Tour Rides

TOUR RIDES

THE RIDES

The annual Highlander Cycle Tour consists of multiple ride options, ranging in length from as little as 16 to just over 100 miles, and with varying difficulty of climbs. 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 Plus:
The Highlander Century route for 2022 will head to the incredible hills and lakes to the West, traversing a new route never used before. You’ll roll along Baptist Hill after ascending Vincent Hill (never used before). The ride will pass along Conesus Lake, climb Henderson Hill and enjoy the amazing rest stop at Hemlock Lake. Throughout the day you’ll see all 5 of the Western Finger Lakes (4 on the Metric +). Some notable climbs will be East Ave. out of Springwater, Johnson Hill, Luckenbach Hill, Hickory Bottom, and Griesa. Along with the many lakes will be some quaint small towns like Naples, the grape capital of the Finger Lakes. With over 10,000′ of climbing on grades up to 24%, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth. Follow yellow chevrons on the roads (w/ alternate marking for metric and route-arounds using white and yellow mix of chevrons).

See 2022_Century_Map

2022_Metric_Plus_Map

Get .gpx or .tcx data here for core Century: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38407731

Get .gpx or .tcx data here for Metric Century+: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38400031

CUE Sheets for all rides here: See gps data

Highlander GRAVEL

This will be our 5th year of offering a Gravel option. This route will combine some of the Century roads but diverge onto some epic unpaved/gravel/dirt roads in the area. This will include Ganyard, Evert, The Hemlock Lake Trail, Marrowback Road, Canadice Hill Rd., and the epic Wesley Hill. 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 is also recommended. Follow orange chevrons on the road.

See: 2022_Gravel_Map

Get .gpx or .tcx data here for the Gravel course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38400134

Highlander Lite
The Lite version of the Highlander will take a kinder/gentler approach with just a few climbs while maximizing the scenic splendor along the Western side of Honeoye Lake and down into Naples. Total distance of 40 miles. Follow white chevrons on the roads. 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: 2022_Lite_Map

Get .gpx or .tcx data here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38400189

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 NOT BE MARKED and will be self guided but we may have a few group leaders available to ride with you through spectacular single track and the obligatory mud. The course remains the same since 2017 but options abound to the adventurer at heart.

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.

For more good tips on bicycle safety and general rules of the road see here:

https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/bicycle-road-safety/