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 2019 will again visit some terrain not seen in nearly 15 years as we’ll spin largely to the west. This year’s route will have several surprises in store, including a never before ascended jaunt up Stid Hill. The ride will also return to the infamous Bopple Hill and Gannett Hill, back-to-back. For sure the first 25 will be the test. You’ll then wander along multiple lake shores throughout the rest of the day on beautiful back roads with little to no traffic. With dotted-line options for Metric cut-off or less quad-punishing route-around’s, we believe this will be one of the best routes we’ve ever designed. Regardless of your fitness or experience, the Highlander will treat you to some of the best riding and vistas in North America. Follow yellow chevrons on the roads (w/ alternate marking for metric and route-arounds using white and yellow mix of chevrons).

See 2019_Century_MC_Map_Final

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

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

CUE Sheets for all rides here: See gps data

Highlander GRAVEL Metric

This will be our 2nd 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 going up & over the Dugway which will allow a chance to join the roadies up Bopple & Gannett. With forays over to Harriett Hollister Park and points in between, the rider is sure to discover some stuff never ridden before in Highlander Lore. 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. Follow orange chevrons on the road.

See: 2019_Gravel_Map_Final

Get .gpx or .tcx data here for core Century: Highlander 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 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! 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: 2019_HTC_Lite_Map

Get .gpx or .tcx data here: Highlander Lite

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. 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.