The Morning Shuttle is sold out. There are still plenty of spots left on the Afternoon Shuttle, available at BikeReg.com
BFC Welcomes Trampoline as Presenting Sponsor
Black Fly Challenge is pleased to announce that Trampoline Advertising & Design Co. of Glens Falls has joined Pedals & Petals as a BFC Presenting Sponsor. Trampoline originally came on board a couple years ago as a Black Fly Friend and immediately went above and beyond their sponsorship level.
Creative Director Derek Slayton offered the expertise of the Trampoline team to assist with the Black Fly’s branding and marketing goals. Trampoline designed the BFC race tees for 2017 using the classic BFC “mean fly” logo and introduced the cool new “Tramp fly” logo in 2018, which appeared on the race tees, race plates and some BFC merchandise.
For 2019 Trampoline assisted with the BFC Official Jersey and Tech Tee designs and branding BFC tents, banners and a more extensive line of BFC merchandise that will be rolling out soon. Trampoline is also transitioning the BFC’s Central Adirondack Outdoor Guide from black & white newsprint to the new On The Fly full-color magazine in both print and digital formats.
Trampoline is completely onboard with with the Black Fly Challenge philosophy of making the race better for the racers, fans, sponsors and volunteers as well as giving back to the communities that make the race possible. Black Fly Challenge could not be more appreciative or impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the Trampoline team and the direction of this new partnership.
Don’t forget to visit The BFC Store, check out the cool new stuff that’s coming soon and get your Black Fly on! Get your BFC Jersey or Tech Tee delivered to you!
If you missed the deadline for race day pickup you can still get a BFC 2019 Jersey or Tech Tee… The order deadline for home delivery is June 17.
Click Here to Order Now.
Make it a BFC Weekend!
Stay with one of our Lodging Sponsors
Ask about special rates and transportation for BFC racers
BFC 2019 Jersey & Tech Tee – Order NOW for Race Day Pickup!
The ordering deadline for race day pickup of your BFC 2019 jersey or tech tee is Friday May 4th.
Go to Shift Cycle Wear and order now!
BFC Donates $10,000.00 to Emergency Services Tower Fund
In keeping with part of its mission the Black Fly Challenge ~ Adirondack Gravel Grinder reinvests race proceeds back into the local communities that make the race possible. Community reinvestment for 2018 will total more than $65,000.00 in new donations and dedications to local organizations, projects and funds for Indian Lake, Inlet and the surrounding communities. Check out the BFC Gives tag for the full list.
EMS and traffic control are critical components of race safety. Black Fly Challenge has donated thousands of dollars for ham radio equipment to bolster the BFC radio network and improve race safety but our local police, fire, EMS and DEC agencies are still hampered by an outdated, substandard radio network. Unfortunately, the County 911 Center’s response to our radio transmissions is often “Can you repeat that… you’re totally unreadable.”
The need for an improved emergency services communications network is real and the proposed Inlet Emergency Communications Tower is the solution. It will greatly improve safety not only for the race but for the residents and visitors of two counties, three towns and five hamlets. Accordingly, Black Fly Challenge has donated $10,000.00 to the project.
Race day staffing requires over 100 volunteers – and that doesn’t include the two fire departments, three ambulance corps and multiple police agencies involved. Safety is imperative. Our communities take pride in putting on a great event for BFC racers and fans. Black Fly Challenge is grateful for the opportunity to repay that dedication.
Visit AdirondackTower.org to find out more and donate.
The 24th annual Black Fly Challenge is Saturday June 8, 2019.
BFC 2019 Jersey, Tech Tee & Raffle Bike
Check ’em out at the BFC Store!
BFC 2019 Registration Opens Saturday
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″.
BFC Gives Back to Community – 2018
In keeping with part of its mission the Black Fly Challenge ~ Adirondack Gravel Grinder reinvests race proceeds back into the local communities that make the race possible. Last year BFC announced donations and dedications to local organizations, projects and funds totaling more than $30,000.00 for 2016 and 2017.
Black Fly Challenge community reinvestment for 2018 will total more than $65,000.00 in new donations and dedications to local organizations, projects and funds for Indian Lake, Inlet and the surrounding communities:
A Local Trails Improvement Fund was created as part of the Black Fly Challenge mission is to promote, maintain and preserve local multi-use recreational trails and $20,000.00 was dedicated to establish that fund. In addition, $10,000.00 was dedicated to establish a Local Trails Sustainability Fund.
Black Fly Challenge has previously donated thousands of dollars for ham radio equipment to bolster the BFC radio network and improve race safety. The proposed Inlet Emergency Communications Tower will greatly improve safety not only for the race but for two counties, three towns and five hamlets. Accordingly, $10,000.00 has been dedicated to that project.
Last year the Indian Lake Projects Fund and Inlet Projects Fund were created and seeded with $5,000.00 each. These funds are for local recreational projects that may need financial assistance. For 2018, another $5,000.00 was dedicated to each fund. Currently there is a $10,000.00 balance for each fund.
Indian Lake Volunteer Fire Department received a $5,484.00 check on race day for feeding hungry BFC racers, spectators and volunteers. Likewise, Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services (IVES) will see a similar payment for doing the food at BFC 2019.
Traffic control and EMS are critical components of race safety. Indian Lake Ambulance, Inlet Ambulance, Blue Mountain Lake Ambulance and Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services were given a total of $4,400.00 for EMS and traffic control.
In June the inaugural Black Fly Scholarships were awarded, $500.00 each, to seniors from Indian Lake School and Town of Webb School (Sydney Benton and Emily Greene, respectively) and Indian Lake School awarded the first-ever Black Fly Award to one student (Kristina Oliver) based on the outstanding quality of her work. This $300.00 annual award is provided to Indian Lake School as thanks for the use of the school when the race ends in Indian Lake.
Other organizations receiving BFC support in 2018 include: Kiwanis of the Central Adirondacks ($1,500); Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce ($1,100); St. Mary’s Church of Indian Lake ($600); and HASCA ($1,000).
Not included in these donations and dedications is the Inlet Area Business Association, the parent organization of Black Fly Challenge. BFC picks up the tab for IABA’s insurance because a significant portion of the premium is related to the race.
Giving so much back to the community may seem impressive but it wouldn’t be possible without the outstanding contributions of the communities themselves. Race day staffing requires over 100 volunteers – and that doesn’t include the two fire departments, three ambulance corps and multiple police agencies involved!
Our communities take pride in putting on a great event for BFC racers and fans. In this season of giving, Black Fly Challenge is grateful for the opportunity to repay that dedication – and the tradition of giving back will continue. #bfcgives
The 24th annual Black Fly Challenge is Saturday June 8, 2019.
Cycle Adirondacks Visits BFC Country
Cycle Adirondacks is bringing their flagship event, The Ultimate Cycling Vacation, to Inlet to spend two days and nights at Fern Park and YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN IN THE FUN this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday!
The Ultimate Cycling Vacation is a high-end supported tour that takes a new route every year and the Cycle Adirondacks crew wants the host communities to be a part of the fun.
This means Inlet community members (and visitors) are welcome to enjoy the free entertainment and educational programs, take a stroll (or ride) through the Cycle Adirondacks encampment to chat with the touring cyclists, crew and volunteers and even join in the daily yoga sessions.
If you’re in the Inlet area on Monday, Tuesday and/or Wednesday morning PLEASE JOIN US! The full schedule is on CycleAdirondacks.com (scroll waaay down) but here are the Inlet highlights:
All activities are in Fern Park unless otherwise noted.
Monday, August 20
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Riders arrive at Fern Park
3-4 p.m. Chair Massage
4-5 p.m. Yoga
4:30 p.m. ADK Educational Program in Beer Garden (@ Woods Inn)
5:00-7:00 p.m. Doug Green performs at Fern Park
6:15 p.m. Event Announcements at Dinner Service
7-9 p.m. Entertainment at Beer Garden by Storyteller Mitch Lee (@ Woods Inn)
Tuesday, Aug. 21
6:30-7 a.m. Yoga
3-4 p.m. Chair Massage
4-5 p.m. Yoga
4:30 p.m. ADK Educational Program in Beer Garden (@ Woods Inn)
6:15 p.m. Event Announcements at Dinner Service
7-9 p.m. Entertainment at Beer Garden – Gwen Tracy Band (@ Woods Inn)
Wednesday, Aug. 22
6:30-7 a.m. Yoga
7-9 a.m. Riders Depart For Next Community
Inaugural BFC Scholarship & Award Winners
In June the Black Fly Challenge awarded the inaugural Black Fly Scholarships to seniors from Indian Lake School and Town of Webb School (which is where Inlet kids attend high school after graduating from Inlet’s K-6, four-room schoolhouse!)
In addition, Indian Lake School awarded the first-ever Black Fly Award to one student based on the outstanding quality of their work. This annual award is provided to Indian Lake School as thanks for the use of the school every other year.
In keeping with the part of the BFC Mission to reinvest in our communities the Black Fly Challenge race committee is proud to provide these annual scholarships and awards.
The Black Fly 2018 Scholarship winners were Emily Greene, of Old Forge, and Sydney Benton, of Indian Lake. Each received a $500.00 check.
The Indian Lake School Black Fly 2018 Award winner was Kristina Oliver. She received a $300.00 store credit that can be used at Pedals & Petals Bike Shop or McCauley Mountain Ski Shop.
In addition to these annual scholarships and awards Black Fly Challenge will announce later this year, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the recipients of our annual community reinvestment donations.
You can support these efforts by purchasing something from the variety of trademark BFC merchandise the BFC Store. And while you’re there don’t forget to check out the BFC-edition Waheela S Comp Raffle Bike! The winner of this all-new $2,000.00 adventure bike will be drawn October 6, 2018 at the Pedals & Petals Breast Cancer Awareness Ride.
Right: Black Fly 2018 Scholarship winner Sydney Benton (L) and Black Fly 2018 Award winner Kristina Oliver (R).
#bfcgives
The Biggest Black Fly Yet!
BFC 2018 didn’t set any timing records but it was a perfect day for racing and saw record numbers for entries, starters, finishers, finish line party and another record that may never be broken.
There were 914 registration, 843 starters and 835 finishers, all record numbers but the biggest number of the day was the 6,570 miles between Indian Lake, NY and furthest-finisher winner Koki Gada’s hometown of Yokahama, Japan!
There were an estimated 2,500 racers and fans at the finish line party cheering on racers in front of Indian Lake School and enjoying the party in back of St. Mary’s Church.
Indian Lake Fire Department fed an estimated 1,000+ racers & spectators and the beer tent was constantly busy while Rocky and the Mooseknuckles performed their signature blend of rockin’ blues.
As always, the BFC race committee will meet soon to review everything and find areas where we can improve the experience for all BFC racers, fans and volunteers.
Lastly, we need to thank Indian Lake School, St. Mary’s Church and the legion of volunteers, police, fire and EMS that make this race possible. Without them there would be no Black Fly Challenge!
These dedicated people along with our loyal racers and fans are the reason this is The Adirondacks’ Greatest Race.
A sea of bikes at the start of BFC 2018. Photos by Brad Fox.
Check Out Pat’s BFC 2018 Pics!
BFC 2018 Results – Updated
Congratulations to Bryna Blanchard for defending her BFC 2017 title with back-to-back wins and to Kevin Bouchard-Hall for getting his first BFC title 20 years after his last BFC race!
Click here for searchable results by Mid-Atlantic Timing
Downloads: Overall pdf • Cat & Age Class • Fatbikes
Youngest: Jake Hael, age 9
Oldest: Bruce Prendergast, age 81
Furthest: Koki Gada, Yokahama, Japan
Biggest Team: R-Cubed
Raffle Bike Winner: Patrick Quinn of Milford, NH
BFC 2018 Live Results
Follow the BFC 2018 action live from anywhere!
BFC 2018 Live Searchable Results
by Mid-Atlantic Timing
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