2013 Fall Epic 8hr Relay @Hardwood Hills Ski and Bike

Not pictured: Adam Herring. 

L-R: Deaner, Cam, Marty, Lamey, ChrissyB

A quick, killer course of mostly single track action was just what the doctor ordered for probably the last Black Fly race of 2013. 

Team Black Fly Racing–The Grey Fly Edition (avg. age 41)–had a fine showing at this year's Fall Epic 8hr Relay. Despite a cloudy and slightly chilly start to the day, we were blessed with sunny skies and toasty temps from late morning onward. 

The course was devoid of any monster climbs or epic drops. Instead, we rode through Switchback City, with one tight twist after another... after another. This was the kind of course that made you question your bar width as there were a few moments where breezing through the trees on the downhills required a bit of reflex. Tight as a grape, as one of us muttered. 

We chased the 3rd spot all day to finish 4th overall out of 24 teams in our class–a decent showing, to be sure, but as Cam put it, we didn't really want to hang around for the podium ceremonies anyway. We finished, as Dean said, where we wanted to.

Cheers brothers, for a fantastic day of racing, rapping, and napping. Word to all Flies abroad–you were missed, as always. 

Fall Epic 8 Hour @ Hardwood Ski and Bike

Black Fly Racing on podium

Chris finishing the last lap for Black Fly Racing 2

It could have been a double podium for Black Fly Racing 1 and 2.
Black Fly 2 had a mechanical which added 12min to their lap, but they worked hard to closed the gap to 4min at the end, earning 4th. Never the less, weather was beautiful even though the forecast was cloudy with a chance of shower.

Fall Epic 8 Hour @ Hardwood Ski and Bike

John Finishing off the last lap for Black Fly Racing 1

Camp site

Transfer Area: Cam just got in, Muller running off with timing chip, Stitt waiting for John.

Stitt and Chris at the starting line for Black Fly Racing 1 & 2

Summer 8hrs

Hardwood Hills. Finally we got hit with crappy weather. After 5 years of near perfect weather during races, the sky opened up on us. It was overcast at the start but as the day continued, it drizzled and then at about 3pm, it poured! You can tell by the pics, how muddy it got. Just a bunch of boys playing in the mud! We had 9 Black Fly's up at Hardwood on two teams and both squads finished in the top-10 under less than ideal conditions. Hopefully we'll have to wait another 5 years for weather like this.


"King of the Mud" socks


A couple of muddy finishers!

Summer 8hrs at Hardwood

July 21, 2007. Hardwood Hills. What a busy summer! That's because the babies haven't arrived yet. We headed up to Hardwood for this 8hr event and like usual it was a beautiful day for racing. Our team for this one was Dean, Jon, Denis, Tony, Fox and Marty and we started off in 3rd and after the teams 5th lap, Foxy and his rental bike put us into second place - where we stayed til the awards. Our 3rd team podium in a row!