2013 HIGHLANDER CYCLE TOUR WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 6-7, 2013
THE RIDES As most riders were not able to complete the full course in 2012 due to the bad weather, the rides for 2013 will remain unchanged.
The annual Highlander Cycling Tour consists of a series of ride options on a Saturday in mid September. The rides are located in the scenic and hilly Finger Lakes region of upstate New York around the time of wine festivals and the beginning of fall foliage. The ride options include two challenging centuries, a mile and a metric century, a very scenic and less challenging 100 mile century, an off-road mountain ride and an easy set of three courses ranging from 11 to 41 miles to suit a wide range of abilities. Despite the variety of ride routes, they are designed to share common sections 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, usually located on east facing hillsides. The Tour is a charity event with proceeds above expenses donated to charities.
In addition to the Saturday Tour, there are optional time trial events on Friday afternoon; a 5 mile Mountain Prologue Individual Time Trial and a 22 mile Mountain Prologue Team Time Trial.
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.
In addition to our maps and cue sheets we provide links to our routes on Google maps as generated by Bike Route Toaster. This map route site, in addition to a map, cue sheet, and elevation profile, enables riders with GPS units on their bikes to download the routes. You can also download a KML file and use Google Earth for a virtual tour of the ride.
NOTE: Due to road work out of our control, we may have to alter some routes as we approach the day of the event. We will post changes on the web site as we get more information from the road maintenance departments. There may be some last minute changes so please check the white board at the registration area for routes. All changes and warnings will be clearly
marked on the roads.
Below are brief descriptions of the 2013, 14th Highlander Cycle Tour rides with links to more detail.
Quads Hilla Centuries
For those seeking a climbing challenge one of these two rides is for you. The classic Highlander 100 mile century, renamed the Quads Hilla to remind you of what it is about, is back. This retooled challenging century combines most of the climbs of the original Highlander in the Bristol Hills and Canandaigua Lake shores, with some of last years climbs for about 9,000 feet of climbing in 105 miles. Back also with the Quads Hilla is the shorter metric century, renamed the Quad Lite. It follows the the Quads Hilla route on the original climbs for 6,000 feet, skipping the Prattsburg, Italy Valley and Vine Valley sections.
Click here for more details, route map, cue sheet, ride summary, GPS file and Google Earth virtual tour KML file.
Corkscrew Century
We received many accolades last two years for this scenic course and last year the majority of Highlander riders chose this ride so we made no changes to this ride. You might want to bring a camera to save some of the scenic views if not a wine glass and stop along the way. In keeping with objective of this ride, it features the scenic beauty of the Finger Lakes while taking the gentlest route possible in this hilly terrain. It is a 100 mile ride, with a cumulative climb of about 6000 feet but nothing above 10%. You can also take shorter 70 mile option.
Click here for more details, route map, cue sheet, ride summary, GPS file and Google Earth virtual tour KML file.
Yodeler
The Yodeler was redesigned last year with two objectives in mind. To provide a sample of cycling in the Finger Lakes to the recreational cyclist not ready for a century ride and to provide friends and relatives of the century riders the option to ride the last five miles together.
The Yodeler Tour has three route options
that meander the Bristol Valley and Canandaigua Lake scene. The full 41 mile ride involves 2200 feet of climbing, with shorter options of 11 or 16 miles with less climbing, about 400 and 1000 feet respectively. They all have the Scenic Overlook rest stop on County Route 12 on their routes, with a great view of Canandaigua Lake as seen on our home page. At the rest stop the riders can meet up the century riders and ride together the last five miles. We’ve packaged as much vista and flat terrain as possible in these short but sweet rides. With just enough challenge to create that mountain-top experience, you’re sure to come away singing. Riders will enjoy the same amenities and many of the same scenic views as the longer riders.
MOUNTAINEER
For the mountain bike enthusiasts we offer a 30+ mile off-road challenge featuring 7,000 feet of climbing, including climbs up all of the areas 2,000 foot peaks. With renewed vigor and attention, the course will be well-marked and exciting with epic climbs, descents, and single track with the obligatory mud. The course will include exciting terrain on Bristol Mountain Ski Resort.
PROLOGUE TIME TRIAL
On Friday we offer the classic 5 mile Individual Mountain Time Trial which features a gut wrenching 800 foot climb in the last mile.
