LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk | Bike Black Fly Challenge by Anne Brewer C ome to the Adirondacks this June as the towns of Inlet and Indian Lake get ready to stage a 40 mile mountain bike race that Skiing magazine lists as its #1 "Bad Ass thing to do in June." Cycle enthusiasts from all walks of life race on a course that traverses the rugged Moose River Recreation Areas' unpaved mountain roads composed of dirt, gravel, sand, and exposed boulders, all in the middle of the thickest part of Black Fly season. That's right, when those pesky little flies are at their hungriest, over 300 racers on everything from cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes, unicycles, and tandems push off in a mass start as they begin the one way course. The course Photo by: Tim Homes changes direction each year, and, since 2013 is an odd year, we will see racers heading south out of Indian Lake and cross the finish line in the town of Inlet. The race was started in 1996 with a total of 60 riders, growing to 238 by its third year. The concept for the race was created by a few Inlet locals, who, over a couple of cold beers, thought a mountain bike race would be a fun time and a way to bring more visitors into the town. Sixteen years and thousands of itchy bites later, it turns out they were right. The course does not claim to be technically challenging in the eyes of a serious mountain biker and to a road racer, 40 miles is a mere warm up. It's the kind of event that is accessible to many different levels of competitors; serious racers, expert riders, wild adventurers, and those who are happy to feel victory in just crossing the finish line. Braving the deep woods in June is something that most locals would not do, but the Black Fly Challenge has thrived despite the odds. The race continues to draw a diverse crowd that comes back year after year on the second Saturday in June. Starting from Byron Park the course heads south on Route 28 and left onto Cedar River Road. It then enters the Moose River Recreation Area then up, down, and around several mountains before descending to a long flat, stretch along the Moose River. There is another climb and descent, then the home stretch along the Limekiln Road and ending in Inlet's Fern Park. u Black Fly Challenge Race Info To register, visit www.blackflychallenge.com for a direct link to active.com. Registration fee is $35 online or $40 the day of the race. There is also an optional shuttle fee of $15 since this is a destination race. Friday June 7th is Pre Race Registration from 9a-9p at Pedals and Petals, Route 28 in downtown Inlet. Saturday June 8th is RACE DAY Prizes are awarded for the top 3 finishers in each category with an overall available purse at $8,235.00 Photo by: Carolyn Belknap LOCALadk Magazine Spring 2013 29

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