The 19th Annual Black Fly Challenge, a mountain bike race between Inlet and Indian Lake, will return on Saturday, June 14, with the 10:30 a.m. start taking place at Inlet’s Arrowhead Park.
Billed as one of the biggest sporting events in the Adirondacks, the race continues to grow each year, said Dave Scranton, a event organizer.
“We drew 578 race entries last year, and have already exceeded that number by a hundred for 2014,” he said.
The race alternates its start each year between Inlet and Indian Lake, which means this year’s finish and post-race festivities will take place at Indian Lake.
Scranton said spectators are encouraged to enjoy the race start at Inlet, before heading up to Indian Lake for live music, barbecue, beverages, and finally the Black Fly Challenge awards ceremony.
Winners will be announced for a number of race classes.
Total purse for this year’s race is well over $8,000.
“The Black Fly Challenge is a one-of-a-kind bike race that draws participants and hundreds of fans from across American,” Scranton said.
Skiing Magazine has ranked the event at Numer One on its list of “Bad-Ass Things to Do” in June.
Additionally, the homegrown event showcases the best of what Inlet has to offer, according to Scranton.
The event has also grown in its sponsorship support, with Epic Outdoors Adventures of Fayetteville coming onboard as a presenter.
“That’s a great association for the Challenge, and also a testament to the its growing reputation in the biking world,” Scranton said.
Also new this year is a Father’s Day event in Inlet, which will make for a true “Black Fly Challenge Weekend” in 2014.
“On Sunday, June 15, Inlet is hosting a day of family fun with our first BFC Mountain Bike Rodeo & Races event to be held at Arrowhead Park,” Scranton said.
This is a gently competitive event for kids that includes three races: A Kids Race, a Hill Climb, and a Circuit Race.
Participants should bring their own bikes.
There will also be Rodeo events, including a Slow Race, a Barrel Race, a Log Pull, a Balance Race, and competition for Longest Wheelie.
Rodeo participants can enter individual events or the whole slate. Points will be awarded for each event to determine an overall winner.
Registration starts at 9 a.m. with events beginning at 10 a.m.
There are entry fees for both Race and Rodeo events, and awards will be presented to the winners, with each Kids Race participant receiving a prize.
Miscellaneous fun will include an ongoing Huffy Toss.
Beverages will be available, along with beer for the dads.
Another addition to the 2014 Black Fly Challenge is a special BFC Weekend package being offered by Great Camp Sagamore.
This includes Friday evening dinner aboard the W.W. Durant, on Raquette Lake.
Also two nights lodging at the historic Sagamore with events geared to racers and fans, including Saturday breakfast and Sunday morning brunch, followed by a Sagamore tour.
More information on Black Fly Challenge Weekend events is available by calling the Inlet Information Office at 315-357-5501 or visiting BlackFlyChallenge.com