The Internet of Bikes: 2011 Lake Auburn Road Race

View 2011 Lake Auburn Road Race in a larger map

The Lake Auburn Road Race is a road race held in Auburn, Maine. The route is an 11-mile circumnavigation of Taylor Pond (the original course went around Lake Auburn, but when that course was changed a few years ago, the name of the race did not). The course features fast straightaways,  tough gradual climbs with false flats and The Wall, an abrupt but short hill that riders must visit repeatedly. The race is a "home" event for the OA / Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team and thus turnout of OA / Cyclemania riders was high in all categories. Frame and Wheel joined Stuart Abramson and Hank Pfeifle and about 45 other riders in the Pro 123 race racing 70 miles or six times around Taylor Pond. Conditions were dry and calm with temperatures in the 60s.

Frame and Wheel tracked the race on an Android smartphone and put in some labels in the hopes of providing some detail about the course and the event. Frame and Wheel activates the Terrain view on the map so that the viewer can spot the contours of the course. Total duration is about 180 minutes, total distance is 70 miles, average moving speed is 23 miles per hour, maximum speed is 45 miles per hour, total elevation gain is 3,000 feet, maximum elevation is about 500 feet and maximum grade is 11.9% (presumably The Wall).

Frame and Wheel includes the more detailed observations about this race in the labels on the map. The main observation about this race is that it is harder than it appears. This is because the field must repeatedly climb up The Wall, endure the attacks on the downhill sections and hang on for the surges through the other climbs and the false flats. After six laps, the legs are feeling the effort. On the last time up the The Wall, a break forms and soon has 45 seconds. The field chases and then chases hard up the last climbs which shrinks the field to about ten riders. The break is in sight and it has fallen apart, but it is far enough up the road that Tim Mitchell (CCB) solos for the win. The field sprints for the line which is in sight but still a long way off.  Frame and Wheel hangs on for 7th place and is very pleased with the result. Frame and Wheel thanks the Maine Cycling Club for putting on a great event and congratulates team mates Stuart Abramson (12th) and Hank Pfeifle (14th) and the OA / Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team riders in all the categories on their results.