Cory Burns, 2012 men’s champion
Hundreds of cyclists are gearing up to compete in the 18th Annual Black Fly Challenge bike race that will begin with a shotgun start in Indian Lake on Saturday, June 8th.
The intense 40-mile race takes riders through the Moose River Recreation Area to the finish line in Inlet. Every year, the Black Fly Challenge brings visitors to the area from across the country, including over 500 racers, their families and friends.
Thanks to Mohawk Valley GIS, this year’s participants can now download a free smart phone application at NYRECWebMap.com that will work without cell phone reception and provide riders with maps and information about their trek.
Last year’s event saw a number of records being broken including the best men’s and women’s finishing times.
Ruth ‘Ruthless’ Sherman, 53, of Spencer, NY set the women’s course record with a time of two hours, one minute and 58 seconds. An ecologist and educator, she is a researcher at Cornell University. She participates in local races—for fun—every weekend from April through November. She will be returning to the Black Fly Challenge this year to defend her title.
With a time of one hour, 47 minutes and 37 seconds, Cory Burns, 29, set the fastest course time on record for the race. He rode most of last year’s race with 2010 champ Dan Timmerman. He completed his first BFC at the age of 18.
Burns, of Watertown, is a loan processor for Watertown Savings Bank. He trains approximately 10 hours a week when he’s not working or spending time with his family. He will also be returning this year to defend his spot as BFC Champion.
Registration for this year’s event will take place at Pedals & Petals in Inlet on Friday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. as well as from 8 to 10 a.m. at Byron Park on Race Day in Indian Lake.
Participants are asked to be ready at the starting line at 10:15 a.m. for the 10:30 a.m. start. There will be a post race party in Inlet’s Fern Park beginning at noon, which will be followed by the awards ceremony at 3 p.m.
