North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge
Join us for an amazing bike race!
Saturday, June 14, 2025
2025 Direction: Indian Lake to Inlet
The Black Fly Challenge is a legendary Adirondack bike race held annually on the second Saturday in June. This 40-mile gravel grinder passes through the Adirondack backcountry, traversing the rugged Moose River Plains and continuing along waterways, dirt paths, and rugged trails through dense forest.
Schedule & Details:
Friday, June 13th - Packet Pickup
- 10:00 am - 8:00 pm at Pedals & Petals in Inlet, NY
Saturday, June 14th – RACE DAY!
- 7:30 am – Shuttles Leaves Arrowhead Park for Indian Lake
- 7:30-9:30 am – Packet Pickup, at Byron Park, Indian Lake
- 9:45 am – Official Instructions – Be on the starting line!
- 10:00 am – Race Begins
- 11:30 am – Post-race party begins at Fern Park
- 2:45 pm – Awards Begin
- 3:00 pm – Timing Ends
- 3:00 pm – First Shuttle Leaves Fern Park for Indian Lake
DON’T FORGET – This is a Destination Race!
Bring someone to drive your vehicle to the post-race party in Inlet!!!
The Last Resort Shuttle:
For those unable to arrange transportation there is limited shuttle space available.
Add your Shuttle Reservation to your Registration at BikeReg.com
Before the race: Shuttles leave Arrowhead Park at 7:30 am for packet pickup in Indian Lake.
After the race: Shuttles start leaving Fern Park at 3:00 pm to return to Indian Lake.
Who can enter the Black Fly Challenge?
Whether you’re a serious competitor or an amateur cyclist, a unicyclist, tandem team, mountain biker, or cyclocross rider, the Black Fly Challenge is an adventure that will test your stamina and strength over 40 miles of varying terrain, elevation gains, and quick descents. Expect to ride over dirt, gravel, sand, and around the exposed boulders that are littered throughout the course.
An epic adventure – the history of the Black Fly Challenge
As one of the most popular homegrown Adirondack bike races, the Black Fly Challenge offers an exciting challenge that requires skill with pedals and an appetite for fun and adventure.
The first Black Fly Challenge began as a small biking race in 1996, with a total of 60 competitors. Since then, the Black Fly Challenge has grown exponentially and is now one of northern New York’s most anticipated summer events, with nearly 1,000 participants entering the competition each year and hundreds more gathering to cheer along the course.
Racers should plan to arrive at least one day prior to the event as packet pickup starts at 7:30 a.m. the day of the race in order for everyone to get to the mass start by 9:45 a.m. with a few minutes to spare before the race starts at 10:00 a.m. After the race is over, don’t miss the post-race party and awards ceremony with live music, food, and beer!
For additional information or to register, visit The Black Fly Challenge's official race site.
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