Tour Rides

TOUR RIDES

 

THE RIDES

The annual Highlander Cycle Tour consists of several ride options. They are all designed to share common sections and rest stops so that cyclists on different rides can ride together and have common experiences. Tour routes take riders along lake shores, up hill tops with wide vistas, along scenic valleys, and wander through several small towns and hamlets. The Finger Lakes is a wine growing region and the route goes past many vineyards. The Tour is a charity event with proceeds above expenses donated to charities.

SAG stops are frequent and well stocked. Road rides, in addition to detailed maps and cue sheets, are well marked on paved roads with light vehicle traffic and the Mountain bike course has plenty of epic single track with ride guides as well.

Below are brief descriptions of the Highlander Cycle Tour rides with links to more detail.

Highlander Century and Metric Century cut-off
The Highlander Century route for 2018 will visit some terrain not seen since the DB4D days (2010) as we’ll spin down to the shores of Keuka Lake and all points in between. This year’s route will have several surprises in store, including even a short unpaved section to mirror the guys in the Tour de France this year. The ride will also visit the famous Bully Hill Winery after an epic climb. Some of the views up top rival the CR12 Overlook. After a beautiful spin inside the “Y” of Keuka Lake, and the wall at Skyline, the main route tackles the breath-taking, stunning Yoder Hill. You won’t soon forget it.  With dotted-line options for Metric cut-off or less quad-punishing route-around’s, we believe this could be one of the coolest routes we’ve ever designed.  Still not convinced? See below for another new offering. The inaugural Highlander Metric Gravel! Regardless of your fitness or experience, the Highlander will treat you to some of the best riding and vistas in North America. Follow yellow on the map and roads (chevron marks).

See Highlander_Century and Metric cut-off

Get .gpx or .tcx data here for core Century: Highlander Century gps

Get .gpx or .tcx data here for Metric Century: Metric Century Road gps

CUE Sheets for all rides here: HCT2018 cues

 

Highlander GRAVEL Metric

Introducing the newest addition to the Highlander family of rides. This route will combine some of the Century roads but diverge onto some epic unpaved/gravel/dirt roads in the Naples/Cohocton/Prattsburg/South Hill areas. You’ll get the chance to see up close and personal some of the big windmills sitting 2000’+ above Cohocton. Without a doubt this newcomer to the mix will be a hard decision for some. Whether you choose the full Century or the Gravel Metric, you will get your money’s worth. Come explore our newest offering! Note: You’ll want to have at least 28mm wide tires (we recommend 35) and 30 teeth or more on the rear cluster. Tune up on your brakes also recommended. This is going to be one wild ride!

See Highlander_Gravel_Metric_Century

Get .gpx or .tcx data here: HCT Gravel GPS

Highlander Lite
The Lite version of the Highlander will traverse the same early part of the Highlander but turn back for home base in the Cohocton/Naples area for a nice distance of 32 miles. It avoids most of the steepest hills but still brings enough challenge to reward the rider. Enjoy the site of the annual Grape Festival as you pedal thru Naples! Note: For families with young riders, there are  even shorter options of 11 or 16 miles with less climbing, about 400 and 1000 feet respectively. Please see the ride organizers for suggested routes tailored to your own goals.

See  Highlander_Lite

Get .gpx or .tcx data here: Highlander Lite GPS

MOUNTAINEER
For the mountain bike enthusiasts we offer a 40K off-road challenge including climbs up several of the areas 2,000 foot peaks. The ride will be mostly self guided but we may have a few group leaders available to ride with you through spectacular single track and the obligatory mud. We will keep the same course as 2017.

See Mountaineer 2017 Course Directions, OCP Detail Map, Camp Cutler Detail Map, Mtnr._Stid section, Mountaineer_Overall Map.

IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER

The Highlander prides itself on providing a safe, well run, and accommodating event for all participants. The Highlander staff takes the safety of the riders, the spectators, and the communities through which we ride very seriously. To promote this, each rider should have read and follow the NYS DOT cycling guidelines, found here:

Bicycling Safety in New York

If riders do not follow these guidelines, the Highlander may be forced to limit or terminate the ride. Your help and attention to keep the highlander a safe, premium tour is appreciated.