I don't think they were thinking of the riders at all when they graded that road on Firday night or early Saturday morning. Or if they were, it was only to p*** everyone off. Pretty sure that road is privately maintained by the local landowners. Given the amount of organizational apptitude last year, anything is possible.

Like Spago mentioned, look at Eroica as a series of 20-ish mile intense rides: the sprint down to Cayucos, then the hills to and up Santa Rita (and the lovely downhill that follows), up Kiler Canyon (and then the up and down through the ridge that follows), then the long and curvy climb up Cypress (and the death-defying descent afterwards).

To that end, when I can't ride outdoors, I spin in intense 20-mile/90 minute sessions three to five times per week, with a fairly slow 45-70 cadence and consistent power numbers in the 180-200 range. Works for me, also burns calories.