By JESS WELCH

For the Express

The Black Fly Challenge will take place this year starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 9. The race alternates its start and end between Inlet and Indian Lake. This year Inlet will be the starting point and Indian Lake will host a post-race party around noon. The award ceremony for the riders will begin at 3 p.m.

What first started as an idea between a few friends to draw more visitors to the area became the bike race named after our favorite Adirondack pest: The Black Fly Challenge. Mike Drake, a founder of the race, used to say that people thought they were nuts.

He and his friends stuck with their idea and it’s thanks to them that we can attend this fun event. It has evolved from its premiere in 1996 with 60 participants to one of the most anticipated biking excursion of the North Country, drawing in hundreds of riders. The race not only connects the towns of Inlet and Indian Lake, but thousands of visitors who get to witness, and join, in this community event.

This year’s 17th annual race will be dedicated to Mike Drake, of Drake’s Inn in Inlet, who was a founder of the Black Fly Challenge and recently passed away. The ride will be in memory of all Mike Drake’s efforts in creating this race and making it one of the  highlights of the Adirondack’s busy season.

Sign up online today or right before the race at Inlet Town Hall and join the Black Fly Challenge crew. Volunteer and helpers are always welcome. Check out their website, blackflychallenge.com, to learn more.