The Internet of Bikes: 2011 Bennington Race Weekend Stage Race

The Bennington Race Weekend Stage Race is a new race located in Bennington, Vermont. The event features an 11 mile time trial and a criterium in downtown Bennington on the first day, and a road stage that goes through the mountains of southern Vermont on the second day. It is promoted as The Tour of Dragons which is a reference to the hills that the riders must climb. Frame and Wheel entered the Pro 1/2 race.  The temperatures were in mid fifties or low sixties, it was dry and it felt like Spring for most of the weekend. There were about 80 entrants in this category. Frame and Wheel tracked the stages using an Android smartphone and posts the maps with some more detailed labels about the various sections below.
The Android smartphone ran out of batteries during the road stage and thus it only recorded the first 60 miles of the 98 miles Frame and Wheel had to race. This highlights a weakness of The Internet of Things and in this case the Internet of Bikes: making public data relies on batteries and good GPS and wireless connections which are not always readily available. Frame and Wheel suspects that an application was inadvertently activated. Normally, the Android smartphone running the Google My Tracks application alone can last for five hours. Nevertheless, the device captures speed, distance and elevation changes very well. The topographic charts in the maps give the viewer a better sense of how steep the climbs are, although the exact numbers might be off a bit.

View Bennington Race Weekend Time Trial in a larger map

Frame and Wheel sets out at 11:06:30 after a solid warm up. Frame and Wheel catches a 30 second man on the gradual climb. The sharp turns are handled successfully and more 30 second riders come into view and are caught. On Barber Pond Road, Frame and Wheel is caught and quickly passed by 30 second man, Brett Tivers (Louis Garneau). Frame and Wheel labors through the Barber Pond Road climb and enters the last three kilometers with the usual ropes of drool on the chin and the tunnel vision. A cautious driver is in the way, but passed in the final 500 meters. Frame and Wheel's official time is 25:14:59 which results in a 4th place position in the general classification. Frame and Wheel is surprised and very pleased with the result.

View Bennington Race Weekend Criterium in a larger map
The criterium begins at 5:30 pm. There are 80 riders ready to race 53 laps around the 1.1 km circuit. The race begins and in the time it takes to clip-in, there are dozens of riders pouring into the first turn. The group stretches out into a single tentacle that wraps perhaps one quarter around the course. It seems to remain this way until a crash breaks the long chain of riders into two groups, the second of which is soon lapped. This group includes Frame and Wheel who loses two minutes. Frame and Wheel recognizes that more practice is needed with this discipline.

View Bennington Race Weekend Road Race in a larger map

The race starts at 8 am on Sunday. It is cold, but the sun is gaining strength and the skies are clear. The pace is high at the start, but settles down after the sprint competition ends at mile eleven. The peleton hits Mount Rupert Road. This section is dirt, steep and it winds up along a ridge. The pace is high. The group is stretched out, but most of it comes back together on the descent. The next climb is perhaps just as steep, but it is paved. It is a climb that goes up into the sky and it is very steep and fast. The group breaks up again, but comes together on the following descent which is very fast. The group tracks to the southern part of the course and starts up Morse Hill Road, which is not nearly as traumatic as the first too hills. The climb up onto Route 11 is a tough one and the group comes apart again, but stragglers manage to catch on during the following descent. This becomes a feature of all the climbs: huge effort followed by recovery on the descent that gives the stragglers a chance to catch back on. At the last 5 kilometers, there are only thirty riders left in the main group. Frame and Wheel finishes with the group and in 14th place in the general classification and is very pleased with the result. Frame and Wheel is grateful for the generosity, dedication and camaraderie of the OA/Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team and congratulates them on their efforts and triumphs during this race. The Tour of the Dragons is a well organized race and a very challenging one, and Frame and Wheel hopes to compete in it again next year.

Analysis of Austro-Daimler A-D TT geometry

Frame and Wheel reviews the geometries of the four sizes available for the Austro-Daimler A-D TT frame. Frame and Wheel estimates the reach from the schematic drawings of the frame

Austro-Daimler A-D TT geometry analysis

Cm	50	52	54	57
Seat tube (C - T)	50.0	52.0	54.0	57.0
Top tube (effective)	53.5	55.6	57.7	58.7
Head tube	9.0	10.5	12.0	14.0
Chain stay	37.6	37.6	37.6	37.6
Front center	57.5	59.6	61.7	62.9
Wheelbase	94.0	96.1	98.2	99.5
Head tube angle ⁰	73.3	73.3	73.3	73.3
Seat tube angle ⁰	74.4 / 77.2	74.4 / 77.2	74.5 / 77.2	74.5 / 77.2
Bottom bracket drop	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
Stack	47.8	49.7	51.7	54.5
Reach *	40.3	41.0	43.0	43.6
Fork rake	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.4

 * Frame and Wheel estimates

The seat post can be adjusted to obtain two seat tube angles. The forward position of the seat post results in a seat tube angle of 77.2 degrees. Generally, this puts the rider further forward onto the handlebars and into a more aerodynamic position. It is suitable for standard or short time trials. The rear position of the seat post results in a seat tube angle of 74.4 degrees. This is closer to the traditional geometry of most road bikes and places more of the riders weight on on the rear wheel. It is less aerodynamic, but more comfortable and suitable for triathlons. The head tube angle on the 50 cm is 73.3 degrees. This is pretty close to the middle of the head tube angle range (71 to 75 degrees) and comparable to the head tube angle of standard road bikes. This suggests that the ride will be stable and smooth, particularly at high speeds. Elsewhere on the 50cm, the wheelbase is 94 cm, the stack is 47.8 cm and the reach is 40.3 cm. 

Austro-Daimler A-D TT graphics

Frame and Wheel provides the graphics for the Austro-Daimler A-D TT frame below. The graphics were produced by Todd Silva at Bob the Screen Printer.  The idea of emphasizing the logo was a result of the down tube's unusual shape; the narrower section at the top end of the down tube clutters up any kind of lettering and makes things awkward to the eye.

This version positions the logo onto the frame in such a way that the A and the D are still recognizable, and so that the arrow is still seen. It also captures the bow and utilizes the blue and gold of the logo. There is no lettering on the chain stays or seat stays as lettering there just cluttered things up. 

This version positions the logo on the down tube only and captures the hyphen.  This version allows for the frame's color to come through more and allows for lettering on the seat and chain stays.

The Internet of Bikes: 2011 Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race

View 2011 Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race in a larger map

The Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race is 64 mile road race in Ware, Massachusetts. The race features lots of climbing, long and fast descents, some nice views of the Quabbin Reservoir and the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club who provide motor pace services. The race this year featured temperatures of 37 degrees and a steady rain and thus turnout was lower than it was in the previous three years. It is a major race for Frame and Wheel and the OA / Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team, but because there was not a 40 plus category and no team mates in 35 plus,  Frame and Wheel raced in the Pro 123 category. 

Frame and Wheel tracked the race with an Android smart phone and inserted labels at various parts of the route so that viewers can get a sense of what was happening at those points in the race. Total distance is 64 miles and total moving time is about 180 minutes (official time: 176 minutes 49 seconds). Average moving speed is 21 miles per hour and maximum speed is 40 miles per hour. Elevation gain is 4,650 feet and maximum elevation is 1,093 feet. Maximum grade is 15.7%.  There were 51 starters in the Pro 123 category.

The peleton is soaked at the bottom of the neutral section. The pace up the first climb is brisk as riders try to get warm. By the end of the next big descent, almost every rider is shaking or swinging his arms in an effort to return circulation to hands and fingers. The wet cold makes it hard to shift and apply the brakes. Frame and Wheel vows to pack foot warmers, booties and dish washing gloves in the race bag for all future events. 

A dangerous break forms of about ten riders and creates enough of a gap that the chase car catches on. The break remains in sight of the peleton. Some riders abandon or fade on the climbs. There are two flats due to water filled potholes. Frame and Wheel is sitting in and trying to stay warm.

The descents are very cold and sap any warmth created on the climbs. The shivers make it harder to hold a true line. The only consolation is that the break is caught. The reformed peleton makes the turn to the feed zone, which is populated by perhaps one supporter. One rider abandons here, another points out that the halfway point has not yet been reached. The peleton soon heads south and is greeted by a strong headwind.

The climbs at the Hardwick town line produces no attacks; the peleton stays together and pushes on. Frame and Wheel is convinced that there is a break up the road as the group appears smaller. Frame and Wheel is reticent to sit in, hydrate and eat and try to stay warm.   The peleton stays together on Greenwich road and there are another two riders who flat. Although much of this road is repaved, there are still some rough sections. 

There are perhaps two riders off the front, but they remain in sight of the peleton. The pace picks up as the group enters Ware and hits the last remaining climbs. The first steep section results in no attacks, and the peleton stays together on the longer but more gradual climb that follows. 

The group of 22 riders enters the last five kilometers in the park and the pace picks up and remains high. Frame and Wheel is convinced that the race will end in a field sprint. The cat and mouse begins and Frame and Wheel moves to the front to cover the attack that surely must come. It does not come until "Hank's Meadow", a flat section right before the final climb to the finish, and it is not the surge that Frame and Wheel is expecting. One rider attacks and Frame and Wheel follows. The gap is big and Frame and Wheel is certain that it cannot be closed, but Frame and Wheel tries nevertheless. Frame and Wheel expects the field to come charging past at any moment, but that never happens. There is one rider behind Frame and Wheel, but he cannot close the gap. Frame and Wheel enters the last 200 meters which are characterized by the usual tunnel vision, a cold and wet quietness, a single spectator shouting out encouragement and a race official indicating the finish line "funnel". Frame and Wheel is very pleased with the second place finish, and heads directly for the car and the promise of warm clothes and some real food. 

The Internet of Bikes: Upper Marlboro Howard Lothian Loop

View Upper Marlboro Harwood Loop in a larger map

This loop requires riding on Route 4 to cross the Patuxent River. Route 4 is a major artery out of Washington DC, but it has a large shoulder and only a short time is spent on it. Once on Sands Road, traffic calms down a lot, although large trucks still seem to use this road to head south. Once off of Sands Road, the traffic clams down even more and the roads become very quiet and the scenery very pastoral and green. The loop returns on Route 2 which is a busy road, but the shoulder is wide. The duration of the ride was 78 minutes and the distance was 21 miles. Average moving speed was 17 miles per hour and maximum speed was 32 miles per hour. Total elevation gain was 1,167 and maximum elevation was 165 feet. A nice ride in new territory that has much potential for future rides.

The Internet of Bikes: Carl Dolan Memorial/Howard Country Library Spring Classic

View 18th Carl Dolan Memorial / Howard County Library Spring Classic in a larger map

Frame and Wheel travelled south after a stop over in New York City and ended up in Maryland for a few days. The temperatures were much warmer and the surroundings green and lush. The birds were singing and the flowering trees were in bloom. Frame and Wheel entered the 18th Carl Dolan Memorial/Howard County Spring Classic, a circuit race around a business park in Columbia, Maryland. The temperatures were in the fifties and the sun was shining, but the wind was strong, in the wake of the severe weather that ravaged the Southeast. The circuit was two miles in length and featured a gradual but long climb up to the finish. Total duration was 54 minutes and total distance was 21 miles. Average moving speed was 21 miles per hour and maximum speed was 39 miles per hour. There were about 70 riders in the 35 plus field. 

Frame and Wheel cannot be sure of the details of this race, but here is an attempt. Frame and Wheel attacks the climbs the first two times around, but can't get away. The attacks continue and soon a break of two riders forms. Frame and Wheel needs to recover and settles in for the next four laps during which time the break is caught, re-established and caught again. Frame and Wheel recovers and attacks at lap seven and becomes part of a small break of three riders that closes on two riders who are in sight and 20 seconds or so up the road. The break falters and is soon absorbed by the charging peleton. Frame and Wheel fades as the group forms a speeding tentacle that ultimately reaches out and grabs the two riders up the road. Frame and Wheel finishes 17th. A well run event, a pleasant setting and very good competition. Frame and Wheel hopes to return.

The Internet of Bikes: New York City Central Park Saturday Morning Ride

View Saturday Morning Ride in New York City Central Pare in a larger map

Frame and Wheel rode in Central Park last weekend for the first time in many years. The temperature was in the 50s and it was overcast. It was an early start so there was not much traffic, outside of the CRCA Saturday Morning Race Series, which was an impressive sight. Frame and Wheel was aware that the race is open only to CRCA club members, and had no intention of hopping on. Instead, Frame and Wheel crept around and took some pictures and absorbed the cool Spring morning in the big city. Frame and Wheel completed five loops for a distance of 31 miles and a duration of 102 minutes. Average speed was 17 miles per hour and maximum speed was 32 miles per hour. Total elevation gain was 2,428 feet and maximum elevation was 237 feet. Frame and Wheel learned that to improve the accuracy of elevation measures, it is necessary to activate the 3G feature on the phone so that the GPS can connect to Google Maps and identify the location. 

Elsewhere, Frame and Wheel notes that after 8 am, the park begins to fill up with walkers, runners, cyclists, dogs and people on roller blades and cross country skiing rollers.  There are groups of walkers and runners and students walking and crossing the road. Soon after encountering a woman on a wheeled stair master, Frame and Wheel decided it was time to return home to a selection of fresh bagels.