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.
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Highlander Century and Extended Metric Century: Follow yellow chevrons on the roads (w/ alternate marking for metric and route-arounds using white and yellow mix of chevrons). 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 2023 Century Map – 2023_Century_Final 2023_Extended Metric_Map – 2023_Ext. Metric _Final Get .gpx or .tcx data here for core Century (101mi/7384′): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41420300 Get .gpx or .tcx data here for Metric Century+ (80 mi./4885′): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41876385 CUE Sheets for all rides here: See gps data. We are no longer printing these out. 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!). Here 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!!!! Italy Turnpike, County House Rd., County Rd. 1, Hicks |
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Highlander GRAVEL This will be our 6th 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. It will be approx. 55 miles/5774′. This will include numerous roads near South Hill. 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: 2023_Gravel_Map – 2023_GravelGrinder Get .gpx or .tcx data here for the Gravel course: Routes · Ride with GPS |
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Highlander Lite See: 2023_Lite_Map – 2023_HCT_Lite Get .gpx or .tcx data here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42052549 |
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MOUNTAINEER UPDATE 2022: The Stid Hill NW section is no longer available due to early hunting season allowances by the DEC. A route around is available as shown here.
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/