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
The Highlander full century returns to its early roots in 2017 and will travel a 100 mile course. The course is designed to maximize challenge and scenic viewing with a perfect mix of hills and flats. For those wishing to reduce the challenge and tackle less of the legendary climbs like Bopple Hill, Gannett Hill, Sliter and Griesa, while maintaining the century distance, there are dotted-line options (shown in green on the map).  Regardless of your fitness or experience, the Highlander will treat you to some of the best riding and vistas in North America.

See 2017_HCT_Course_Map

Highlander Metric

The metric century will follow much of the full century route turning back in Naples (shown as orange on the map) to return back to the original year-one course features. The metric will still bring a tasty amount of challenge and there will be dotted-line options to reduce the challenge while maintaining the course flow.

See 2017_HCT_Course_Map

Highlander Lite
The Lite version of the Highlander will traverse the same early part of the Highlander but turn back for home base at ~ 30 miles. It avoids all the steepest hills but still brings enough challenge to reward the rider. This route is highlighted on the map in blue dashed line.

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 2017_HCT_Course_Map

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 have multiple group leaders available to guide you through spectacular single track and the obligatory mud.

See Mountaineer 2016 Course Directions, OCP Detail Map, Camp Cutler Detail Map, Stid Hill Detail MapMountaineer overivew 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.