CORKSCREW CENTURY TOUR
Suggested Group Start: 7:30 AM
The original Lowlander Century, has gained a popular following in the Highlander weekend tour. Renamed the Corkscrew Century this year, it is an incredibly scenic century for the rider who enjoys a challenge but not necessarily as much vertical and steep climbing as the DB4D or QHT. The revised Lowlander/Corkscrew Century has over 5100 feet of climbing in 100 miles but eliminates steepest climbs of the other rides. There are 5 five rest stops/aid stations located an average 20 miles apart, well stocked with drinks and quick food, and most have toilet facilities. For those running late or wishing a shorter tour, route options of 70 and 80 miles are available and marked on the map. The routes are patrolled by SAG wagons in case of mechanical problems.
The suggested ride time is 7-8 hours. The route is marked by white chevrons on the pavement. Where it deviates from the Yodeler (also marked with white shevrons) it is indicated with a "C".
Open and print the two page PDF route map and cue sheet to bring with you. We will have only a limited number of maps available at registration, so it is important that you bring your own copies.
If you ride with a GPS unit, you can download the route to your GPS and can ride without fussing with maps or cue sheets. Go to this Bike Route Toaster site and follow the directions for downloading the gpx file. Another useful Bike Route Toaster feature is a Google Earth KML route document that you can use to do a virtual tour.
Road Conditions
Co Rt 33 has been chip sealed but is in rideable condition except for some lose stone on the shoulders. Co Rt 34 is being resurfaced from NY 64 to Co Rt 33, and a short section over a culvert may not be completed by the event but is passable with alternating one lane. West Avenue has been chip sealed but is in rideable condition. NY 54A (Branchport to Pepper Rd) has been resurfaced and in excellent condition. There is a very short section, 1/4 mile, chip sealed on West Valley Rd.
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Highlander Tour riders
Click on these images for larger aerial views
of the Corkscrew Century route.
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Tour Description
Designed to emphasize the views and the flats as much as possible, this tour takes riders along three lake shores, up hill tops with wide vistas, along scenic valleys, and wanders through several quaint towns and hamlets. The Finger Lakes is a wine growing region and the route goes past many vineyards, usually located on east facing hillsides.
The revised route starts south on NY 64, goes through the valleys of West Hollow and down Gulick to Hunt Hollow. Then climbs up French Hill and though a quiet countryside on Garlinghouse to the village of Atlanta. From Atlanta the route follows a fertile valley east toward the Genesee Expresway, it is quite flat with rare traffic an ideal section for a fast pace line to make up time, before heading south past Loon Lake, with a rest stop at the 27 mile point on NY 21.
The route continues south, climbing on NY-21, to Neils Creek road, which follows a gently descending and wandering valley, and crosses the expresway at the hamlet of Wallace. From Wallace the route continues north on West Creek Rd (County Rd 7) to Prattsburg. Although it is a climb up the creek valley to the highest point on the tour, it is so gentle, you never notice it over the 10 mile distance before descending into Prattsburg. It is similar to Twelve Mile Creek Rd climb of 2009 Lowlander, another favorite valley ride of the local riders. At 52 miles, Prattsburg is the second rest stop. Here you have the option, especially if you are running late, to take a 70 mile cut by picking up NY-53 north which takes you down to Naples. It is an exhilirating coast down, but take care to control your speed as the road twists approaching Naples and there is traffic.
From Prattsburg, the century descends north-east toward the town of Italy, then heads east with an exhilirating descend on a smooth, recently resurfaced road to Branchport and Keuka Lake. Alternatively, by continuing north-east to the town of Friend provides an 80 mile tour.
From Branchport the route continues to Keuka State Park on the West Branch Keuka Lake and rest stop at the 62 mile point. A short loop up to Skyline Drive offers a wide vista of Keuka Lake and surrounding hills. Good spot to stop and take photos if you brought a camera. From the park the route heads north on the scenic East Valley road and up Guyanoga valley. After a short steep climb on Friend Hill Rd, the route goes through the hamlets of Friend and Potter before heading west to Middlesex. After a rest stop at 82 miles near Middlesex, the route follows another quiet valley road, West Ave., and on NY 245 to Naples.
From Naples the course climbs up county road 12, the tour's last big climb which is rewarded by the scenic vista of Canandaguia Lake, its valley and surrounding hills at the last rest stop located on a scenic overlook. Another good place to take photos.
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