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BFC 2026 Registration Opens 2/2, NEW THIS YEAR…

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North Country Subaru ~ Black Fly Challenge 2026 registration opens on BikeReg at 12:01am on Monday February 2nd!

Make sure to read about what’s NEW THIS YEAR…

Category Changes – Cyclocross (CX) is now Gravel Bike. MTB is now MTB/Open. If you’re riding a gravel bike with tire width of 50mm or less, register in the gravel bike categories. All other bikes (except for Tandem and E-MTB) register in MTB/Open. This includes mountain bikes and hybrids.

Tire width – Gravel bike max tire width is now 50mm. The MTB/Open minimum tire width of 1.95″ will no longer be enforced.

Junior Classes Expanded – Junior age classes are now 9-12, 13-15 & 16-18.

Check out Pat’s Pics!

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BFC 2025 racers pics by Pat Hendrick

 

Thanks to All BFC Volunteers & Sponsors!

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The 28th North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge was a great success thanks to our volunteers and sponsors. From stuffing swag bags to sweeping the race course BFC is lucky to have well over 100 volunteers that make the race work.

Thanks also go to all the sponsors that contribute to the race, most notably our major sponsors – North Country Subaru, Pedals & Petals and Syracuse Bicycle.

Please visit all the sponsors listed on the BFC Sponsor page and let theses generous folks know you appreciate what they do for the race. BFC is truly a community event so let’s support the sponsors and communities that support us!

Jersey & Tech Tee Order Deadline is June 22nd!

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Post Race Order Deadline is June 22!

The BFC 2025 Volare Elite Cycling Jersey features Italian fabric construction, advanced ventilation panels to keep you cool, a waterproof  zippered pocket for protection of valuables and an invisible zipper so the graphics look great. It’s available in race, sport and relaxed club cuts.
Click Here to visit the order page and be sure to check out the Sizing Chart before ordering!

 

BFC 2025 Champions & Results

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Full Results from SVE Timing @ Raceroster.com

Congratulations to BFC 2025 Champions!
Women: Lisa Holt (2:09:45)
Men: Dan Timmerman (1:47:48)

Special Prizes
Youngest – Rory Webber – age 10
Oldest – Roger Gocking (again!) – age 82
Farthest – Alex Parulis – Nederland, CO
Largest Team – AFI Adventure Team

Results Link

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Results from SVE Timing @ Raceroster.com

Race Course Report

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Thanks to the Indian Lake and Inlet highway departments the Cedar River-to-Limekiln Road in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest is in good shape and recent rains have made the surface more solid than usual so it should be fast.

The surface varies from loose gravel to hard-packed sand and gravel. The shoulders are soft in some spots, as usual for this time of year. Hazards are marked with paint but there are very few, except for two bridges to beware of and the countless rocks in some areas.

From the Official’s Instructions:

For almost the entire length of the race there is two-way traffic so keep right!

• Don’t get stressed if it seems that you’re in a pack for the first 10 miles – once the hills start it will thin out quickly.
• Race arrows are about every mile and as necessary for turns, hazards, etc.
• The first water station is about 9 miles out and then about every 5 miles after that.
• Pavement ends at about 10 miles.
• At about 12.5 miles the serious hills begin.
• Control your speed on these downhills or you may find your self wrapped around a tree!
• At about 14 miles the race route turns right through the Cedar River gate into the MRRA
• At the Otter Brook intersection (a.k.a. Big T) there will be a right turn and a water station.
• At 31.5 miles you’ll turn right again at Red River. This is the last water station before the finish line! < 7 miles
• You will then begin a gradual climb followed by some long fast downhills.
• At about 35.5 miles is a fast downhill that has a sharp S-turn at the bottom. This is marked by 2 road signs: a right arrow and a Slow sign. You need to keep right so you don’t get hit by oncoming traffic!
• You will exit the MRRA at the Limekiln gate at about 36 miles and turn right, going up & over Limekiln Hill. Again, remember to keep right!
• At the bottom of Limekiln Hill you will turn left into Murdock Trucking and continue straight back between the buildings. At this point you have about 3/4 mile on trails to the finish line.
• The race route goes uphill and into the woods. The trail is in good shape but there are roots and rocks.
• There is a quarter-mile downhill to Fern Park with two sharp right turns right before the finish line. If you’re on a CX bike or have smooth tires be careful on these turns.

Final Notes:

• The timing chips are on your bib number, don’t lose it.
• Anyone crossing the finish line without a helmet will be disqualified.
• Throw all your water bottles & trash straight down on the road! DO NOT throw any bottles or trash off to the side!!!
• A Sweeper Crew follows the race with a truck & trailer for bikes & riders that can’t continue. This is not a Sag Wagon! If you’re picked up by the sweeper you are DNF!
• If you DNF and are not picked up by the Sweeper, please report to the scoring station with your bib number and tell them you did not finish. We must account for every single racer.
• Racing etiquette: If you have to walk your bike keep all the way right and single file! If you’re racing with a group do not spread across the whole road. Leave room on your left to pass!
• Have fun & be safe!

BFC Inlet Finish Parking & Shuttle Info

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Morning Shuttles will be in Arrowhead Park.
Morning Shuttle Parking will be at the grass lot in front of Woods Inn.

Afternoon Shuttles will be at Inlet Community Church. First shuttle will leave about 3pm or when full. Last shuttle leaves about 4pm.

Finish Line & Party are in Fern Park.

General Event Parking will be at Fern Park, Inlet Community Church, the grass lot in front of Woods Inn and downtown Inlet lots. See the parking map below.

Start Location Change – IMPORTANT!

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Due to continuing repairs to the Adirondack Lake Dam we are unable to use Byron Park this year. Instead, BFC 2025 will start from the parking lot between Indian Lake Library and Town Hall. Packet pickup (Sat 7/14, 7:30-9:30am) will be in a tent next to Town Hall. Please see the attached Parking & Staging maps. And spread the word to your fellow racers!
Packet pickup at Pedals & Petals, 10am-8pm Friday 6/13 remains unchanged.

Black Fly Friend & Fan Sponsors

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The North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge would like to thank Screamen Eagle, Inlet Department Store and Pine’s Country Store for being long-time hometown sponsors. And new this year we welcome Inlet Marina and Dude Wipes. 

Offering 50 beers on tap plus a wide selection of pizza, wings, subs, salads and desserts Screamen Eagle has been a favorite among BFC racers, friends and volunteers for decades. Screamen also hosts many community events – including most BFC meetings – and has been a true Black Fly Friend in numerous ways.

Black Fly Fan sponsors Inlet Department Store and Pine’s Country Store provide pallets of water every year for the BFC racers and volunteers and Tim Pine also coordinates the water & spotting stations for the Indian Lake half of the race. Both Tim and his son Noah have raced in the Black Fly multiple times.

And new to the BFC this year are Inlet Marina and Dude Wipes. Both have graciously donated swag for the BFC race bags.

 

BFC Lodging Sponsors

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Make it a Black Fly Weekend! Stay with one of our North Country Subaru ~ Black Fly Challenge Lodging Sponsors:

Rocky Point

Registration Transfer & Edit Deadline June 7th + Event Schedule

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All registration transfers and edits must be completed through BikeReg before 11:59PM, Saturday June 7th. Have questions? Visit the BFC Questions, Answers & Rules page and/or this Transfers post. There may still be transfers available: check out the BFC Strava posts page.

The Indian Lake to Inlet Event Schedule is as follows:

Friday June 13, 10am-8pm: Packet Pickup at Pedals & Petals

Saturday June 14, 2025 – RACE DAY!

  • 7:30am: Shuttle Leaves Inlet’s Arrowhead Park for Indian Lake
  • 7:30-9:30: Packet Pickup
    at Indian Lake American Legion, Rt. 28, Indian Lake
  • 9:45am: Race Official’s Instructions – Be in the staging area!
  • 10:00am: Race Begins
  • 11:30am: Finish Line Party begins at Inlet’s Fern Park
    Food (Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services), beer (featuring a Black FlyPA by Fulton Chain Craft Brewery) and music (Loose Gravel).
  • 2:45pm – Awards Begin
  • 3:00pm – Timing Ends
  • About 3:00pm – First Shuttle (when full) leaves Inlet Community Church for Indian Lake School

DON’T FORGET – The BFC is a Destination Race!
Bring someone to drive your vehicle to the post race party in Inlet!!!

BFC Supporting Sponsors

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The North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge is pleased to announce the addition of Mountain Ice as our newest Supporting Sponsor along with the return electrolyte innovator LMNT.

LMNT’s science-backed formula helps folks get more of the sodium, potassium, and magnesium they need, while omitting sugar, calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals that may not work for everyone. It’s healthful hydration and an easy box to check on your path to health.

How LMNT used science and real-world experience to arrive at their formula is an interesting story. Check it out here.

Mountain Ice works differently than other topical gels. It doesn’t just numb the pain, it treats the inflammation causing pain with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that help treat pain at the source.

Locally created and produced, this non-greasy formula absorbs quickly with natural ingredients that include turmeric root, Arnica Montana flower extract, Tea tree oil, aloe vera, and Vitamin E, along with MSM, Chondroitin, and Camphor.

Find out how Mountain Ice is reinventing the pain relief industry.

 

 

BFC Presenting Sponsors

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BFC racers, fans and friends know that Pedals & Pedals has been the backbone of the North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge for decades. This post spotlights our newest Presenting Sponsor, Syracuse Bicycle.

While their tagline may be “Love Bikes, Love Life” their slogan “Not everyone can ride their bike everywhere, but everyone can ride their bike somewhere” is the guiding principle in both the programs they offer and the community leadership they provide.

Syracuse Bicycle sets the bar high when it comes to an exceptional customer experience. You can even belly up to the bar in their open service area and enjoy a free coffee or espresso while technicians work on your bike!

BFC is honored to have them as a Presenting Sponsor. Please stop into the store at 2540 Erie Blvd East or visit them online. And tell ’em the Black Fly sent you!

BFC’s Title Sponsor

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BFC Title Sponsor North Country Subaru is dedicated to helping the community in a variety of different ways. They see their success as something worth sharing and want to give back to the community that supports their business.

They support dozens of community events and organizations and were recipients of the Subaru Love Promise Customer and Community Commitment Award. The award recognizes elite Subaru retailers who not only provide an exceptional customer experience but also demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting their local communities.

North Country Subaru is also a big supporter of the cycling community, as evidenced by their BFC sponsorship and acquisition of Rick’s Bike Shop, also in Queensbury, where they feature bikes, trainers, joggers, parts, tools, clothing and accessories by all the top brands.

At Rick’s Bike Shop they promise “We have almost everything. If we don’t have it, we’ll get it.” At North Country Subaru their motto is “Cars you can count on. People you can trust.” But that’s more than just a motto, it’s their mission and philosophy. BFC is truly honored to have their support.

Visit their website or stop by the dealership at 616 Quaker Road in Queensbury. And please tell them the Black Fly sent you!

BFC Title Sponsor

Black Fly Challenge is a registered trademark of the Adirondack Mountain Bike Association, part of the
Inlet Area Business Association.

BFC Presented by

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