One down

 

One strut install completed. Three to go. Finished changing out the front left to a new Bilstein B6 strut, new top mount and new bump stop. This weekend I’m planning to change out another strut, possibly the left rear. Looking forward to a fun spring drive in the 986 with all new shocks. 

Spa-Francorchamps to Summit Point

Last night's 90-minute PCA Sim TeamRacing event at Spa-Francorchamps was a blast. In a quality field, my teammate and I qualified P27 and finished P23. I had so much fun I'm now practicing for next week's sprint race at Summit Point Raceway, my home track.

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps practice

I'm racing in the PCA Sim Racing Zone 2/4 team race at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Wednesday night. Here's an onboard practice lap in the RSR.

986 shock work begins

Started work installing upgraded struts on the 2001 Boxster yesterday. Good progress until I found the strut bump stop had disintegrated. Ordered one for each shock assembly. Now it's time to wait until those arrive. This is my winter project, so no hurry.

New struts for the 2001 Boxster

Planning to install new Bilstein B6 struts and top mounts on the 2001 986 Boxster over the next few weeks. All four struts arrived, but waiting for the mounts. Since the Boxster isn’t drivable over the winter with the summer-only tires, I’m hoping to take my time and enjoy the work. The B6 struts should not only correct the poor performance of my original old and worn out B4 struts, but should improve over stock performance. Looking forward to the first spring drive. 

Sim racing at Summit Point

I'm planning to jump into the PCA Sim Racing Zone 2/4 race this week at Summit Point. Thought a little practice would be in order. Fun little track in the Porsche RSR.

Side note: with the absolutely fabulous weather today, I put the top down and took the 2001 Boxster for a spin. While driving I spotted a black Porsche Speedster. With both cars' tops down, we raised our arms high waving at each other. Seeing both black Porsche roadsters, with chrome rims, from different generations made my day.

Another interval training session

Feeling better today, I thought I better get in another quality run before tomorrow's incoming rain. Again temps into the 60s, I did four tempo interval repeats around my neighborhood park with the PD EC Running shoes. Today felt better and was a little faster than two days ago. I'm starting to feel my form coming back and speed increasing. I was into the 8 minute mile range. Felt so good to be out in the sun running again. Distance was another 5K.

Slow hangover two-miler

After an evening of too much wine watching Star Wars shows yesterday, I wasn't feeling like a run today. But with temps in the mid 60s, I thought I should get outside for a ride or run. Didn't feel I could balance on a bike, so I managed a very slow two mile jog. A little run is a good hangover cure.

Interval repeats

With good weather and feeling about ready, I ran some interval repeats yesterday. Not too long or too fast, but felt good to get some speed work in again. It's been too long. I jogged a loop around my neighborhood park, then followed with a tempo run lap. Did four of these. I forgot to take a pic so here's a Porsche Design EC Running promo image I haven't posted before.

50° 5k

After days of cold, rain and wind, today was 50°, sun and little wind. Perfect day for an outside jog with shorts and a light windbreaker. Nothing fast, but felt good to get outside again and off the stationary bike in the living room. My Adidas running app now shows 145.79 miles with the Porsche Design EC Running shoes.

Happy Holidays!

 

Post T-Day 5K

Under cool and cloudy skies, I went for a post Thanksgiving 5K to burn some more calories. 

Thursday Thanksgiving 5K

Planning on eating and drinking a lot today, I jogged a 5K around noon. I overdressed as the 60 degrees, no wind and sun made it quite warm. I should have selected running shorts and a tank top. Live and learn, I guess. It did feel good to get outside and feel the sun though. I'll try to get back out over the next three days if the weather holds. I'm hoping to be able to switch from the PD EC Running to the Endurance Boost shoes shortly, although the calorie count today won't help.

Winter prep

With winter coming, it was time to change to the winter tires and rims on the 2006 Cayenne S and thoroughly clean and store the 2004 Bike X and 1998 Bike S. While having a Dunkel of course.

Winter is coming 5K

With temps in the low 50s, I went for early afternoon 5k jog. Low wind and sun made it comfortable to wear shorts and a light jacket. Fun and easy run in the PD EC Running shoes.
 

I found another Porsche Bike X for sale on the German eBay website. This Bike X is a small or medium frame size, unlike my large size. The asking price is approximately US $2,186.42. Looks like my Bike X may be increasing in value. I read on another Bike X listing that only 250 of these bikes were produced by Storck for Porsche in the early 2000s. These might only increase in value. Although I'm beating mine up pretty good with the long distance endurance riding I'm doing. So, mine probably won't be worth as much.

Here's the listing while it's active. The product description is incorrect though. But it is Porsche Bike X.

Dunkel season

Winter for me is Dunkel season. The dark German bier seems to fit the colder temperatures and cloudy days well. After a bike ride, a couple Dunkels and hanging out in the garage was just right. Prost!

Christmas colors? Too early?

13-mile ride today trying to maximize the remaining ridable days left in 2020. 1998 Porsche Bike S still performing well after the C&O 190-mile pounding.

Quick ride

Quick and short 11-mile ride on the 1998 Porsche Bike S today. Weather peaked at 60-ish degrees so I thought I should go for a spin!

Leaves are gone

After some rain and a lot of wind, the leaves on my running path are gone. Today was another late lunch short and easy jog in the Porsche Design EC Running shoes.

Pre-rain run

After helping a friend change out shocks on a 987 Boxster for nine hours yesterday, I wasn't sure I could muster the energy to go for a jog today. Yesterday wore me out, but good news is now I know how to change the shocks on my Boxster when the time comes. With more rain coming in later today, I knew it was now or never so, I went for an easy and slow four miles this morning in the Porsche Design EC Running shoes.

Porsche wins!

Today couldn’t have gone better for Porsche! 1-2 in WEC and IMSA GTLM PRO and P1 in WEC GTLM PRO-AM and IMSA GTD. All in one day!

Leaves

Short lunch time jog around the neighborhood through all the leaves that had fallen in yesterday's storm.

RSR practice

Got some practice in with the RSR running my new obscure retro John Paul livery at Road America today. Love this car and track!

*Follow up note: Finished P11 out of a 30+ grid at the Road America practice race last night. Practice pays off.

Autumn Bike X ride

Short lunch time ride around my neighborhood. Third day in a row before the rain comes in for the rest of the week. Today I rode the 2004 Porsche Bike X. Great ride with all the beautiful fall colors.

Another neighborhood 14-miler

14-mile ride around my neighborhood and nearby park on the 1998 Porsche Bike S. Two days in a row. New rear tire tube held up well. I'm trying to maximize the good weather days before they are gone. Which looks like this Wednesday.