America's Original Gravel Grinder • Limited to 1,000 entries
All registration transfers and edits must be completed through BikeReg before 11:59PM, Sunday May 31st. 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. Any transfers not completed through BikeReg must be completed at packet pickup. Proof of transfer, such as email(s) showing transfer agreement, may be required.
BFC racers, friends and fans know that Pedals & Pedals has been the backbone of the North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge for decades and we welcome back our newest Presenting Sponsor, Syracuse Bicycle, for a second year.
While the SB 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.
For over three decades Pedals & Petals has earned customer loyalty by offering honest expertise along with excellent service. Check out Pedals & Petals customer reviews that describe the store and staff as friendly, knowledgeable and professional along with quality products and service.
BFC is honored to have these Presenting Sponsors!
In mid-March BFC Title Sponsor North Country Subaru celebrated its 50th year as a Subaru retailer… Congratulations! (Check out their FB page for some cool old photos.) For a half-century North Country Subaru has been dedicated to helping the communities they serve, as evidenced by their receipt of the Subaru Love Promise Customer and Community Commitment Award. This award only goes to elite Subaru retailers who provide an exceptional customer experience and also demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting their local communities.
North Country Subaru supports dozens of events and organizations annually and this past Winter they teamed up with Tri-County United Way, local schools and social service partners to help give 500+ brand-new winter coats to kids who need them. Last September North Country Subaru donated $7,500.00 plus various school supplies to Jackson Heights Elementary School allowing teachers to provide basic supplies to 15 classrooms for a whole year. And these are just two of their initiatives – there are plenty more.
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!
The North Country Subaru ~ BFC 2026 is sold out. If you’re looking for a registration, remember:
Every year dozens of registrations are transferred. For the few that have issues transferring a registration it’s often because of incorrect or incomplete information. Read the BikeReg transfer instructions here.
See ya in June!
In less that 24 hours BFC 2026 is more than half full.
Don’t wait. Register Now
Registration for the North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge is Now Open!
Then, go to the BFC Store for BFC Jerseys, Tech Tees & Bike Raffle Tickets
Read about What’s New This Year then Register Now at BikeReg.
North Country Subaru ~ BFC 2026 registration opens at 12:01am on Monday February 2nd!
Before you register 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 cyclocross or gravel bike 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.
New Tire Width – Gravel bike category 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.
Not new but important for teams…
Teams – The BikeReg team setup requires the Captain register first, create the team, add the email addresses of all members so they can be invited and then pay for all members upon checkout. That’s just too cumbersome for most of our teams so we have not enabled that feature.
Instead, we allow registrants to Join a Group. With this option a team member can create a (team) group and then direct the other members to join it without having to pay for all members up front. The Team Information box, as shown here, appears directly below the racer profile info on the registration page. The team should coordinate who will create the group and be sure the name is correct.
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 cyclocross or gravel bike 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.
New Tire Width – Gravel bike category 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.
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!
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!
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 from SVE Timing @ Raceroster.com
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!
