Saturday morning I opened the 2021 season with the Sham Events Ouachita Gravel Grind TT. I don’t typically race in January, but after last year, I was itching for some competition. The Ouachita Gravel Grind is usually a mass start event, but they decided to make it a time trial this year due to Covid-19. At 27.3 miles, this would be the longest time trial I have ever raced, and also the first time I have ever ridden with TT bars on my gravel bike.
It was a sunny but chilly morning in the Ouachitas; fortunately the 10 o’clock start allowed the temperatures to (barely) rise above freezing. The course began with four miles of mostly flat and smooth roads, before climbing on and off for the next four miles. From there, It was a rolling descent to the turnaround point, and then back in via the same route. I started fast, quickly catching up to my “30 second man” while powering along the flatter roads in the time trial position. As I hit the climb, I settled into a smooth tempo, wanting to save my legs to attack the climb on the way back. I weaved around some of the slower riders who had started ahead of me.
From the top of the climb down to the turnaround point, I didn’t see many other riders; I had passed all but a few of those who had started ahead of me. I tried a few times to fish some Clif Bloks out of my back pocket, but my gloved hands could not do the trick. As I neared the turnaround I saw a few competitors coming toward me including Brian Lea who would be one of the top contenders for the win. Some quick math told me I was in a good position. At the turnaround I was finally able to get some Clif Bloks out and washed them down with a quick sip of water.
As I headed back on the return leg of the route, the plan was simple. Push hard up the hill, recover on the steeper parts of the descent, then hammer home in the TT position over the final smooth stretch of road. It was going well, until near the top when my body started to feel some of the effects of such a hard effort in the cold air. A side stitch and a fit of coughing caused me to ease off the gas for a minute or two. Fortunately I was able to crest the climb and catch my breath as I coasted downhill.
For most of the return trip I had been waiting to see a rider in the distance whom I could use as a carrot to chase down. Finally, with only a couple miles left I had a target in sight. This was a good distraction from the pain, and by the time I had cruised past him I only had about a mile left to go. I crossed the line in a time of 1:23:28, about two and a half minutes ahead of Brian Lea who came in second, and almost five and a half minutes ahead of third place rider Brent Findlay.
Andrew Evans 