The Morning Shuttle has sold out but there are plenty of spots left on the Afternoon Shuttle. You can reserve your spot when you register or, if you’ve already registered, go back to BikeReg and reserve your spot using the Shuttle Revision Payment, as shown below…
Morning Shuttle Will Sell Out Soon
As of today there are only 17 spots left on the Morning Shuttle. The Afternoon Shuttle has 67 spots left. If you’re already registered and want to add a shuttle to your registration go to BikeReg, scroll down to the Shuttle Revision Payment and purchase the shuttle by using the same name you used to register for the race.
BFC Sponsors Update
The deadline to become a BFC 2017 sponsor or place an ad in the Outdoor Guide is coming soon! Click here to view a pdf of sponsor/advertiser rates & benefits.
The Black Fly Challenge gratefully acknowledges our many loyal sponsors and welcomes some new ones:
Pedals & Petals returns as Presenting Sponsor for BFC 2017 and, as always, home of the Black Fly Challenge.
Black Fly Friends include LOCALadk magazine, Screamen Eagle Pizza (and the Fatbike Challenge) and Walmart. We thank them for their years of support.
Black Fly Fans include returning sponsors Town of Indian Lake, Inlet Area Business Association and Tamarack Cafe & Putterfingers Mini Golf. Welcome new sponsors Adirondack Brewery and Blue Line Brewery!
BFC Web (lodging) Sponsors include Great Camp Sagamore, Marina Motel and Rocky Point Properties.
Please support our cycling-friendly BFC sponsors!
BFC 2017 Bike Raffle ~ Get Your Tickets Now!
This year’s raffle bike is a ‘BFC Edition’ Trek Stache 7, valued at $2,100.00 and complete with BFC logos and the new Trek Care lifetime warranty.
Stache is an all-new species of 29+ mountain bike performance. The wide 3″ tires grip relentlessly, amplifying all the benefits of 29ers, while remarkably short chainstays deliver a fun, lively ride.
Want the capability of a full suspension trail bike in a simple hardtail package, plus the extra benefits of 29+ tires? Then you were born to ride the Stache.
Proceeds from the raffle will go to improving the mountain bike trail systems between Inlet and Indian Lake, including trails used for the BFC. We hope you will purchase tickets and support our efforts to improve your Adirondack trail riding experience.
Drawing will be at BFC Finish Line Party at Inlet’s Fern Park ~ June 10, 2017.
Click Here for Photos, Specs & Tickets
New for BFC 2017
After years of consideration and discussion with veteran racers we’ve made some big changes for BFC 2017…
Categories & Age Classes have been expanded from 35 to 47:
- CX and MTB categories will now be broken down into CX Cat 1, CX Cat 2, MTB 1 & MTB 2.
- Age classes have been expanded to include 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 & 60-99 for all of the above CX & MTB categories.
- Read the Registration Guidelines post to see what category you should register in.
- Screamen Eagle will again sponsor the Fatbike Challenge. Check the Fatbike box when registering at BikeReg.
- Junior & Tandem categories remain the same.
- Odd bikes are still welcome at the discretion of the race director.
A 44% Bigger Purse, Now Over $14,000.00:
- While payouts per age class remain the same the expanded categories & classes, along with special prizes, have increased the overall purse by over $4,300.00!
- Though cats & classes have expanded we will still follow the age-old rule seen at almost all races: Any category and/or age class with less than 5 competitors will be combined with a similar cat/class for the purpose of awarding prizes. Categories & age classes with less than 5 competitors that cannot be combined with a similar cat/class will not receive prizes.
For more info visit the FAQs & BFC Rules page and the BFC Prizes page.
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BFC 2017 Registration Opens Tomorrow
Registration for BFC 2017 opens tomorrow, Thursday February 2 (Groundhog Day) with some big changes that include expanded categories & age classes and a 44% bigger purse! Stay tuned for details.
Registration Guidelines
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 be sure to check the Fatbike box when registering online at BikeReg. Read this post on Fatbikes. - All other bikes: Other bikes may be allowed at the discretion of the Race Director. Send your inquiries to [email protected]
If you need further info visit the FAQs & BFC Rules page.
BFC 2017
We’re planning to open BFC 2017 registration in early February… hope you’re all training hard and having a great Winter!
Last Chance to Order Your BFC 2016 Jersey or Tech Tee
Sunday June 19, is your last chance to order the BFC 2016 Official Jersey and new Tech Tee from Shift Cycle Wear. Check ’em out here at the BFC Store.
BFC 2016 Official Photos
Pat’s pics are posted! Check ’em out here.
History was made at BFC 2016
Black Fly Challenge 2016 was not a washout despite the rains that soaked the start. There were a record 870 registrations and two historical firsts for the BFC:
- Overall Women’s Champion Rosanne Van Dorn, of Lake Placid, became the first person ever to win the title three years in a row.
- Overall Men’s Champion Christopher Welch, of Barneveld, became the first-ever Junior to take home the Champion’s title.
Congratulations to both! Go to the Results Page for more.


Final Race Course Report
The BFC race course was marked on Wednesday and it’s safe to say that the Moose River Plains Road is the smoothest (and therefore fastest) it has ever been, thanks to recent rains and a smart decision by the Hamilton County, Inlet and Indian Lake highway departments.
The town highway departments worked the Plains road until a week before Memorial Day then decided not to touch it ’til after the race. The result is that the vehicular traffic has kicked almost all of the loose rocks off the road making for a smooth and very fast surface.
Hats off to highway superintendents Tracy, Shawn and Jamie for their consideration of the BFC! They truly deserve our thanks for making the road better every year!
Online Registration Ends Thursday Night
Online registration for BFC 2016 ends at 11:45pm Thursday night.
Go to BikeReg and register now!
Pre-race registration & packet pickup is at Pedals & Petals on Friday, 9am-9pm.
Race Day registration & packet pickup is at Inlet Town Hall on Saturday, 8-10am.
For more details go to the Event Schedule page.
BFC Registration Support
The volunteer organization that produces the Black Fly Challenge is super busy this week attending to last minute details so if you need to edit or transfer your registration please contact BikeReg Support
One Week Left to Register Online
BFC 2106 online registration ends on Thursday June 9, at 11:45pm.
Go to BikeReg and register NOW!