Trish's story: Black Fly Challenge

BaseCamp athlete Trish Vantucci shared her experience at the 2026 Black Fly Challenge gravel bike race in New York.

The Black Fly Challenge is America's Original Gravel Grinder that sells out quickly every year and is limited to 1000 riders. It is a point-to-point race that runs one way during the even years and the opposite way the odd years. I have probably done this race for the last 13 years and have loved it every year.

It was a beautiful day, and while I was definitely not in the shape I would have liked to be in, I thoroughly enjoyed this race. There were other BaseCampers there, as well, which was really cool to see, because it was easy to spot the beautiful kits in the crowd. Nancy Mizak (who introduced me to BaseCamp) and I have done this race together the last 2 years. I don't know anyone who represents BaseCamp better than Nancy!! We were able to be on the podium together this year, which was simply amazing!!