The Internet of Bikes: LL Bean Time Trial (Maine Time Trial Series Race #3)

The LL Bean Time Trial is the third race in the Maine Time Trial Series. The race is held in Freeport. The course is an 18 mile loop that features straight rolling sections, narrow roads and short steep climbs. Temperatures were in the 50s and conditions were dry for the first time in recent memory. About 80 riders start the race. This is the third race for Frame and Wheel on an Austro-Daimler tt Carbon. Frame and Wheel sets off at 8:10 am. Route 1 is rough in sections, but traffic is light so there is room to avoid the obstacles. False flats are the feature here. Frame and Wheel concentrates on gearing, position and maintaing speed on the uphills and through the corners. The road is resurfaced on the back stretch. This makes a huge difference as in previous years this section of road is capable of shaking loose handlebars. Frame and Wheel loses speed on the last turn on to the very rough and uphill section into the finish line. The drool is flying and the legs protest but the finish is just up the road. The race is over. Frame and Wheel’s time of 40:03 (2011: 40:12) is fast enough to win the day, but well off of the sub forty times routinely posted by Tim Mitchell (CB Racing ) and Dean Philips (Fit Werx). Regardless, Frame and Wheel is very pleased with the result. Frame and Wheel  congratulates everyone who turned up to race and thanks LL Bean and the organizers for putting on a great time trial.

Frame and Wheel races an Austro-Daimler tt Carbon

Frame and Wheel is shown here racing an Austro-Daimler tt Carbon at the Portland Velo Club / Cyclemania Time Trial in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The bicycle features Shimano 7900 drive train (mechanical), TRP brakes and brake levers, 3T Brezza II base bar with straight carbon extensions, 3T ARX alloy stem, Adamo saddle, Zipp Disc 900 tubular rear wheel and Zipp 404 tubular front wheel. Fit Werx 2 in Peabody, Massachusetts did the fit and the build; Don McEwan took the picture. More information about the frame set and availability can be found at the Frame and Wheel website. 

The Internet of Bikes: Cyclemania / Portland Velo Club Time Trial (Maine Time Trial Series Race #2)

The Cyclemania Portland Velo Club Time Trialis the second race of the Maine Time Trial series. The race is held in Cape Elizabeth. The course is a 13 mile double loop that features long straight sections, long gradual climbs and winding sections. Temperatures are in the 50s and conditions are dry and calm. About 50 riders start the race. The main feature of this race is navigation. The course has a shorter loop within a larger longer loop. It is very easy to become confused or to forget to make the turn onto the inside loop, even though it is clearly marked. The course is in Frame and Wheel’s back yard, and it is still difficult to remember navigation details. The other feature of this course is the long straight sections on Route 77 that riders must complete twice. This is the second race for Frame and Wheel on an Austro-Daimler tt Carbon. Frame and Wheel sets off at 7:30. Traffic is light and there is little wind. Frame and Wheel makes the first right turn successfully onto Fowler Road. The section is rough in places and very flat. The second time down Route 77 seems to go on forever. Frame and Wheel makes the second right turn onto Spurwink Road successfully. The two steep climbs here bring out the drool and the rough road makes it hard to concentrate on maintaing speed. The last hill into the center of town has the legs burning. Frame and Wheel makes the sharp right turn into the school and goes for the line cautiously as there is another right turn that follows soon after. The race is over. Frame and Wheel completes the course in 29:43 (2011: 30:05) which is fast enough to win the day (One rider has a time of 25 minutes, but it later becomes clear that he missed the first turn and completed just the outside loop). Frame and Wheel congratulates all riders on their results and thanks the organizers and volunteers for putting on a great time trial.

The Internet of Bikes: Penn Bay YMCA Time Trial (Maine Time Trial Series Race #1)

The Penn Bay YMCA Time Trial is the first race of the Maine Time Trial series. The course is a 16 mile out an back that features gradual climbs, fast descents, long, open straight sections and strong winds. About 50 riders turn up for this race. This is the first race for Frame and Wheel on an Austro-Daimler tt Carbon. Frame and Wheel sets out soon after 9 am. There is a tail wind on the out bound section, but it is hard to notice. Frame and Wheel concentrates on the road, position and gearing. The road is rough in sections. The climb up to the turn around is as challenging as in previous years. A strong head wind greets all riders after the turnaround. The climb at mile ten brings out the drool and the following wind swept straights torture the mind. The Reduced Speed Ahead sign means that the finish line is 500 meters up the road at the end of a gradual climb. The race is over. Frame and Wheel’s time is 33:21 (2011: 33:45) and fast enough to win the day. Frame and Wheel congratulates everyone on their results and thanks the organizers for putting on what is a classic time trial race.

Frame and Wheel joins Doug Chaisson, Nate Smith and Nate Davis for a post race ride around Searsmont, Lincolnville and Hope. A great route that features some impressive vistas and the climb up the suitably named Hatchett Mountain.

The Internet of Bikes: Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race 2012

Frame and Wheel joins Eric Larrson and Eric Weinrich of the OA / Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team for the Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race in Ware, Massachusetts. The race is a popular and legendary race that features 4,000 feet of climbing, fast downhills and extraordinary vistas of the Quabbin Reservoir. Temperatures are in the upper 30s at the start and conditions are dry and clear (a wild improvement over 2011). About 80 riders line up for the 62 mile route in the forty plus category (Frame and Wheel almost misses the start to this event due to a Bike Talk-induced navigational Tronski that added an extra one hour to the drive).

There is an early and dangerous break that quickly gains one minute and the wheel van. Frame and Wheel is in no position to chase and rationalizes that there is a lot of climbing to be done and the wind is strong. Additionally, the field has many strong riders and it picks up a lot of speed on the big downhills. Frame and Wheel sits in. The race at times begins to feel like the Portland Velo Club Saturday morning ride: relaxed but brisk, unofficial but serious. Frame and Wheel is well-hydrated and well fed. 

The break is in view on the straight sections outside of Ware. The pace is high on Route  Nine; the break is out of sight but not far up the road. The field enters the park road and riders jostle for position. Finally, there is a genuine attack that strings out the field. Frame and Wheel joins in and gets to the front. The break is now in view and it looks tired. Frame and Wheel bridges over and gets to the break at 200 meters and from there goes for the finish. A glance under the arm reveals that there is a gap. There is a shout of encouragement from a single by stander. The line finally arrives and the race is over. Frame and Wheel makes brief salute, hoping that there is Graham Watson apostle covering this event who will immortalize Frame and Wheel’s first victory on an Austro-Daimler Superleicht in twenty-eight years (no such luck).Frame and Wheel congratulates team members and competitors on their performances and thanks the race organizers for putting on a great race.

Frame and Wheel races an Austro-Daimler Superleicht Carbon Di2 at 2012 Tour of the Battenkill

Frame and Wheel joins Ron Bourgoin, Neil Fitch and Eric Weinrich of the OA / Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team in the 40 plus category at the 2012 Tour of the Battenkill otherwise known as “The Hell of the North”. Temperatures are in the mid 50s at the start and conditions are dry. One hundred and twenty one riders line up for the 62 mile route that features steep climbs, dirt roads and the bucolic scenery of upstate New York.

This year the peleton stays together over the climbs on Perry Hill Road, Juniper Swamp Road and Cemetery Road. The dirt sections on Cheese Factory Road and Wright Road become the features of the race. The sand is deep in places, the rocks are big and the dust at times obscures the lead car and portions of the field. The crack of rocks ricocheting off of carbon and expletives penetrate the roar of shaking bicycles and their riders. Frame and Wheel switches religions at least three times and struggles to get to and stay at the front of the field. Riders are fishtailing in sections; some riders lose momentum completely and come to an abrupt stop. Remarkably, there are no bad crashes. Frame and Wheel follows the advice of cyclocross guru John Grenier: keep the RPMs low and stay seated. 

Somewhere towards the end of Wright Road, a break of five riders suddenly forms including Thomas Francis, (Wheelwroks Racing), Jacob Hacker, Ted Michaels (Evolution Cycling Club), Dan Staffo (Handlebars Cycling Company) and Frame and Wheel. There is a 30 second gap and the five work together to maintain it through to Stage Road. Thomas Francis and Frame and Wheel struggle to keep up on the this final climb and lose time. On the final flat section, however, the two work together and close to within meters on the three other riders who are absorbed in the traditional game of cat and mouse.  At the 1K mark that game ends abruptly when the three see that they are about to be joined by two more riders; the three keep their gap. Jacob Hacker wins the day, followed by Ted Michaels and Dan Staffo. Frame and Wheel crosses the line in fourth place with Thomas Francis seconds behind.

The race is much more challenging for Frame and Wheel this year. In previous years, Frame and Wheel has the luxury of being in small and early breakaways, primarily the result of Joe Bean Road. This year Frame and Wheel must endure riding in a large pack, frequent accelerations and the stress and trauma of riding blindly over very rough dirt roads. Thus, Frame and Wheel is very pleased with the result and congratulates Ron, Neil and Eric on their results. Most importantly, team mates and competitors have come through relatively unscathed; the Austro-Daimler Superleicht has also survived its first race. Frame and Wheel purchases a bottle of Battenkill Valley Creamery Chocolate Milk and heads for home.

Customer comments for Austro-Daimler Superleicht Carbon Di2

Frame and Wheel posts eBay feedback and comments from owners of the Austro-Daimler Superleicht carbon Di2 below. 

Chris - United Kingdom

eBay feedback

One word. Awesome!

Other comments

Just got the frame! Wow.  We are very happy. It is beautiful. Can't wait for us to get it going. Just to let you know this is not only my best ever eBay purchase experience, but a great retail experience as well. Thanks again!

Hanspeter - Austria

eBay feedback

Great seller, excellent product, ultra fast shipment, AAA+++

Other comments

The frame set arrived and I´m very happy. Hopefully I will find time tomorrow afternoon to visit RIH and discuss the built-up of the bike. I´ll keep you informed.

Bryan - United States

eBay feedback

Outstanding service and great bicycle frame excellent company AAA++++

Other comments

What a beautiful artfully crafted light frame! Everything arrived in excellent condition. I'm researching the equipment I want to use on the build and will let you know which bike shop I choose. I'll be returning the box empty. When I settle on the shop completing the build I'll let you know.