What a difference a week makes. The Hellhole Gravel Grind Prologue is everything Three Peaks was not: warm, flat and short.
Being an inaugral event, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Looking at the pre-registered rider list I knew there would be some tough competition in my class. It is an actual stage race where the times from Saturday and Sunday minus bonus time from today's Prologue will determine the overall winners. The course is very, very flat (max grade for the weekend = 1.0%) and not technical, so I am anticipating a lot of pack riding the next 2 days - making today's prologue bonus time that much more important.
I arrived early to do a recon lap of the 6 mile course. Very flat. Very fast. Three left hand corners, one right hand corner.
The first rider would roll off at 6:30pm followed by another rider every 30 seconds. I was scheduled to start at 6:50. Front and rear lights were required by the organizers, but there was enough daylight that it wasn't really warranted.
When the start line official counted down "5-4-3-2..." - I took off on "1" and settled into a conservative pace to avoid going out to hard. When I made the first lefthander 1.1 miles later I upped the pace 20 more watts and looked for the tail lights of the rider ahead of me.
I kept my head down and focused on maintaining a consistent pace. After the second lefthander I could see a tail light in the distance. I'm feeling OK, so I up the pace ever so slightly. I am now noticeably reeling in the rider ahead.
Before the final lefthander I catch and pass the red light I've been chasing. I recognize him as the rider that started 1:00 minute ahead of me. It's now becoming difficult to maintain the pace but as I approach the final righthander that will lead me back to the start/finish, I up the pace a little more.
When I round that final corner, I know it is only a little more than a 1/2 mile to the finish so I get all that I can. Watching my power only to make sure I don't let up. I keep pushing the pedals over - each stroke getting me closer to the finish. I can see the lighted finishing area up ahead. I can hear the crowds at the line, and the generators used to power the lights. All drawing me closer to the finish. I would've stood to sprint, but couldn't in a way that would be faster than sitting and focusing. So I sit and focus on putting the power to the pedals as efficiently as I can.
And then it's over. 17:07 after I started. My goal was a time in the 16's, but I was happy with my pacing. Later, when I downloaded the data I was pleased to discover that I was close to my pre-crash power numbers.
Tomorrow will be 63 miles on similar roads to today's ITT. It will be interesting to see how the dynamics of a mass start will play out with so many fast riders here. ..and to see if a little guy like me can keep up with the big power guys.
See you on the trails!
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