Domnarski Farm - 3 June 2012

On Sunday, June 3rd, a handful of team members found themselves in Ware, MA for the Domnarski Farm Race - another from the Root 66 Race Series.  According to Matt Domnarski, there were record numbers of racers, even with an EFTA race going on in nearby RI.  For DAS, it was a tough choice.  Both courses are usually a blast, but it was all of the climbing and descending that really made the decision for most of the DAS racers.  With a bunch of ski-resort races coming up, it seemed like it would be best to get a jump start on the climbing.  

Pro/Open Women's Start - courtesy of Matt Domnarski

The cool part about Domnarski Farm, was that there was stuff for families to do while all the racers were out in the woods.  There’s a pond, horses to look at, and a lemonade stand with all kinds of goodies.  Not only that, but the port-a-johns were in the shade, the course was crazy fun, and all of the cat 1 and cat 2 racers were out on the course at the same time, so we weren’t there the entire day.  Oh yeah, and if you made the podium, you got cash.  What more could you ask for?

The Parking "Lot" - courtesy of Matt Domnarski

Domnarski Farm - courtesy of Matt Domnarski

Racing at 11:30 for two ten-mile laps was Tracy, Dan, and Liz A.  Shortly after that at 11:45, the Cat 2 guys, Chris and John, lined up for their one ten-mile lap.  Despite the high numbers of DNFs, all of the DAS racers were able to finish.  Tracy and Liz each made the podium in 3rd for their respective categories. 

Dan - courtesy of Matt Domnarski

Dan Biscup...  

“Domnarski farm is one of my favorite root 66 races. It has massive climbs, mud, rocks and skinnys, what else do you want? Last year at the .5 mile mark my seat post broke off. As I refuse to ever get a DNF I proceeded to race 9.5 miles standing up. If anything it gave people some in-race entertainment! So this year my goal was to complete and place in CAT1. My first lap was excellent, I felt great. I passed a person and was running 2nd or 3rd. On the last lap I felt over confident and being the cool guy I am, proceeded to jump over a rock garden section. I hit the jump hard but came down hard on the last rock. Almost did not cut it this time and my reward was loud “phssssssss” sound and a white stans cloud. I tried to get the remaining stans to patch with a co2, but it would not hold. I put in a tube but my backup co2 was spent. As I was about to start my 10 mile jog, Liz Allen showed up and handed me a pump, the race was back on! Finished last-ish. The numbers seem screwy as there were many DNFS. There were more people listed in the results than started the race so who knows. All I can say is I conquered D-Farm!”

Tracy - courtesy of Matt Domnarski

Tracy...  

“I was as usual nervous before the race feeling like I just may vomit, luckily I didn’t. Since we had a lot of rain on the Saturday before the race I was mentally prepared that it would be a bit slick and muddy. After the second long climb I was thinking I don’t know if I can do another lap and I may vomit. Again no vomit happy about that . When I got to the hill where the tree of death was located there was a rider at the bottom regaining his composure and a few other riders were walking down it. So I got off my bike and attempted to walk down, but I fell and slid down the entire hill on my ass, it was actually kind of fun. Then the bridge of absurdity was next, oh yes I walked that. There was several mud puddles that were like swimming holes and while I was going through them all I could think of was please don’t let a snake slither on by I will have a flipping heart attack. Let see other highlights I did make the 2nd lap and again did not vomit. I did see a snake on the second long climb, but be was belly up and defiantly dead so I was not panicking. I finished, had fun, got dirty, and even unzipped my jersey luckily this wasn’t UCI race or I may have been disqualified. One last thing, I am hoping that all the racers out there including myself have not traumatized the local porcupine that had set up residence out there.”

Liz... 

"I went into this race with the intention of redeeming myself after last weekend.  My goal was to start out at a comfortable enough pace to ride clean; basically, the course is technical and has some good climbing right from the start, so I didn't want to waste energy fumbling or getting off of my bike on sections that I should be able to sail smoothly over.  In a discussion at the starting line, I mentioned  that both of the lines on the first hill were rideable, so I was just going to sit and spin in an easy gear...  It seemed to work out well.  I watched everyone else dismount and run their bike up the hill while I made it up smoothly.   I wish I had passed one girl earlier when I had the chance. Unfortunately, I waited because I knew she'd be faster at climbing and flats than me, but my skills in the single track sections helped me out a lot, and I quickly found out that I would be better off just passing her.  With my slow start, I was able to gain momentum throughout the first lap, and by the second lap, I felt strong and fast.  Lesson learned:  take it easy, because I can certainly muster up the needed effort later on.  I think I could have probably pushed it a little harder earlier than the second lap, but I can't complain.  I wasn't DFL this time, I felt fantastic, and my time on the course was around 15 minutes faster than last year.  Not bad considering the course seemed a little more muddy this time."

Next Race:  Pat's Peak.  It's our first ski-resort race of the season, and the mountain is sure to challenge our CT legs!