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Returned to Cycling After Sports Car Phase

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Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

Returned to Cycling After Sports Car Phase

Old 08-31-21, 02:36 PM
  #26  
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Yep, after owning my 70 911S for 44 years I just recently sold it. Nothing like an pre 74 911. Still have my 2006 MX5 Miata, feel like a kid every time I drive it, like a bicycle you are one with the machine. Retired 1 1/2 years ago took up cycling again, have logged over 8000 miles since then. I also use a Garmin 830 to track time, speed, distance, heart rate, and power. I also have the Varia radar connected to it. (best accessory I purchased for the bike)

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Old 08-31-21, 02:59 PM
  #27  
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I've owned this 74 VW since new and made a few upgrades over the years. There's nothing like the sound of an aircooled engine running at 6000rpm and the smell of rich premium fuel in the exhaust.




There's plenty of room in the garage for both.
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Old 08-31-21, 09:11 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by TiHabanero
Have always been a bicycle and car guy. At age 14 I declared my destiny was to work in the bike biz, which I have done for a long time. I also have ASE certification, worked on muscle cars, had a few imports, and one sports car that is completely misunderstood by all the world.
Porsche 914. The 911 guys call it a VW, which it kinda is, the sports car nuts call it a joke, but those of us that have owned one call it a heck of a lot of fun! My neighbor had a 914/6 and I had the lowly 1.8. Without a doubt the /6 is a head turner as it whizzes by a 911 going through the bends. No question in my mind the 914 is the greatest of them all, but misunderstood and underestimated in the /6 format, especially with an upgraded 911 powerplant in it and modified to handle it.
When Porsche fielded the 914-6 GTs and 911s in the major races of the day, the 914s were consistently taking higher places and also winning the majors. Since 911s were considered Porsche’s halo cars and bread and butter, the factory 914s were quickly pulled from all races.

A properly set up and more importantly well driven 911 is fast, but still not as fast as a 914 with the same motor.
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Old 08-31-21, 09:33 PM
  #29  
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So many NC owners here! Nice! My DD:

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Old 09-01-21, 06:04 AM
  #30  
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Rsbob, you do know the history. It is amazing how much better the 914/6 really is over the 911 of its day. I must say, that on public roads it all amounts to literally nothing as there are lane restrictions and speed limits. A 1970 Caddy is just as good as a GT 40 when on public roads. The bravado is reserved for the track. lol
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Old 09-01-21, 07:13 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by TiHabanero
......................A 1970 Caddy is just as good as a GT 40 when on public roads........................ lol
But a GT40 looks fast, even when parked.
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Old 09-01-21, 07:52 AM
  #32  
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A 70s Caddy is no comparison to a GT40 on public roads, if you live out in the country, or to put another way, rural areas.
Tim
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Old 09-01-21, 07:14 PM
  #33  
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"A 70s Caddy is no comparison to a GT40 on public roads, if you live out in the country, or to put another way, rural areas."

The rural roads where I ride are typically 55mph max speed, and the curves are banked enough to handle that speed. Road surfaces are not screwed up like they are in the city, and a tight suspension rides OK. I just don't see one having an advantage over the other within the confines of public roads.
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Old 09-01-21, 07:40 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by Warbird21
...bought a '79 MGB that is stupid fun...
Yep... Lots of fun to drive and easy to fix if ya got the gumption. In 78 my Dad and my Brother and me each had an 60ish MGB. On any given weekend we usually had at least one of them drive able. Fun fun fun...
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Old 09-01-21, 08:05 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by TiHabanero
Rsbob, you do know the history. It is amazing how much better the 914/6 really is over the 911 of its day. I must say, that on public roads it all amounts to literally nothing as there are lane restrictions and speed limits. A 1970 Caddy is just as good as a GT 40 when on public roads. The bravado is reserved for the track. lol
I live in the boondocks with lots of wide open roads with little traffic. Have attended several performance driving sessions, raced on various tracks and taught a bit too. I believe in driving in a spirited yet safe manner when away from houses and always take great care around cyclists - give them a lane-width, So I can say I can enjoy my car safely going around suggested 20 MPH curves, etc at 40 in a 45 posted zones. I will challenge any 70 Caddy to do that. You can spare me any lectures on my driving as I will spare you.

PS: Zero tickets or accidents in 41 years.
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Old 09-01-21, 08:07 PM
  #36  
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I had this 964 for 17 years and traded it for a Tesla this week. It's spent most of the last few years in my garage so it was time to let someone else enjoy it.

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Old 09-01-21, 08:41 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by gregf83
I had this 964 for 17 years and traded it for a Tesla this week. It's spent most of the last few years in my garage so it was time to let someone else enjoy it.

Those are wonderful cars with ample power. Many of my early 911 brethren had 964s because they were such hot rods.

I always had two and sometimes three but sold all the 911s because like you, after a few years, they just sat there. Different times, different priorities.
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Old 09-01-21, 09:15 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by rsbob
Those are wonderful cars with ample power. Many of my early 911 brethren had 964s because they were such hot rods.

I always had two and sometimes three but sold all the 911s because like you, after a few years, they just sat there. Different times, different priorities.
Fortunately, I gave mine to my son so it’s still in the family. I’ll miss that sweet sound.
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Old 09-02-21, 04:50 AM
  #39  
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Here's the MGB. In the past five years, rebuilt the top and lower ends of the motor, early high-compression pistons, SU carbs replaced the Weber, head work, new interior/top, 15" mini-light replicas and rebuilt the front suspension last winter. One of these days I'll paint it.

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Old 09-02-21, 02:05 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by rsbob
About 18 years ago a friend of my wife drove to our house in a 1972 911S with sport exhaust and threw me the keys. I took it out for 45 minutes and was utterly hooked. The power, the sound, the classic shape were absolutely intoxicating. I pretty much gave up cycling and got into pre-74 911s. Joined a sports car club or two and spent my free time working on the cars, making them lighter and perform better. I learned a ton and improved my mechanical skills. Meanwhile my bikes sat collecting dust. Weekends were spent driving with the club, along with club dinners and lunch drives. I found to my shock that sports car guys eat crap food. I was a bit shocked at first but ate the way I usually did with an occasional cheeseburger and fries. Did week long drives with the club to California where we would drive more and of course eat. One thing about pre-74 cars is no catalytic converters and the exhaust was a mix of unburnt fuel, oil and normal combustion. In other words, don’t get trapped behind one, or worse yet, 6 or more.

With COVID and the increasingly alarming changes to the climate, I decided it was time to be a bit more responsible pollution and food-wise. (My weight during those years went up 15 lbs). In 2020, I sold off my cars and returned to my first love, cycling.My fitness was abysmal, endurance horrible and hill climbing an absolute miserable struggle. After almost a year and a half, I don’t miss sports cars, and their horrendous expense. Since then my fitness and mental attitude have greatly improved. I lost the 15 lbs and in general feel much better. When we get through COVID I will meet again with my car-nut friends for a beer since I miss the comradeship. What I wont miss are the exhaust fumes and getting 12 MPG on supreme.

Now my life is about improving fitness and buying bike toys, like my new Garmin 830 to track my fitness and structure workouts - something I have never done but will be fun to explore, especially if it works.

Anyone gone through this or something similar? Left and returned to cycling, the great time machine that it is?
so in another words you grew out of your mid-life crisis..
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Old 09-02-21, 02:55 PM
  #41  
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^. Hysterical. Actually my mid-life crisis started in HS when I really started noticing and falling in love with 911s. It was not until after grad school and a few years of employment that I could afford a used one. Think I was 30 then. So it was a dream fulfilled (and evidently an early mid-life crisis)!
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Old 09-02-21, 04:27 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by rsbob
very cool. Since there are some P-car fans: Had a 73 911S (graduated HS in 73 and dad is German) which I restored and sold at the height of the bubble. It now resides in a Philippine collection, and the proceeds were invested. Did buy an 82 SC which I hot rodded and now lives in NY. I do have one car left, a 71 914 which I drive very occasionally on nice days. The suspension, though completely rebuilt and upgraded is too harsh for anything over 3 hours an the engine was upgraded to a carbed 3 ltr. It has massive torque which is good fun. On a nice day, I would still rather ride these days.

Other car bought and sold was a 72 911T.
Rick, I just realized you are the RSBob from the Pelican Parts and Rennlist forums. Small world. I've been there for many years, but just started to cycle and recently joined here.

This is my car, but unfortunately it has been off the road for far too long.




Mark
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Old 09-02-21, 05:12 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by msalvetti
Rick, I just realized you are the RSBob from the Pelican Parts and Rennlist forums. Small world. I've been there for many years, but just started to cycle and recently joined here.

This is my car, but unfortunately it has been off the road for far too long.




Mark
Hey Mark good to see you too. Always loved impact cars in black. Your targa sure is a sweetheart. Had a 72 targa and absolutely loved driving it open top on hot summer nights. The sound was intoxicating as I am sure you know.

Not spending much time on Pelican these days since I am 911-less. Do go to 914 World on occasion when I have an issue to sort - like yesterday’s leaking speedo cable fix. Did sell a set of Fuchs this week on Pelican to a great guy from Oregon named Shamus who is a multi-car enthusiast.

There are quite a few cyclists here that are also into sports, muscle and moto. I have found that performance driving and cycling really work hand in hand on finding the correct line, apexing, going in slow/fast out and looking where you want to go. Physics are physics - duh.

Lot of knowledge here and a lot of Pelican Off Topic types too so Ignore will be your friend.

Welcome and will look to chatting and seeing you here in the future. Rick
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Old 09-03-21, 07:22 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by rsbob
Hey Mark good to see you too. Always loved impact cars in black. Your targa sure is a sweetheart. Had a 72 targa and absolutely loved driving it open top on hot summer nights. The sound was intoxicating as I am sure you know.

Not spending much time on Pelican these days since I am 911-less. Do go to 914 World on occasion when I have an issue to sort - like yesterday’s leaking speedo cable fix. Did sell a set of Fuchs this week on Pelican to a great guy from Oregon named Shamus who is a multi-car enthusiast.

There are quite a few cyclists here that are also into sports, muscle and moto. I have found that performance driving and cycling really work hand in hand on finding the correct line, apexing, going in slow/fast out and looking where you want to go. Physics are physics - duh.

Lot of knowledge here and a lot of Pelican Off Topic types too so Ignore will be your friend.

Welcome and will look to chatting and seeing you here in the future. Rick
I'm on Rennlist as well. I think pound for pound (or is that gram for gram), a cycling obsession if more expensive than a Porsche obsession (short of an IMS failure on M96/97 engines).
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Old 09-04-21, 07:48 AM
  #45  
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SLK 55 AMG here. The basic principle here is that bicycles are practical, daily utility transportation and that cars are for fun and recreation.

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Old 09-04-21, 09:03 AM
  #46  
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Been there, done that. Now much prefer riding bikes and drive a Tesla.
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Old 09-04-21, 09:08 AM
  #47  
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Originally Posted by rsbob
Those are wonderful cars with ample power. Many of my early 911 brethren had 964s because they were such hot rods.

I always had two and sometimes three but sold all the 911s because like you, after a few years, they just sat there. Different times, different priorities.
I think we must live in a parallel universe! I've owned a '73 911 2.4S, '77 911 3.0 Carrera, '92 964 RS, '82 911 SC, '02 996 Carrera, '09 997 Carrera 4S.
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Old 09-04-21, 09:11 AM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by gregf83
I had this 964 for 17 years and traded it for a Tesla this week. It's spent most of the last few years in my garage so it was time to let someone else enjoy it.

Since buying a Tesla 4 years ago my 911 has sat gathering dust in the garage. Time to sell it really!
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Old 09-04-21, 01:48 PM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by PeteHski
I think we must live in a parallel universe! I've owned a '73 911 2.4S, '77 911 3.0 Carrera, '92 964 RS, '82 911 SC, '02 996 Carrera, '09 997 Carrera 4S.
Your 73 was a real looker.

Have moved into the SUV - bike hauler phase - had a Cayenne and now a Macan. Love the Macan, smaller, more nimble and a bit faster. The bikes go on the hitch rack carrier which is so nice.
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Old 09-04-21, 04:20 PM
  #50  
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Was never a 'sports car' guy, as opposed to a Musclecar / drag racer guy... I had a '74 Camaro with a transplanted BBC...



Wife has her 23k-original mile '70 Mach 1



I still have my two '73 Q-code Cougars (one gold, one pewter)

AND a REALLY unusual 'race car' '89 Crown Vic LX, just because...

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