REGISTRATION

PRICE PERIOD GRAN & MEDIO PICCOLO
Until January 10, 2025$150$95
Jan 11 - Apr 2, 2025$160$105
Apr 3 - May 18, 2025$170$115
May 19 - May 28, 2025$190$135
May 29 - On-site$200$145
 
 

Event Jersey INCLUDED!

Sign up by May 6, 2025 (26 days before event) and receive a custom pro-level jersey crafted by Suarez Clothing! The design shown is from 2024 and we’ll update when the 2025 designs are ready.

 
 

EVENT FEATURES

 
 

3 Great Courses

Climb to the highest point in New Jersey and enjoy miles of quiet country roads, just 30 minutes from New York City!

 
 

TIMED SEGMENT RACING

With timed-segment competitions, your overall time from start to finish does not matter. Only the timed segments count.  Your overall, and age group rankings are determined by your combined time for all timed segments on the route you choose. View Complete Rules and FAQ.

 

Climb to New jersey’s highest point

The hilly Highlands region outside of Butler features great climbs and ascends to the highest point in New Jersey. A great event for all-around cyclists who can power up short climbs and still have the energy to push the pace in a group.

just 30 minutes from New York City

This ride from Butler, New Jersey is a great way to experience the landscape outside the New York City metro area. With remarkably quiet country roads, shady tree canopies, and a downtown start/finish/party at High Point Brewery, this beautiful and challenging ride is well worth the trip. The Gran Route crosses the Appalachian trail eight times and showcases some spectacular terrain. It’s hard to believe riding this good is located so close to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.

Fun & supportive atmosphere

With proximity to huge cycling communities in New York and New Jersey, the Highlands Gran Fondo attracts a large and diverse peloton of competitive, supportive, and fun-loving cyclists of all ability levels. A great opportunity to make a family visti to NYC and get in some great riding!

Post Ride beer

After your ride, kick back and celebrate with a refreshing beer provided by Highpoint Brewing! Raise a glass to your accomplishment and enjoy the perfect post-ride reward in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Cheers to a great ride and even better company!

Safety and Support

Ride with confidence on the marked and marshaled course, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, and staffed feed stations. For the health and safety of all participants, social distancing protocols and enhanced cleaning procedures will be in place.

Prize Raffle

We have more than $5000 of prizes to give out from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win.

View raffle prize list

ABOUT THE COURSE

The Highlands Gran Fondo showcases some of the best riding around. It’s hard to believe riding this good is located in such close proximity to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. The Highlands area is a 1,343 square mile region of Northern New Jersey which is noted for its scenic landscape and environmental importance. Much like this ride, the area is composed of rolling farmland, hilly ridgelines, and winding roads that weave up and down the lush green mountains.

As you enjoy the diversity of the beautiful terrain and scenery, the route will take you through three counties and two states. As the loop progresses so will the elevation, the gran loop will gain 8,000 vertical feet. This event is sure to expose you to roads you never thought could be tucked away so close to one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country.

 

EVENT DETAILS

The information below is from the 2024 event and subject to change. Finalized 2025 details will be updated here and communicated to registered riders via App, Rider Roadbook, and Registered Rider Emails.

 

HIGHLANDS GRAN FONDO APP, powered by Ride with GPS

All event information will be available on the free Highlands Gran Fondo App, powered by Ride with GPS. The app will be available for download the week of the event. From the Ride with GPS app on your phone, select "Open Shortcut" and scan the QR code or enter the code.

BIKEFLIGHTS

If flying into town for Highlands Gran Fondo, a little bit of the hassle around shipping your bike can be relieved through BikeFlights. Their event specific website is: https://www.bikeflights.com/Highlands-Gran-Fondo

PACKET PICKUP

Saturday from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM; Strictly Bicycles | 2347 Hudson Terrace Fort Lee, NJ 07024

Saturday from 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM; High Point Brewery | 22 Park Pl, Butler, NJ 07405

Sunday from 5:30 AM to 6:45 AM; High Point Brewery | 22 Park Pl, Butler, NJ 07405

For Highlands Gran Fondo, in order to speed up packet pickup and reduce congestion, riders may collect packets for up to three additional riders with permission. You must present your ID and a copy of each rider’s photo id and a statement of permission. A text or email containing a photo of a rider’s ID and their statement will work.

Registration will also be available at an increased fee on Saturday and Sunday, tell your friends to sign up now, they can still register.

TIMING CHIPS AND BIB NUMBERS

All Timing Chips must be picked up on race morning. This is a very quick process. We WILL NOT give you a chip without verifying your bib number. Race numbers must be mounted on your back right side and be easily readable.

You must return your timing chip or you will be charged 100 dollars. Please make sure you return it!

PREPARING TO RIDE

As you prepare for your ride after picking up your packet, please abide by the following rules and recommendations:

  • Bib number is mandatory, should be pinned to the back center of your jersey, and cannot be cut or folded.
  • Helmet sticker is mandatory, mounted to the front of your helmet so course marshals and law enforcement can distinguish participants and for accurate photo identification.
  • Timing chip (provided Sunday morning at start area) is required to be included in official results. For best accuracy, please wear timing chip on your ankle.
  • Elevation/race section and name decals are provided for your convenience by our sponsor, Hub Labels.

EVENT WEATHER by Epic Ride Weather

Get the most out of your Gran Fondo National Series ride with personalized weather forecasts from the Epic Ride Weather app. Forecasts include wind speed, temperature and precipitation for the duration of your ride along the route. Plan your hydration and nutrition, pick the right clothing and plan to maximize the tailwind. Gran Fondo National Series events show up under "Events" in the app and are free to use for anyone riding the course. Get the app from https://www.epicrideweather.com

PARKING

Butler High School: 38 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ 07405

Butler Public Library: 1 Ace Rd, Butler, NJ 07405

Richard Butler School 3 Pearl Pl, Butler, NJ 07405

Please park in designated parking areas or utilize legal street parking. Parking is available at the Start/Finish area, as well as the locations listed below. You can also find these locations on this Interactive Google Map. If you park on the street, please follow Butler parking regulations. Vehicles parked illegally or for longer than allowed may be ticketed.

START TIME AND LOCATION

All riders must be staged by 7:15 am for the start at 7:30am. All riders must cross the official start line. Though timing begins at the first timed segment, participation will be verified by chip read at the start. Starting without crossing the start line will result in disqualification. The start and finish lines of timed segments only cover the RIGHT SIDE of the road. If you are on the wrong side of the road when you pass the start or finish line of a timed segment, your time WILL NOT BE RECORDED.

Directions: Google Maps

Event will start and finish at High Point Brewery 22 Park Pl, Butler, NJ 07405

This is not a Start to Finish Race! Time sections determine placement.

AID STATIONS

There will be 4 aid stations along the 100-mile route and 3 on the 60-mile route, and 1 on the 35-mile route. We will provide Water, Heed sports drink, Soda, Hammer Gels and Bars, Bananas, Clementines, Cookies, Chips, and snack bars.

BATHROOMS

Aid-Stations will have bathrooms. Please use bathrooms. One of the biggest local complaints is cyclists peeing on the side of the road. Please help our reputation and use porta-johns.

CUTOFF TIMES

No exceptions for 100 & 63 mile riders! If you do not maintain an average progression speed greater than 10mph you will be directed to take a shorter route. These cut-off spots will happen at the pre-established splits and you will be directed to the shorter route. Please Note: This is a 10mph progression speed, not average speed. Progression speed includes all stopped time. No exceptions!

Lost items: We are not responsible for lost or damaged goods or anything left at aid stations or the start finish area. We will try to help but cannot be responsible for your personal items, including your bike.

FINISH AREA

Upon reaching the finish line, riders will be directed into a one-way finishers' chute to return Timing Chip. Your food and drink tickets are attached to your bib number! Tickets can be redeemed for a great meal. Riders with particular dietary needs should be prepared with own post-ride food options.

RESULTS AND AWARDS

Real-time results will be posted to the Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo App by Ride with GPS, and on the website results page. Riders who finish in the TOP 3 in a competition category (overall male & female for Gran/Medio/Piccolo routes, age groups by course and sex) will be invited to the podium presentations. Gran Route age group winners will be awarded custom kits from Suarez Cycling.

  • Awards presented three deep for each category for fastest section times.
  • Custom produced Highlands Gran Fondo Winners kits will be awarded to the fastest riders in each age category of the Gran Route 100-mile event. These will be mailed to you post event in the size you order.
  • Team competition: fastest three person team in the Gran Route details at: https://www.granfondonationalchampionshipseries.com/team-category/

Estimated times to start awards:

  • Piccolo: 2:00pm
  • Medio: 3:00pm
  • Gran: 4:00pm

We will try to do awards as early as possible. Please understand, it is not possible to tell who won until everyone is finished… this is the nature of timed segment competitions, the first one back is not necessarily the winner. If you do place in the top three of your age group, and you cannot wait for the awards ceremony, you can send a self-addressed postage-paid mailing package to us and we will mail you your award.

PRIZE RAFFLE

Any rider who completes any 2024 Gran Fondo National Series event format on the scheduled weekend will be eligible for the raffle. Raffle winners must be present to win.

Great prizes from our sponsors such as:

  • 4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
  • inGAMBA promotional items
  • Wahoo KICKR smart trainer
  • Lazer helmet
  • Industry Nine hubset
  • Cane Creek components
  • Swiftwick socks
  • Bike Flights travel voucher
  • Shimano products
  • CTS Trainright Membership
  • Jittery Joe’s Coffee
  • UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream
  • Ride with GPS Premium Membership (List subject to change)

RECOMMENDED LODGING AND ATTRACTIONS

Baymont by Wyndham - Pompton Plains Wayne 140 Route 23 NorthPompton Plains, NJ 07444. Phone: 973-696-0900. Ask for special rate for Highlands Gran Fondo bicycling event

 
 
 

Rules

You Must Obey Traffic Laws. This is not a closed course. That means stop at lights and stop signs. Think Safety First.

Do not cause an accident!!!

Be respectful of others on the road!

NEVER CROSS THE CENTER-LINE OF THE ROAD!!!

During all race sections you have the right of way. When you are outside of race sections you do not have the right of way. You will not be racing through any intersections; this means when you come to a sign or signal you should slow down, stop, and be safe.

There are timed sections along the route. As you approach the timed sections you must travel through the designated area (in your lane of traffic!) so that your chip can be properly read and recorded. The times for your timed sections will be compiled and determine placement. 100 mile has 4 timed sections; 55 mile has 2 timed sections; 35 mile has 1 timed section. You can view all the details for timed section with the above map links, click the map icons for details.

Timed sections are open for specific durations. In order to be timed and eligible for awards you must maintain a progression speed between 23mph and 10mph. NOTE: this is progression speed not average speed, progression speed includes all stopped time.

 
 

LOCAL SUPPORTERS

 
 
 
 
 

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations, providing programs for young people that build character.

Highlands Gran Fondo will support the local Troop #49

 

COME JOIN US AT HIGHLANDS GRAN FONDO