Where the C&O goal started

I was back in Frederick, MD for some wine tasting and sightseeing yesterday and stopped by the Frederick town visitor center where I first learned about the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath. This is where I first set my goal of riding the 184.5-mile C&O Canal Towpath on my 1998 Porsche Bike S mountain bike. Returning to the visitor center, I had to take a photo of the giant C&O wall display that caught my eye last fall and thank the volunteer workers at the visitor center. I told them I rode the C&O last month and am planning to ride the 148-mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) next year. Hearing this, they gave me a book and maps about the GAP ride, like they did last year for the C&O. Here we go again!

Best Porsche Bike Collection in the world?

New Facebook friend from Hanoi, Vietnam, Bao Khanh has the largest collection of Porsche bicycles I have ever encountered. I thought having three bikes was a little much. Bao has what looks like eight Porsche bicycles. In the photos he posted on Facebook, I see the vintage Bike S, Bike R, Bike FS and Bike FS Evo as well as the modern Bike S, Bike RS and the ultra rare eBike X+. What an outstanding collection!

Autumn lunchtime jog

With air temperatures cooling and leaves changing, I'm switching to more running than long-distance cycling. It's easier to sneak in a lunchtime short jog when the temps are perfect mid-day than a longer ride early in the cold mornings this time of year. I was able to go a little longer and little faster than the last couple of runs. I like that kind of progress. Still planning a long ride Sunday mid morning, but also hope to continue increasing the running miles to stay in shape for the 2021 cycling season.

Daytona GT4 practice laps

Getting in some practice laps driving the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport around Daytona International Raceway before next week's PCA Sim Racing Series 5 finale race. It's difficult to truly appreciate the steep Daytona banking until you drive it ... even in sim. I look forward to the last race of the year, but will then miss the Friday night races.

Next Porsche Bike rides

After completing the 184.5-mile C&O Canal Towpath ride, I'm looking forward to other long-distance cycling on the east coast. Here's a few I have lined up next:

Mount Vernon Trail - this nearly 40-mile round trip paved path travels along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Northern Virginia between Rosslyn and George Washington's home at Mount Vernon. This will be a shorter ride I might be able to complete this year and best suited for the 2004 Bike X.

Delaware Canal Towpath - After thoroughly enjoying the C&O Canal Towpath, why not explore other Towpaths! The Delaware Canal Towpath runs parallel to the Delaware River between Easton and Bristol. The 58.89-mile towpath trail could be a one-day ride or a nice overnight round trip. Like the C&O, this is a rough trail surface, so I'll likely ride the 1998 Porsche Bike S mountain bike.

Great Allegheny Passage - GAP is a rail trail system in Maryland and Pennsylvania—the central trail of a network of long-distance bike trails throughout the Allegheny region of the Appalachian Mountains. I'd like to ride the segment connecting Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh PA. Although this 148-mile trail is another dirt path, I've read it is mostly smooth and ideal for hybrid, touring or cross bikes. I'm planning to ride the GAP next May on the 2004 Bike X with 700x1.6 touring tires.

Two more miles

Another easy and slow two miles around my neighborhood park with the Porsche Design EC Running Shoes. Taking my time progressing to avoid injury. Looking forward to picking up the pace again. It's been way too long since I've run fast.

Bike X 40-miler ... Halloween is coming

 

Another 40 miles riding the 2004 Porsche Bike X around BWI and down to Annapolis and back today. 40 miles seems easy these days. I hope I don't lose this conditioning over the winter. The Halloween yard decorations are starting to show. Weather was perfect with low 70s and a little cloud cover.

More fun sim racing

Not my best finish, but having a blast racing in the PCA Sim Racing Series 5 driving the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport with my custom livery. Tonight racing at Watkins Glen, I started P29 and finished P21. Had a clean race and took the Porsche to the checked flag looking good. So much fun! Here's the link to the recorded broadcast.

Another short jog

With the weather cooling, I'm now transitioning from frequent early morning rides to one long mid day ride on the weekend. To fill in the weekday gaps, I'm getting started jogging again to cover the missed exercise. My second run since switching over was another short and slow two-miler around the neighborhood park in the Porsche Design EC Running Shoes. I was a little faster than the first run but can feel my leg muscles and bones need a slow reentry into running. I'm planning a long ride tomorrow on the Bike X and running again Sunday. 

My Porsche ... Hot Wheels

I posted these pics on the Porsche Hot Wheels Facebook group page. 

Sim racing version of the exclusive PCA GT3 Cup

In advance of the 2021 PCA Sim Racing spring season, I have begun work on a new livery for the Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup racer. My plan is to run the PCA exclusive 911 GT3 Cup livery produced by Porsche Motorsports North America. These photos show a side-by-side of my livery compared to the PCA GT3 Cup product brochure. I'll also create the blue version of this livery too.