training, I decided to ride the Baltimore to Annapolis paved trail this morning on the Porsche Bike S as quickly as I could. I didn't stop for any photo opportunities, I just pedaled fast. The temperatures were about perfect for something like this but I did run into periods of sprinkles and headwind on the way back to the Cayenne. I averaged just under 15 mph which exceeds my target pace on next year's multi-day Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath adventure.

Provinces 5k

This morning I ran 3.1 miles around Provinces Park in the Porsche Design Endurance Boost running shoes. Slow, but fastest 5k in a long time. I have a lot of weight to lose but it's a good step in the right direction.

Bike S C&O mods

Planning to ride the 184.5 mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath trail next year will require lots of cycling training but also some modifications to the 1998 Bike S. Like modifying the Bike X over a past winter to prepare for the 129 mile Death Ride, I have this winter to make adjustments to turn the Bike S mountain bike into an off road touring bike. I can't wait to start the work.

For starters, here's my list of changes I'd like to make:

• Seat - Ergon SMC4
• Handle bar grips - Ergon GP5
• Mud guards - SKS
• Gears and chain - SRAM 9-speed, 11-34 cassette
• Touring tires - ContinentalTraffic 26
• Saddle bag - Ortlieb Seat-Pack 11L
• Bell - Reich

A memory fulfilled...

While at Werks Reunion Monterey, I noticed a woman setting up a tent with many colorful nicely displayed Porsche pillows. One of the pillows was exactly like the yellow 911 turbo pillow my Grandmother made for me when I was 14 years old. I wandered over and mentioned that I had some history with a Porsche pillow like these. I told her my story of my Grandmother fueling my passion for Porsche cars by gifting me with items such as these pillows. Then it sank in and I asked, "what is your name?"

She relied, "Margie Smith-Haas"

I froze. Then gave her a big hug. I can't believe I just met the woman that designed the pillows that my Grandma made for me all those years ago!

I remembered that name "Margie Smith-Haas" on the bottom of the pillows my Grandmother gave me. Not only did she design these pillows, with Porsche family approval, she was a Porsche race car driver as well!

Unfortunately, as I grew up I didn't keep these pillows. I don't even recall what happened to them. I suppose a teenager doesn't "need" pillows and I threw them out.

But much, much older now, I regret not having them and seeing Margie and the exact same pillow called to me. So, I bought one of these antique Porsche pillows ... the same one my dearly departed Grandmother stuffed for me all those years ago.

This pillow I will keep forever.

I was honored to meet Margie Smith-Haas and it fulfilled a longtime memory of mine.

Laguna Seca historic races

After Werks Friday, I spent a half day at Laguna Seca watching the Porsche race cars at the Laguna Seca historic races. I met Jörg Bergmeister, Porsche factory driver, and got to see the Type 64 before the botched auction.

2019 Werks Reunion Monterey

Friday I was at the 2019 Werks Reunion in Monterey, California. Tons and tons of Porsche. But as always, these are the images significant to me. I also met and shook hands with Dr. Wolfgang Porsche!