View LL Bean Time Trial (Maine Tme Trial Series # 2) in a larger map
The L.L. Bean Time Trial is an 18 mile point to point time trial that is held in Freeport, Maine. It is the second race in the Maine Time Trial Series. The course features a long rolling section on U.S. Route One, a southbound section full of twists and turns through the woods of Freeport and some tough climbs towards the end of the course. It is the longest time trial in the series and the most cerebral. Conditions are wet and foggy with temperatures in the 50s. About 120 riders enter the race.
Frame and Wheel tracks the event with an Android smartphone and includes some labels to the map to give the viewer a better sense of the course. The topographic chart makes interesting viewing. Total moving time is 48 minutes (includes rolling around the parking lot), average moving speed is 24 miles per hour, maximum speed is 40 miles per hour, maximum elevation is 134 feet, total elevation gain is 744 feet and maximum grade is 10 percent.
Frame and Wheel successfully finds the worst place to cross the railroad tracks on Park Road. A short hard effort up the hill at the end of Park Road and Frame and Wheel is northbound on U.S. Route One. It is foggy and the lenses are collecting moisture, reducing visibility. Route One starts out fast, but a gradual climb eats up speed and the legs start to protest. A white car abruptly pulls out into the road some 50 meters in front of Frame and Wheel, but fortunately does not require an adjustment is speed or course.
Frame and Wheel pushes on through the false flat of Route One and the fog. The section goes on and on. There is finally some respite on the big downhill. The climb to the right hand turn grinds on. There are no cars in the intersection and Frame and Wheel is able to maintain speed through the S turn and carry it down the following mild descent. Frame and Wheel pushes big gears here.
Frame and Wheel eases through the wet right turn and attacks the following rise that leads past the old school house. The following section is fast all the way to the next right turn which is wet and very sharp. Frame and Wheel loses some speed here and tries hard to regain it on the following section, which is increasingly narrow and windy and characterized by very rough pavement. Each bump seems to throw off rhythm and drain speed. One year a cat leapt out of the woods and ran across the road. Frame and Wheel dimly expects the creature to return.
Frame and Wheel races down the sweeping left turn to the bridge, hanging on tightly as the pavement is rough this year, and ensuring that the line is straight as can be. The momentum carries through the following rise, but that is about it. Frame and Wheel attacks the next climb and is feeling the effort. The pavement is rough and the bike is taking a pounding. The next two climbs receive the same treatment, but recovery is difficult and the drool is beginning to flow. There is some traffic at the intersection at the bottom of the hill but the marshals hussle the cars through just in time. Frame and Wheel notes thankfully the writing on the road indicating two miles to go.
The final hill is rough and long and deceptively hard. Frame and Wheel makes one last effort here. The line is in sight and the orange cones beckon. Frame and Wheel races through with a time of 40:13, which is thirty seconds slower than race winner and time trial expert Dean Phillips (Fit Werxs). Frame and Wheel is nevertheless satisfied with the result and heads to the parking lot in search of something to eat. Frame and Wheel congratulates all the riders on their accomplishments at this race and thanks the organizers for putting on an event that is on its way to becoming a Spring classic.
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