“This is likely the only place in the world where the mass start of over 300 racers encompasses people on cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes, unicycles, tandems, and even something I’ve never seen before or even know the name of – a bike like a tandem, but with three riders instead of two. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a pogo stick somewhere in the melee. Saying it was beautiful bicycle chaos would be an understatement…
This race reminded me why I ride bikes in the first place – its a blast.”
> read the rest of this post by Eric Schillinger in the Albany Times-Union Bike Blog
This is a sticky post – the latest BFC news follows below…
The Black Fly Challenge race committee has increased the cash and merchandise prize values by more than $3,000.00 for 2012, bringing the total purse to $6,450.00 – nearly double the old purse! Check it out on the Prizes page.
BFC 2012 Registration Page Notes:
- Registration will be online until June 7th.
- Register by May 26 if you want a race tee-shirt.
- Pre-Race/Race Day registration: June 8 & 9.
- Minors must print the BFC/Active.com Waiver and bring it to pre-race or race day registration.
The Black Fly Challenge race committee was busy in the last few months of 2011, establishing two new partnerships, moving registration online to Active.com and increasing the cash & merchandise prizes for a bigger overall purse.
The Adirondack Mountain Bike Association (AMBA), producer of the BFC, will now partner with the Inlet Area Business Association and Adirondack Special Events to produce, promote and market the BFC. YellowJacket Racing will return to do electronic timing & scoring.
BFC registration has been set up at Active.com and will go live in early January 2012 – and the BFC purse will be substantially increased. Check back in 2012 for registration and purse details!
Before you bike the byways of the Adirondack North Country, check out this great new website, BiketheByways.org
> by Adirondack Velo Club
> by BiketheByways.org
> by Team Ommegang
> by Runners World
> by Ski = MC2
I don’t know how we missed this one last year but it’s funny enough to still post…
> by Syracuse Examiner
…
A few photos and a video from Black Fly Challenge 2011. Click “Read more” to see the photos…
Read more…
Thanks to their video backup system YellowJacket Racing was able to thoroughly review the finish line and update the BFC 2011 results to include 2 more finishers. Download the updated pdf’s on the Results page.
These will likely be the final numbers: 390 entries; 357 starters; 346 finishers; 11 DNF; 0 DQ; 1 EMS call.
Photos and race reports are flowing in. We will post them soon!
The 2011 Black Fly certainly presented many challenges. Washouts on the Moose River Plains road created logistical problems for organizers. Race day rain made the course so soggy one rider described it as “peanut butter roads.”
There is no doubt this was the toughest BFC in recent years. It will stand alongside the 1998 BFC as a wildly memorable experience, as evidenced by this Facebook photo of racers dragging a tree out of Route 28 just to get to the start in Indian Lake!
This comment on the Black Fly Buzz page sums it up nicely:
“What a great Race this year! My third time, and I’ve never seen conditions so horrible.
However, the racers all had wonderful attitudes despite the conditions – supportive of one another, and helpful. Really fun to be around!
Most importantly, sincere thanks and awe need to go out to the volunteers – standing in the rain with bugs everywhere, to help us all along our way. You guys are *GREAT*!!!”
Random Notes
- For the second straight year the race grew by 45 entries.
- For the second straight year the race started in the pouring rain.
- Numbers so far: 390 entries, 344 finishers, 2 tandems, 1 unicycle, 1 EMS call and reportedly several bikes involved in a wild pile up on Cedar River Road.
Congratulations to the 2011 top finishers:
men: Robert Douglas, time: 2:15:30
women: Liz Lukowski, time: 2:57:08
go to the Results page for Top Finishers & Overall pdf downloads
What a wild year this was for BFC competitors! Race reports to follow.
In general the race course from Indian Lake to Inlet is in very good shape but there is an 8+ mile stretch beginning at the Cedar River gate which could be hazardous for racers that do not exercise due caution.
Cautious racers will likely have no problems. However, racers that try to blast through this rough section to advance their position may be injured, disqualified or both.
We are not kidding about this. If ever there was a year and a section of race course that required caution and consideration of others, this is it.
Read the Safety Talk & Official’s Instructions for more details.
