BFC 2019 will race from Indian Lake to Inlet on Saturday June 8, and once again BFC registration opens on Groundhog Day! 12:01am Saturday February 2nd… Who’s gonna be the first to get registered?

Check out the BFC Questions, Answers & Rules and BFC Registration Guidelines if you have questions and remember tire width matters: CX tire width must not exceed 40mm. MTB tire width must be at least 1.95″.

Check out the UPDATE to this post.

Bicycle manufacturers have recently released some models that look like a cyclocross bike but in reality are not. With the exception of tire width, Black Fly Challenge follows the UCI specifications for cyclocross bikes, the main distinctions being: 

• A bicycle shall not measure more that 185 cm in length and 50 cm in width overall.
• Wheel diameter may vary between 70 cm maximum and 55 cm minimum, including the tire.
• Wheels shall have at least 12 spokes.
• Weight of the bicycle shall not be less than 6.8 kilograms (15 lbs).
• Disc brakes are allowed.
• UCI’s max tire width is 33 mm (1.3 in) but BFC allows fatter tires, up to 40mm.

If your bike does not fall within these parameters register in the MTB category. Don’t be fooled by drop-bar, rigid frame bikes that look like a cyclocross but have bigger, fatter tires. These bikes don’t meet the UCI specs for cyclocross. Download the full UCI specs here.

Some other Cyclocross commonalities:

• They all have dropbars
• They don’t have any front suspension

Mountain Bikes

• Generally have a tire size of 1.9” or wider
• Have flat handlebars
• Have front and/or rear suspension

When registering for the Black Fly Challenge follow these guidelines…

• What Skill Level do I enter? It’s up to you to decide your skill level:
  CX Cat 1 and MTB 1 categories are for very competitive racers.
  CX Cat 2 and MTB 2 categories are for competitive & recreational racers.
• Women’s Cyclocross:
  If you have previously finished or expect to finish in under 2:45, register CX Cat 1.
  If you have previously finished or expect to finish over 2:45, register in CX Cat 2.
• Men’s Cyclocross:
  If you have previously finished or expect to finish in under 2:30, register CX Cat 1.
  If you have previously finished or expect to finish in over 2:30, register CX Cat 2.
• Women’s MTB:
  If you have previously finished or expect to finish in under 3:15, register MTB 1.
  If you have previously finished or expect to finish in over 3:15, register MTB 2.
• Men’s MTB:
  If you have previously finished or expect to finish in under 3:00, register MTB 1.
  If you have previously finished or expect to finish in over 3:00, register MTB 2.
• Juniors:
  Junior racers register in the Junior CX or Junior MTB category.
• Tandems:
  Tandem competitors register in the Tandem category.
• Fatbikes:
  Register in the MTB category that matches your ability and if your bike fits this Wikipedia definition check the Fatbike box when registering at BikeReg.
• Tire Width: CX tire width must not exceed 40mm. MTB tire width must be at least 1.95″.
• All other bikes: Other bikes may be allowed at the discretion of the Race Director. Send your inquiries to info@blackflychallenge.com

If you need further info visit the FAQs & BFC Rules page.

Once again Screamen Eagle is stepping up to provide the prizes for the Fatbike Challenge. If your fatbike qualifies check ‘Yes’ to the “Are you riding a Fatbike?” registration question at BikeReg. If you already registered you can edit your registration to check the fatbike box. If you can’t figure out how to do that contact BikeReg. Procrastinators can add their bib number to the Fatbike Challenge list at race day registration.

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day – BFC 2018 opens at 12:01am Friday! Who’s gonna be the first to get registered?