Black Fly Challenge – 20th Anniversary

How do you protect yourself in the wilderness from dreaded swarms of flesh eating insects?
Bike really fast through the dead center of the Adirondacks.... 

On June 13, 2015 cyclists from all over the Northeast swarmed to the village of Inlet and Indian Lake, New York. The Black Fly Challenge incorporates disciplines of both cyclocross and mountain biking in one race 40 miles across central Adirondack Park!  Black Fly season was seemingly over and done early this year. Lucky for us but that would not slow down anyone coming to this party.

This is considered a “gravel grinder” which means the race is primarily off road terrain, country dirt roads and double track jeep roads and occasional single track. Choose between several mountain bike divisions or if you prefer, join the open format as a cyclocross rider. These can be long distance, speedy competitive races or more focused on participation being purely recreational for the enjoyment of being in the outdoors and truly meets the best of both worlds category. You can bring your family, group of riding buddies or a seasoned team of riders wanting to lay down a thick smoke screen of dust at blazing speeds, never to be seen again.

Black Fly Challenge Starting Line
Photo by Carolyn Belknap

It all started during a get together among race buddies and our families.  During a social trail run the Black Fly was mentioned in causal conversation along with any other half dozen events that are on the to-do-list.  What! A 40 mile off road ride in the Adirondacks sounded cool enough to check out online.  The seed was planted but I did not sign up.  I was tentative, perhaps a little intimidated by the distance and not knowing if I would be able to even, remotely compete having never previously participated in a gravel grinder.

Long forgotten were thoughts of the Black Fly until a timely Facebook post came across the screen from an old whitewater paddling buddy. One of the New Yorkers I met on the Hudson River Gorge years ago….  There I was, solo in an inflatable ducky on the Indian River 12 years ago welcoming me into their group for the 17 mile river-run down to North Creek. This was too good to be true, the New York crew was going to the Black Fly. This beckoned me and I was called into immediate action and registered to join them for an epic day of riding!

The swarm at the Black Fly Challenge - Ready and waiting to send this thing off!
Members of Just for Giggles Cycling making a cameo in this photo.

I had a modest drive that morning which allowed me to hydrate, fuel up and settle the nerves in anticipation for the event. Arriving into Indian Lake bikers everywhere, warming up, working through the gears and checking equipment with an enormous crowd already gathering at the start. The cyclist parked behind me started pulling out his cyclocross bike and took one look at my whitewater playboat and struck up some conversation. Coincidentally, this paddling pedaller was named Mark as I explained the Hudson River Gorge was the to-do-list on Sunday. He sure would have liked to join me. There is no shortage of outdoor enthusiasts in Adirondack Park, might as well make it a multisport weekend!

Epic Outdoor Adventures is the headline sponsor and they were at the start assisting bikers with last minute adjustments, offering advice and answering questions. It just so happens one of the paddling acquaintances from the New York crew is the owner of that company. No doubt solidifying that this crew just eats up and loves the outdoors in each and every way possible.

Pedals & Petals bike shop in Inlet is the presenting sponsor and is one of the top bike shops in the Northeast. Go check them out for any last minute needs or post ride debacles. I am sure business is booming that weekend.

Mark #120 holding position waiting for his chance to breakaway to post a 2:30:28 Finish!

As you can imagine what it must feel like to start a race with 800+ other cyclists,  the energy in the place is electric!  Typically the cyclocross crazies are out in front as they intend on lighting trails of fire along the course in blazing, record setting speeds... all on 35mm tires!  You also have the Expert MTB division flexing their quad muscles followed by a mix of cyclocross, the Sport MTB class and beginners out for an awesome experience all around. Playing it safe my choice of bike would be MTB and I was riding the 2011 Niner E.M.D.

Casually pushing forward through the sea of cyclists.
Photo by Pat Hendrick

It was an excellent racing opportunity, pacing myself by starting in the middle of the entire pack and "slowly" working my way to up through the ranks. I found a couple people to latch onto but kept pushing forward. I chose a causally competitive game plan, not to burn out too soon "redlining" against seasoned competitors with unknown terrain and hills on the road ahead.  Road support from the local community was outstanding with many locals outside their homes cheering on all the cyclists. Plenty of water "stops" along the way for those needing to take a break or perhaps, snatch some water on the fly.

Strategically launching my "casual" assault on this course!
Photo by Pat Hendrick

Taking every draft opportunity as crowds begin to thin out. Thanks Chris #170.
Photo by Pat Hendrick

I was pulling a small group along a strong stretch of road and someone called out from behind to take lead. This dude was huge on this cyclocross bike and he just powered past me. Some extra effort to hang on for the ride as I knew this guy was a complete monster. Sometimes the advantage of taking a formidable lead out in front on your own power will reap rewards like this one!

Barry from Rochester leading the charge forward!

Barry #125 Climbing Strong!
Photo by Pat Hendrick

Looking back at my Garmin he volunteered to take over quite conveniently when I started to loose some steam. I had clearly dropped from a sustained 19+ for 2 miles carrying the group and dropped to 16.7mph.  That must have been when he shouted out to take the lead.  He surged back up to 19mph rather quickly for the final two miles of road and we left the MTB following directly behind us in the dust. I offered to take over when I felt a loss in his tempo but a sharp turn to the right revealed the beginning of the gravel grind and the longest climb of the day ensued.  I naturally broke away but it was a solid 4 miles of working together that made some difference and he launched me up that climb. The hills can be very demanding on that Clydesdale figure!

Blackfly Challenge - Indian Lake to Inlet, NY - GPS Garmin 310XT

Elevation profile through central Adirondack Park

The course follows the parallel to the Cedar River with the first 18 miles commands 1300ft of gradual elevation gain to a height of 2700ft in elevation and then the ground drops out from under you plummeting on loose dirt some 800 ft over the next 10 miles. The most dangerous aspect is actually the shadows of trees and leafs dancing all around you making it very difficult to negotiate your way down the rocky road. Some racers achieve 40+mph during this stretch. Only managed a meager 36mph max speed but was in "control" yeah, sure I was!

Some of the rocky ares on the course had yellow paint on them and arrows facing down meant to slow down because you were entering either rocky terrain or a steep descent. A week worth of rain was of some concern but course conditions could not have been better.  A little soft once cyclists started chewing up the dry, top layers.

Dancing lights in the wilderness make it difficult to see the threatening "baby head" boulders

The absolute bomber descent takes you into the wild forest of the Moose River Plains. There is this one stretch of almost 3 miles where the terrain is a fine grain sand that sucks the life out of you.. This would normally be an opportunity to tear up some serious miles on the plains but the sand is relentless, absorbing your every attempt at turning over a strong cadence. I was out there all alone with nobody around to work together.  This would have been the perfect opportunity to score a draft.

Cranking out the miles alone on the sand flats of the Moose River Plains Wilderness.

In the final 10 miles an ~900ft elevation gain comes covers half that distance in three short, but sustained ball busting climbs. This is where you have to reach down deep and hope you saved a little effort to push over these helluva speed bumps. Each climb is rewarded with another descent, containing sharp twisting, turns and some fast paced rollers.  Several short and sweet, roller coaster rides!

In the final set of hills before charging into town.  #206 finished less than a minute behind me.
Photo by Pat Hendrick

The final mile before heading into Inlet's Fern Park is a very surprising and welcomed stretch of rolling single track.  Muddy, rooted, water bars, somewhat slopping fall line of single track definitely posed a challenge for many a rider that day.

Final downhill coming out of the 1 mile of single track chasing down another rider!

I recovered all week in preparations for the Black Fly Challenge and came screaming into the finish line on the back wheel of my next target and pulled off 2nd place of 38 in my age group and 16th place of 241 in the Sport Class with a time of 2.27:13. 37th overall of 508 MTB. It was certainly a continuous, just non-stop  40 miles of grinding  hill climbs and speedy, loose descents, sand flats,  single track and fighting off cramps towards the end.…Success!

Black Fly Finish Line Selfie!

It is true, Showtime was the ultimate post race party band, playing music as racers approached the finish line at Fern Park.  They are an incredible live band delivering Pop/Rock/R&B sounds of the 80’s with epic precision; the music reverberated through your soul.  Local firefighters firing up the grill feeding some 800 participants and well over 1000 with volunteers and spectators. The draft beers were flowing too so getting all hopped up was not a problem and the temporary relief to the pesky leg cramp! It was one of the most groovy, social events I have done all year.  A fun event bringing both recreational and competitive riders together in the most primitive backdrops in the entire Northeast.

Did I mention how cool New Yorkers are? An open invite sent me to Utica the evening before where I met another old paddling buddy.  We watched some of the Comets getting whooped by Manchester in the AHL Calder Cup.  Helped me swap the more aggressive trail treads for the fast, low rolling resistance WTB Nine Line's. Thanks Chad!

New Yorker Craig and I celebrating like rock stars!

I made a decision "hiding" from the posse led by Crazy Craigy at the start of the race knowing full well that I would meet and greet them once again the the finish where we could truly spread and share some CHEER! I finally met Craig's better half and he introduced me to some of his outstanding friends.

That monster cyclocross rider was quite unmistakable. Approached him just outside of the food court reminding him of our teamwork on the course. None other than Cyclocross Barry from Rochester!  Overheard he was heading back to Indian Lake to drop off their lady rider. I needed a ride back to Indian Lake and they took my bike along in the pickup. I was like... SCORE! Lots of riders seen making the long cycle back to the starting line. These riders were obviously in training for much longer distance gravel grind pursuits later this season. This was my backup plan but did not need the extra miles planning on river-running the Hudson Gorge the following day. 

Epic Outdoor Adventures showing off some of their sweet rides at the finish line!

Matt's Draft House at the Screaming Eagle in center of Inlet is where the flock of racers congregate following the race. You can even bump elbows with race director Dave Scranton who really knows how to pull together an outstanding event. I met the entire crew back at the Screaming Eagle to replenish the some 2500 calories burnt that day.  Lots of shared stories of everyone's heartful rides and some good old-fashioned trash talking... Good Times!

Big shout-out to all the New Yorkers that always welcome this “chowder-head” into their inner circle. The Black Fly Challenge successfully achieved the 20 year milestone and is probably one of the best "gravel grinds" in the entire Northeast at both distance and logistics making it the perfect event for a beginner as an introduction to this riding format.  Looking forward to letting it “FLY” in the opposite direction next year from Inlet to Indian Lake! The event is always held on the second Saturday in June so mark your calendars for June 11, 2016....

I will be back to get me some Black Fly!

Work Hard, Train Hard, Play Harder!
Mark