If you want a BFC 2018 race tee go to BikeReg and register NOW!
The cutoff for race tees is Monday May 21. If you register after May 21 you will not get a race tee.
Is my bike CX or MTB? Here’s some clarification:
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
BFC 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 Cat1 and MTB Cat1 categories are for very competitive racers.
CX Cat2 and MTB Cat2 categories are for competitive & recreational racers. - Women’s Cyclocross:
If you have previously finished or expect to finish in under 2:45, register CX Cat1.
If you have previously finished or expect to finish over 2:45, register in CX Cat2. - Men’s Cyclocross:
If you have previously finished or expect to finish in under 2:30, register CX Cat1.
If you have previously finished or expect to finish in over 2:30, register CX Cat2. - Women’s MTB:
If you have previously finished or expect to finish in under 3:15, register MTB Cat1.
If you have previously finished or expect to finish in over 3:15, register MTB Cat2. - Men’s MTB:
If you have previously finished or expect to finish in under 3:00, register MTB Cat1.
If you have previously finished or expect to finish in over 3:00, register MTB Cat2. - Juniors:
Junior racers register in the Junior CX or Junior MTB category. - Tandems:
Tandem competitors register in the Tandem category. - 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 [email protected]
If you need further info visit the FAQs & BFC Rules page.
BFC 2018 Registration Opens Tomorrow
Tomorrow is Groundhog Day – BFC 2018 opens at 12:01am Friday! Who’s gonna be the first to get registered?
BFC 2017 Online Registration Ends Thursday 6/8
Online registration at BikeReg.com ends at midnight Thursday June 8. BikeReg is predicting BFC 2017 will be at or near the cap of 1,000 racers when online registration ends. If that’s the case then Friday and Saturday may be packet pickup only, with no in-person registration. So don’t wait, register now!
As of this writing there were less than 30 spots left on the afternoon shuttle. The morning shuttle is sold out. Check out the posts linked below to answer all your BFC questions:
- New to the Black Fly? Start with: FAQs & BFC Rules
- Read about the BIG changes this year: New for BFC 2017
- Should you enter Cat1 or Cat2? Registration Guidelines
- Check out the Prizes page to see the payouts.
- Interested in the Screamen Eagle Fatbike Challenge?
- Edit Your Own Registration or Contact Bike Reg for help.
- View the Event and Shuttle schedule for times and details.
- Visit the BFC Store for Jerseys, Bike Raffle Tickets and more.
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 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!
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!
Register NOW To Guarantee a Race Tee-Shirt
As always, the deadline to register and guarantee yourself a BFC race tee-shirt is a little less than three weeks before race day. Our original race tee-shirt deadline was midnight tonight but we’re extending it to midnight Tuesday May 24. So REGISTER NOW if you want a race tee-shirt!
Anyone that registers after midnight Tuesday will not have a race tee-shirt included in their entry fee. And for those of you that may be confused, your registration includes a cotton race tee-shirt (pictured below) NOT the new Tech Tee.
New for BFC 2016
It has been a year of many changes for the BFC! Most changes dealt with race production but a couple are of interest to the racers:
1) The BFC will be capped at 1,000 entries; and
2) We have a new timing & scoring company.
As some are aware, we have ended our long-term affiliation with YellowJacket Racing. Results will now be produced by Mid-Atlantic Timing out of Philadelphia.
Mid-Atlantic has a sterling reputation and a long history of producing accurate results for bike race using using a double-chip timing method.
The reasons for the race cap are simple – logistics and safety. BFC organizers set the cap to address the concerns of the DEC, DOT, State Police, Hamilton County Sheriff and Hamilton County Emergency Management.
We’ll detail this issue further in a future post.
BFC Online Registration Ends at Midnight Thursday
Register online and save money. Go to Active.com and register now!
Friday pre-race registration & packet pickup is at Pedals & Petals, 9am-9pm.
Saturday race day registration is at Byron Park, 8am-10am.
