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. The routes change every year in the Tour de France style/tradition, where we visit different topography along the way. The routes 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 routes typically go past many vineyards. The Tour is also a charity event with proceeds above expenses donated to charities.
SAG stops are strategically placed and well stocked, often at truly scenic stops or venues (e.g. wineries). 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 (self-guided).
Below are brief descriptions of the Highlander Cycle Tour rides with links to more detail.
Highlander Century: ROAD MARKINGS: Follow yellow chevrons on the roads for Highlander Century. We recommend that your rear cluster has at least a 32-tooth sprocket. Compact gear sets work really well given some of the steep ascents (typically that means a 50/34 teeth on front cogs and 11-32 range on rear cluster). See 2024 Century Map – 2024_HCT 25 Highlander Century Get .gpx or .tcx data here for Highlander Century+ (110mi/10160′): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44569744 CUE Sheets here: We highly suggest having a bike computer or downloaded .gps files to your phone. Some of the area we ride in is poor in cell coverage. If you want though, feel free to print your own copy at links below or the map above. Cues CENTURY – coming KOM CHALLENGE: new from 2022 and on, we are partnering with 4 local bike shops to sponsor prizes to the best times up the hills (more $ if it’s a true KOM!). Below are the hills and the STRAVA links which we will use to manage this. It goes without saying that E-Bikes are not allowed. You can click on each link and “Star” the segment so it becomes live on your computer when you hit the hill. Now CLIMB STRONG!!!! TBD Lowlander Century: See 2024 Lowlander Century Map – 2024_HCT 25 Lowlander Get .gpx or .tcx data here for Highlander Century+ (107mi/4921′): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44637675 |
Highlander GRAVEL 2024 will be our 7th 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 south of Naples and in/around Cohocton. It will be approx. 72 miles/6776′. You will get up close and personal with the mountain-top windmills. You’ll want to have at least 33 mm wide tires (we recommend 35 or bigger) and 32 teeth or more on the rear cluster. Tune up on your brakes is also recommended. Follow orange chevrons on the road. See: 2024_Gravel_Map – 2024_HCT 25 Gravel Get .gpx or .tcx data here for the Gravel course: Routes · Ride with GPS Cue Sheet here: TBD |
Highlander Lite See: 2024_Lite_Map – 2024_HCT 25 Lite Get .gpx or .tcx data here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44918978 Cue sheet here: TBD |
MOUNTAINEER See Mountaineer 2017 Course Directions, OCP Detail Map, Camp Cutler Detail 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:
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/
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