Domnarski Farm 2015
Domnarski Farm, located in Ware MA is one of the quiet Root 66 races that exemplifies what is special about New England XC racing: course variety that kicks your ass as soon as you think you're getting used to what the ground throws at you. It is fast, has a fair amount of sustained climbing, and rewards good bike handlers as well as fast spinners.
The fast 10mile lap starts with a long climb that can be powered up . There isn't much room for recovery at the top before swooping single track takes you through some rideable wet sections. Speaking of wet sections, the muddy chunky bog and stream crossings benefit a rider with good handling skills. If people complain about these mud sections, then they suck or should walk and let others ride - everything is entirely rideable and necessitates that great balance of speed and momentum. There are several (3?) long climbs that hurt a bit, yet the fast chunky wide descents give plenty of time for rejuvenation . The last 1-2 miles is a bomb down to the finish, which is an excellent way to finish... until you get to the swimming pond, which is the real finish.
This past Sunday I raced my single speed in the 30-39 geared CAT1 class (2 laps) , 32x19 gear. After opting for the stupid chunky steep high line on the initial climb where I passed a couple guys bobbling as their gears clinked, I just kept hammering and never looked back. Racing in the geared class I had a clear single speed strategy : win on the hills and let it rip on the descents cause they'll beat me on the flats. What else could I do? I had to go my own pace on the first climb or I'd be behind some dude spinning slowly up the hill. Plus the sound of derailleurs clinking tends to harsh my mellow.
It was a lonely race but I didn’t mind as the forest was familiar and reminiscent of places I learned to ride in Amherst circa 1994 on my Bar Mitzvah Mongoose IBOC. I had a blast. My time was 2nd fasted on the day: 1:50:12. 15 seconds behind Scott Hood, 40-49 cat1 racer, and minutes up on the scant Pro field. This Sunday I'll try the Open/Pro class at Pat's Peak (edit: I got my ass kicked but it was a great course!) before some weekends spent with my family, Big Dummy, and lots of carbs and calories to prep for the next Kenda Cup East race, The Gnar Mystery Venue (edit: Diamond Hill, Cumberland RI) race in early July.
Cash money! 1st in the CAT1 30-39 class. Who needs gears?