The Internet of Bikes: Downeast Racing Killington Stage Race Day 2 Mountain Stage

The Mountain Stage is a 75 mile point to point course that features fast descents, tough climbs and the summit finish at Killington Ski Resort. Conditions were dry and warm. There were about 100 riders at the start. The plan was to conserve until the second time up North Road (mile 40). This was the right plan and everyone was using it. Matt Moon brought me to the front and just in time to catch on to the surge up North Road. It was hard work and the field shrunk a bit in size. The race pushed on through the big descent and the dirt road section. The pace on the fourteen miles on Route 4 was very fast. We passed the 40 Plus field and perhaps another group. It was hard work. Dan Vallaincourt brought me to the front as the race turned onto the East Mountain Road and the final climb. The pace did not slow a bit, and there was traffic from the previous categories. I could see right away that I was going to have a hard time keeping up with the lead group. They were in sight up until the second hairpin, after which the climb became a personal journey to go as fast as possible without blowing up completely. I managed to join a small group that pushed on for the summit finish. The last section was as hard as always with open road and the 500 meter flag beckoning in the distance. I crossed the line in 29th position with a time of 3:08. I was pleased with the result given the level of competition, the difficulty of the terrain and the size of the field. There is no way I would have made it without the nerve and wisdom of Matt Moon and Dan Vallaincourt, who finished the climb soon after. It was warm at the finish and after some recovery, we made our way back to the house. I was really tired. 

The last 500 meters

The Internet of Bikes: Downeast Racing Killington Stage Race Day 1 Circuit Race

The Killington Stage Race is a three day stage race held around Killington Vermont on Memorial Day Weekend. The race features Vermont hills, beautiful green scenery and great bike racing. I joined Downeast Racing team mates Matt Moon and Dan Vallaincourt in the Pro 1 2 race. The first day was a 77 mile circuit race. There were 120 riders at the start and many teams from New England and Canada. Conditions were variable. I was running FOS 38T tubulars with Vittoria EVO CX tires on my Austro-Daimler Superleicht Carbon Di2. The bike ran very well all weekend. 

The first few miles saw a flurry of attacks and two crashes. A two man break formed soon after and things settled down. The pace was brisk on the gradual climb through the back of the course but cool heads prevailed on the fast descent to Route 100. I tried hard to ride at the front with Dan Vallaincourt and Matt Moon, but it was just too busy for me and I was just getting in the way. I settled in and concentrated on conserving energy and staying out of trouble (there were many of flat tires due to lateral cracks in the road). As expected, the break was caught at the last lap and the field charged down the last few miles in the pouring rain to contest the famous sprint. This was not for me and I finished with a group time (2:42), soaking wet but not too tired. 

Off to the Circuit Race

The skye open on the last lap

Frame and Wheel reviews Austro-Daimler tt Carbon Champagne time trial bike

Time travel

Time trial bikes were not common thirty years ago. Indeed, Frame and Wheel never raced in a time trial as a youth and the few aero bikes around at the time were not very aerodynamic and just beginning to emerge in events such as the Tour de France. Presently, time trial bikes are ubiquitous and there are time trial events on every race calendar. Frame and Wheel competes frequently in time trial events nowadays and is pleased to be able to do so on an Austro-Daimler tt Carbon. Frame and Wheel raced a white one in 2012 and is training on a Champagne version for 2013. 

It’s about a frame set

The frame set features Austro-Daimler 41TT front fork, Austro-Daimler dual position aero seat post, integrated head set and TRP brake set. The frame features aero down tube and seat stays, cutaway aero seat tube, oversized chain stays, BB86 press fit bottom bracket, chain stay mounted rear brake with faring, internal cable routing, riveted front derailleur hanger, horizontal alloy rear dropouts with adjustable axle bolts, two water bottle cage mounts (for the triathlete), distinctive “champagne” finish and down tube Austro-Daimler logo. The 52 cm frame set weighs 2.7 kg (6 pounds). It is designed for mechanical shifting and cannot accommodate electronic shifting. The seat post collar has been improved and now includes two tightening points compared to only one previously. Mechanics report that building up the Austro-Daimler tt Carbon is very straight forward. 

Built up with Stages Cycling power meter

An important point to recognize about the Austro-Daimler tt Carbon frame set is that it does not accommodate SRM or Quarq power meter cranks: the diameter of the opening around the spindle on the power meter plate is not wide enough to fit onto the BB86 bottom bracket. Frame and Wheel likes to use a power meter on the time trial bike and discovered that the Stages Cycling power meter works fine on the frame set and is an attractive alternative: it is refreshingly less expensive (which leaves more resources available for GPS and social network enabled power control units), the difference between 400 watts and 410 watts is immaterial to Frame and Wheel (both are hard for Frame and Wheel to maintain for a long period of time) and Frame and Wheel has always preferred alloy crank arms (Shimano Dura-Ace) over carbon. Frame and Wheel notes that traditional crank sets will work fine on the frame set. 

A fine wine

The Austro-Daimler tt Carbon offers variable seat tube geometry ranging from the more aggressive time trial position (77 degrees) to the more comfortable triathlon position (74 degrees). The desired geometry is obtained by moving the seat clamp forward or backwards along rails on the top of the seat post (This is much easier than pulling out the seat post and reversing it). The ride is smooth and the bike feels stable. Frame and Wheel’s Austro-Daimler tt Carbon is built up with Zipp wheels (900 Tubular disc rear and 808 Firecrest tubular front), a Stages Cycling power meter with Garmin 810 control unit, Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 drive train with 55T/42T chain rings, 3T Brezza II bars and an Adamo seat. The bike weighs eighteen pounds. Fit Werx 2 in Peabody, Massachusetts did the build and the fit.

The voice

Every bicycle has a voice that speaks directly to its rider. For Frame and Wheel, the Austro-Daimler tt Carbon speaks of a mature passion for the time trial discipline. For others, the tt Carbon will perhaps speak plainly of originality, performance and value. For others, no voice will be heard. Frame and Wheel’s view is that the Austro-Daimler tt Carbon is a fine and fast time trial bike that uniquely combines the new with the old. Frame and Wheel looks forward to racing it in 2013.

Specifications

Brand: Austro-Daimler

Model: tt Carbon

Material: Unidirectional high modulus carbon fiber

Design: horizontal top tube

Series: time trial / triathlon

Front fork: Austro-Daimler  41TT

Seat post: Austro-Daimler carbon

Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900

Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900

Bar-end shifters: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900

Cassette, bottom bracket, chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900

Crank set: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 170 mm 55T/42T 

Power meter: Stages Cycling Power Meter 

Power control unit: Garmin 810

Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 SL Carbon

Bar and stem: 3T Brezza II straight bend and 3T ARX Team alloy stem

Seat: Adamo Racing

Wheel set: Zipp 900 Tubular rear Zipp 808 Firecrest front tubular

Tires: Vittoria Corsa EVO CX 23-28 tubular 

Total weight with wheels: 18 pounds 3 ounces (8.2 kg) size 50 cm

Rider: Fred Thomas OA/Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team

Build and fit: Fit Werx 2 Peabody, Massachusetts

Frame and Wheel on Austro-Daimler tt Carbon Champagne in 2013 and sample in 2012

Frame and Wheel races Austro-Daimler tt Carbon sample in 2012

Frame and Wheel reviews Austro-Daimler Superleicht Carbon Di2 Champagne road bike

Return to the peleton

The Austro-Daimler Superleicht Carbon Di2 Champagne is the modern day version of the Austro-Daimler Superleicht that Frame and Wheel raced almost thirty years ago. The technology and the materials are wildly different, but the spirit and the finish are the same (Frame and Wheel got out the Pantone Color Bridge and found the color that was closest to the finish on the Austro-Daimler Superleicht frame set that sits in the Frame and Wheel office). Frame and Wheel has been racing and training on an Austro-Daimler Superleicht Carbon Di2 for the past year (a white one) and provides some thoughts about it below.

The features

The frame set is designed expressly for electronic shifting. Cable stops are absent on the down tube and chain stay and there is an opening on the bottom bracket to accommodate wiring and junction boxes. Customers ask if it can be converted. The answer is no. Frame and Wheel learned from customers that using Shimano Ultegra Di2 requires the opening under the bottom bracket to be enlarged in order to accommodate the larger junction boxes (Shimano Dura Ace junction boxes are smaller). This can be done by an experienced mechanic with the proper tools. One customer also successfully used Campagnolo EPS on this frame set. Frame and Wheel remains an electronic shifting convert. The practical benefits include a very easy shift from the small ring to the big ring and quick and easy rear derailleur adjustment (that can be done while you are riding). Frame and Wheel notes that when your hands are numb with cold, electronic shifting is very useful. It is also very useful for masters category hands that have been weakened by a lifetime of keyboard work. There also seems to be less chain slap when riding on rough road. The battery charges quickly and lasts a very long time. Frame and Wheel learned that when the battery does run out, the front derailleur stops shifting first. This not a problem on a training ride, but if it happens in a race, it will be a problem. It is easy to forget to charge the battery and even easier to forget to remove the battery from the charger. Forgetting to bring the charger to a training camp or a stage race is also very easy to do. Frame and Wheel notes that it is easy to shift, and thus one can shift excessively or by accident. 

Smooth ride

The Superleicht has a slack geometry (71.5 degrees head tube angle and 74 degree seat tube angle) and the wheel base is long (98.4 cm for the fifty centimeter size frame).  and thus the bicycle tracks very well and feels stable on the descents and in the corners. The down tube and the chain stays are oversized and explain the bicycles wonderful stiffness and acceleration. Other features include Austro-Daimler 37SL carbon front fork, Austro-Daimler 31.6 mm carbon seat post in Champagne finish (which  creates the impression of an integrated seat post without actually having one), English thread bottom bracket, full internal cabling, asymmetrical top tube, bolt-on front derailleur hanger for braze-on front derailleurs, replaceable rear derailleur hanger and painted rear drop outs.

The voice

Every bicycle has a voice that speaks directly to its rider. For Frame and Wheel, the Austro-Daimler Superleicht Carbon Di2 Champagne speaks personally of a cycling past and a cycling future. For others, the Superleicht will perhaps speak invitingly of electronic shifting, light weight and comfortable geometry. For others, no voice will be heard. Frame and Wheel’s view is that the bicycle is a great pleasure to ride and looks forward to racing it in 2013.

Specifications

Brand: Austro-Daimler

Model: Superleicht Carbon Di2

Finish: Champagne

Material: Unidirectional high modulus carbon fiber

Design: sloping top tube

Series: Road

Front fork: Austro-Daimler 37SL

Seat post: Austro-Daimler carbon

Front and rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 Di2

Dual control levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 Di2

Cassette, bottom bracket, chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900

Crank set: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 170 mm 53T/39T

Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 SL Carbon

Bar and stem: 3T Rotundo carbon classic and 3T ARX Team alloy stem

Seat: Fizik Arione

Wheel set: Zipp 303 carbon tubular

Tires: Vittoria Corsa EVO CX 23-28

Total weight  as shown: 14 pounds 14 ounces (6.9 kg) size 50 cm as shown

Rider: Fred Thomas OA/Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team

Build and fit: Fit Werx 2 Peabody, Massachusetts

Encinitas winter training camp

Encinitas, California is a great place to go for a winter training camp. The temperatures relative to the rest of the continental United States are very comfortable, the terrain varies from flat to high mountains and there are many group rides to join. When the riding is done, there is the California vibe for all to absorb (the beach with its crashing surf and pods of surfers), the restaurants (Mexican food in particular) and features such as the San Diego Zoo and Seaworld. There are many condominiums that are empty this time of year and owners are eager to rent them out. JetBlue goes to Los Angeles frequently and from there it is an easy two hour drive; alternatively, one can fly directly into San Diego. JetBlue operates the comfortable Airbus 320 and charges a reasonable $50.00 for a bike box (Trico Iron Horse). 

The scenery in the hills of Encinitas is lovely: the hills roll and sometimes are quite steep. There are beautiful vistas, lemon orchards and horse farms and some fantastic houses. The village of Rancho Sante Fe is a precious enclave that on any given day must have the highest concentration of luxury sports cars per square kilometer in the United States. The coastal towns ooze California cool: coaster bikes, hip cafes, quirky shops, beautiful people and many cyclists. The beach or the ocean is almost always in sight. The climb up to Torrey Pines and Soladang are features of the coastal routes.

Encinitas Hills

Encinitas Hills

The traffic along the coast can be busy especially in places like La Jolla and Del Mar, but there is usually a well established bike lane. Traffic gets busier towards San Diego. Drivers are accustomed to cyclists and generally patient and respectful, but on the roads in the hills outside of Encinitas, there are no bike lanes and you have to ride on or near the white line. The Del Dios High way to Escondido has a nice bike lane, but traffic is moving fast. Lake Wholford Road is a bit rough and there is no bike lane, but traffic is less busy, albeit brisk. Route 78 up to Ramona is narrow, but traffic is light if you get there in the morning. Palomar Mountain State Park has very light traffic except for the motorcycles that race up the seven miles of switchback (South Ridge approach). Frame and Wheel saw more of California in these seven days of riding than in the previous thirty years of watching movies about the place.

Palomar Mountain State Park is reachable from Encinitas, but an early start is required. There and back is about 120 miles or eight hours. It is helpful to choose a nice day as the summit of Palomar Mountain is over 5,000 feet. Even on a clear and dry day, it is cold (mid forties) at the top. If it is wet, the descent is miserable. There are plenty of places to get food and water along the way. The climb on Lake Wholford Road is a nice feature of the ride and the seven miles of 7 percent climbing on the Paolmar Mountain road is a great challenge. Frame and Wheel made this ride twice during the week. Each time the ride lasted longer than the batteries in the Android.

Palomar switchbacks

Cloudy first day up

Observatory was not visible

Begin descent

Fingers were very cold

Second Palomar ride

Dry

Seven percent

View from 4000 feet

Getting up there

Ramona is a bit closer than Palomar Mountain, but the ride will still be over 100 miles starting from Encinitas. The route goes around Escondido and picks up Route 78 which climbs gradually, and then more sharply all the way to the town of Ramona. Route 78 continues east into high country and climbs less gradually, but elevations are well above 2,000 feet. Route 78 meets the old Julian Highway and at this point the route heads back down to Ramona and ultimately into Poway. The descent into Poway uses Route 52 which is busy and with very little shoulder; it requires caution and was probably the most dubious section of road experienced during the trip. From there the route works its way towards the coast. Frame and Wheel became hopelessly lost in the suburbs outside of Del Mar, but was able to eventually make it to a planned rendez-vous point at Torrey Pines thanks to the helpful guidance of joggers and residents. Carmel Valley Road is the main thoroughfare to the coast.

Ostrich farm along Route 78

Town of Ramona

Julian Highway high country

The Swami’s Cycling Club organizes regularly scheduled group rides out of Ride Cyclery. Frame and Wheel joined the Swami’s A ride on the last Saturday of the trip (8:10 am start). There were perhaps forty to fifty riders including numerous members of the Swami’s Cycling Team, as well as USA Cycling Team riders, World Champions and other dead ringers. Peter Sagan (Liquigas) was rumored to be attending the ride that day, but Frame and Wheel was unable to confirm this. The ride charges through a few neighborhoods before it reaches the rolling terrain of Elfin Forest Road. This section is fast and there were numerous riders getting dropped here. Surprisingly, the ride comes to a complete halt at a church and from there riders can go to Lake Wholford or head back to Encinitas. After some 35 hours of riding during the week, Frame and Wheel was very pleased to head back to Encinitas. Frame and Wheel felt very welcomed on this ride and was amused to hear that most riders considered the 60 degree temperatures to be very cold. It was a fine way to conclude a great week of riding. Frame and Wheel hopes to return.

Post Swami ride

View from top of Solodang

California's been good to me

The Internet of Bikes: Tour of the Catskills 2012

The Tour of the Catskills is a three day stage race held in Hunter, Windham and Tannersville, New York. The race features a 12 mile individual time trial, a 65 mile “Epic” stage that includes the infamous Devil’s Kitchen climb, followed by another mountain stage that features the cryptically named and extremely steep Airport Road climb. Frame and Wheel has family in nearby Germantown, New York and is thus able to justify the long but easy drive to participate in this great event. Frame and Wheel is using the Austro-Daimler tt Carbon for the time trial. It has been running very well and Frame and Wheel is pleased with its performance. The bike is set up with Dura-Ace 7900 components, 3T Brezza bars, Zipp Disc and Zipp 404 front (running Vittoria Corsa EVO 23 mm tubulars) and a SRM power meter. For the road stages, Frame and Wheel is using the Austro-Daimler Superleicht Carbon Di2. The bike is light at 14.6 pounds  and the electronic shifting is easy and quick. The bike is set up with Dura-Ace 7900 components, 3T Rotundo bars, Zipp 202s (running Vittoria Corsa EVO 23 mm tubulars) and a compact crank set for the event. Frame and Wheel enters the Masters 40 plus category along with fifty other riders from around the region and Canada and tracks the rides using Strava for Android.

Frame and Wheel’s start time for the time trial is 11:59. Temperatures are in the low 80s. Frame and Wheel warms up just enough to break a sweat and activate the system, but once this is done, staying cool is the priority. Frame and Wheel sets off on time and in correct order and gets up to speed. The outbound route is mostly downhill, but it is a very mild grade and there is a head wind. Frame and Wheel concentrates on staying aero and on top of the right gear, which turns out to be a 53 x 11 in many sections. Frame and Wheel catches a few 30 second men and is not holding anything back. The turnaround is on a downhill. Frame and Wheel recklessly locks up the rear wheel (to the amusement of the marshals) and negotiates the cone. Inbound there is a tailwind, but it is all uphill. The climbs are gradual but long. Frame and Wheel is able to catch a few more riders, but towards the last mile, there are no more riders in sight and the drool is beginning to flow. Frame and Wheel is very conservative on the last corners and gives up many seconds. Frame and Wheel pushes to the line and finishes with a time of 25:57 which is slower than the previous year (2010: 25:29) but fast enough for fourth place. David Gazsi of Team IFG wins the day (25:10) followed by Ron amos of Ride with Randall (25:45) and Christoffel Prinsloo of CRCA/ FinKraft Cycling (25:56). Frame and Wheel heads for Germantown and a cool bath.

Stage 2 begins in Tannersville. Temperatures are moving into the 80s. The 40 Plus category sets off at 11:30 and right from the start there is a break that includes break away artist Carl Reglar and five other riders. This break soon has 2 minutes on the field and the wheel van has disappeared up the road. The peleton does not seem too concerned as there is a lot of climbing ahead as well as the Devil’s Kitchen. Frame and Wheel is aware that riders can get away and stay away on this course, if there is enough of a gap for the break to ease its way up the Devil’s Kitchen climb. Frame and Wheel’s experience with the Devil’s Kitchen to date has been one that results in complete detonation of body and mind and thus Frame and Wheel hunkers down with peanut butter sandwiches and Gatorade (straight up). 

The field arrives at the Devil’s Kitchen. The wheel van is back with the peleton and although the break is out of sight, it is not far up the road. Frame and Wheel matches the pace of the lead riders. Soon there are only three riders: Erin Korff (CRCA/Axis) and Roger Aspholm (Finkraft Cycling Team) and Frame and Wheel. Aspholm is moving relentlessly up the steep; Frame and Wheel clings to Kroff’s wheel. There are riders from an earlier category walking their bikes up the climb. It is warm. There are spectator shouting encouragement, but Frame and Wheel does not understand what they are saying. Frame and Wheel is pushing a 34 x 28 with maximum effort, which in some sections results in a spontaneous wheelie. Frame and Wheel recovers at the top and is able to chase Aspholm who has now caught Carl Reglar and Bill Shattuck. It takes a maximum effort and perhaps some willingness on the part of the chased for Frame and Wheel to finally close this gap. Kroff is unable to hang on and the break reforms with four tired riders pushing for the line over the last 6 miles. Frame and Wheel is at the front and in yellow as the four bear down on the last section to Main Street. Frame and Wheel opens the sprint and is well aware that there will be some one coming by at any minute. Bill Shattuck (Corner Cycle) comes through in a great show of strength and panache to take the stage win. Frame and Wheel has survived the time warping effects of the Devil’s Kitchen for the first time and is very pleased to be in the yellow jersey. Frame and Wheel heads for home and another cool bath and some real food.

Stage 3 begins at Windham Mountain Ski resort. Temperatures are warm, but there are clouds on the horizon and rain in the forecast. The field starts off at 11:00 am. FinKraft Cycling Team moves to the front and drives the pace up Route 23. There is some respite on the two mile descent. FinKraft puts the pressure on again on Route 145. The field is stretched out; the pace remains high on to the Potter Road climb. Frame and Wheel gets to the front where on this section where there is more room. The KOM contenders are at the front and in the final meters, there is a surge for the line. Soon after the KOM, it begins to rain very hard. It becomes very dark; water is flowing off the roads in sheets. It is very hard to see. The lead elements of the KOM have a gap and are riding fast down the descent through the pouring rain. Frame and Wheel struggles to get to the front of the chase group; everyone is surely struggling with visibility and confidence about the road surface. The rain eases and the two groups come back together, except for Roger Aspholm who is up the rain soaked road. The field eventually catches Aspholm and makes it way towards Prattsville.  

There are a series of attacks here from FinKraft Cycling and Verge Cycling. Frame and Wheel is nervous about hanging on to the yellow jersey  and does not like the idea of a break getting away and gaining minutes on the field. Frame and Wheel covers the attacks. The field passes through Plattesvillle and heads up Airport Road. John Van Funk (Verge Cycling) and Ralk Warmuth (FinKraft Cycling Team) are up the road.  Airport Road is very steep and wet too; some riders are spinning out on the climb. Frame and Wheel is pushing a 34 x 28 and gaining time; without a compact Frame and Wheel would be in trouble on this climb. The field fragments a bit but as the climb eases the field comes together again and catches Funk and Warmuth. The field navigates that last few descents and climbs and arrives at the base of Windham Mountain for the up hill finish. There is a strong cross wind and there is a fence flapping across the final 100 meters. This does not stop Monte Frank (Verge Sport) from surging for the line and winning the day, followed by a very strong Mark Miller (Favatas Trt Bicycle) and John van Funk. Frame and Wheel creeps over the line in sixth place which is good enough to stay in yellow in the general classification (6:17:19). Roger Aspholm wins the King of the Mountain competition and finishes second in the general classification (6:18:04) followed by Bill Shattuck in third place (6:18:18). Frame and Wheel is very pleased with the result and grateful to be able to compete in a category that is characterized by such great competitors. Frame and Wheel thanks the organizers for putting on a fine race. A very fine weekend of racing and the peak of the 2012 season for Frame and Wheel.

Austro-Daimler tt and road

Aspholm, Thomas, Shattuck on the podium

Sunday's rain clouds

Germantown