Bruce's story: Black Fly Challenge

BaseCamp athlete Bruce Bunn shared his experience at the 2025 Black Fly Challenge bike race in New York.

Jan and I both did the Winter BaseCamp this year, spending countless hours on the indoor trainer here in the North Country of New York. This spring we both picked up with personal coaches, and we consolidated our Build and Peak phase training. We really love being part of the growing number of "silver" athletes. I'm a "competer" and Jan became intrigued with the concept of being a "completer" in race events, even though she is really only 3 years now into cycling with any regularity and a first time BaseCamper.

This past Saturday we both participated in the Black Fly Challenge. Wow, what a great celebration of the fitness community in the Northeast! 1000 riders in a sold out event with 2 classes of both MTB and gravel to choose from. From the huge number of volunteers cheering us on, giving water bottles, and keeping us safe to the large number of spectators and participants who hung around to cheer on all finishers and all podium winners.

I took home 2nd in my age group Cx (gravel) Cat 2. Jan took 2nd in her age group in MTB Cat 2. Thanks BaseCamp, not only for the fitness guidance, but also for the playbooks on nutrition, strength, strategy and mental resilience that we both learned from the BaseCamp and our personal coaches. Shared labors and suffering really make for a great community.