I went to school there and I'm very familiar with the pan flat grids (I rode a bunch then, but wasn't racing at the time). What you didn't mention is there is usually a steady 10-20 mph wind. I'm sure that makes the group ride interesting.
What we don't have in elevation, we make up for in headwinds.
Lots of solo out and back rides where I'm doing 250w into the wind at 14mph, then turn around and cruising at 28 and 100w.