It's raining Porsche Bike prototypes these days. Today I received images of the first Votec-made Porsche Bike prototype. This is what led to the Porsche Bike FS 1996-2004. My new friend and 1990s Porsche Bike technical director has provided lots of new information!
My new friend and 1990s Porsche Bike technical director, emailed me these two images. The white bike is the Porsche Bike R prototype circa 1998. And the orange bicycle is the first Votec-Porsche Bike design rendering. This is the design image that convinced Porsche to make bikes for global sale … and it is on his workshop wall today!
The Weissach Bike Spyder #37 is now cleaned up and on display at the PCA National Office in Columbia, Maryland. A permanent display location for the unique bike and predecessor of all Porsche Bikes will be next.
Growing up I always wanted the Porsche Transformer Autobot known as Jazz. Today while at Target I saw a toy version for sale. Had to buy it.
45-minute stationary bike ride in the garage. Pretty cold and windy outside so I brought it inside. Nice view of all the Porsches!
One of my favorite features on the Porsche Bike Spyder 9.85 prototype and the Bike Spyder #37 is the front brake line path through the handle bar stem. Saves weight ... shortest distance between two points. Most bike front brake lines travel "the long way" which is easier, but adds a tiny bit of weight. At under 20 pounds, every little detail on this bicycle is about weight saving. Very impressive for a 1990 design.
Before finishing the Bike Spyder #37 cleaning and following Thanksgiving day food fest, I ran a quick turkey day 5K through my neighborhood park with the Porsche Design Endurance Boost running shoes.
Looks like the automotive media industry is taking notice of Porsche Bikes. Here’s a recent post on Jalopnik.
The Weissach Bike Spyder #37, one of 50 bikes built to the same specifications and by the same guys as the Porsche Bike Spyder 9.85 prototype, arrived in Maryland today. I have been looking for this bike for so many years I can't believe it is here in front of me! I plan to clean it up over the next four days before it goes on display at the PCA National Office.
The Bike Spyder #37 is leaving Germany shortly in route to Maryland. It is scheduled to arrive Wednesday. Getting close and getting excited! Prost!
Fueled on caffeine and a good tonight's rest, this morning I started dreaming up a new adventure. What about buying another Porsche Bike from Germany, but take the "Germany delivery" option like when buying a new Porsche? Buy perhaps an early 2000s Porsche Bike CS (pictured above) and pick up at the sellers location in Köln, Germany and ride up and down the Rhine River? I could do this flying into Dusseldorf. I like this idea!
I am contemplating fully changing the 2004 Porsche Bike X into a road bike. After the 360-mile C&O/GAP ride in "touring" mode, I switched the Bike X back to "road bike" mode for more paved cycling. But the straight handlebars always leaves the bike in a more touring or commuter bike stance. If I switch to drop handlebars, that would fully convert the Bike X into a road bike. I am looking at the Syntace Racelite 7075 31.8 aluminum handlebars in a 46cm size.
Aluminum Syntace bars would leave the Bike X as stock as possible, since my current stock straight bars are also aluminum and Syntace brand. I will need bar tape, new shifters and brakes including cables. Sounds like a fun winter project.
Short walk to CVS and short neighborhood park run today with the PD Endurance Boost running shoes.
I switch from cycling to running in the winter because it's just too cold to bike. Running is slower and my body generates more heat. So running for me is easier in the colder temperatures. Today was a good example of that. With windchill near 40, I would have froze on one of my Porsche Bikes. But running with winter running gear on, and my Porsche Design Endurance Boost running shoes, wasn't too bad. It's not cold enough for a beanie and gloves yet, so it was a nice run despite the wind. Today's four miles around my neighborhood marks the beginning of when the park is "all mine" as the colder weather scares away most everyone else. It's quiet and peaceful. I had a good run at a decent pace today.
Porsche just acquired the majority stock in e-Bike manufacturer, Greyp in Croatia. Looks like Porsche is seriously committed to e-Bikes going forward, particularly with this statement in the press release, "In March 2021, the long-established range of bikes was expanded further: the Porsche eBike Sport and eBike Cross represent the brand’s take on exclusive electric bikes. At present, both models have almost sold out, thanks to the very positive market reaction. What’s more, Porsche is continuing its long-standing and successful partnership with Rotwild. Work is currently underway on product updates to the existing Sport and Cross models."
I have no doubt an updated set of eBike Sport and Cross will include the Porsche Digital products announced with the new Porsche co-developed Cyklaer bikes.
I look forward to seeing future Porsche Bike releases!
So much fun yesterday, we rode back to the food truck again today. Great weather for a short Bike S ride.
A friend and I rode a short distance to get burritos at a food truck for lunch. Yummy!
I ordered a 1997 Porsche Bike brochure off the German eBay website because it had a Porsche Bike I have never seen before ... the Porsche Bikester. The brochure arrived yesterday and I've added it to my Porsche Bike documentation collection. I have never seen even a photo of this bike, beyond this brochure. Now I'll have to track it down!
Another epic Porsche Bike ride is in the record books. This time the Porsche Bike team rode 390 miles from Buffalo to Albany in the state of...
