Sign up for the Highlands Gran Fondo and get a FREE custom Jersey!

North America’s #2 Top Gran Fondo is back this June 2nd 2024. Register by May 7th to receive a FREE custom SUAREZ jersey!

Last year 1,000 cyclists and an incredible 50 teams enjoyed gorgeous weather to ride through the New Jersey Highlands at the sold out SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series Highlands Gran Fondo starting in Butler, NJ.

And yet, even with a record number of riders on course, riders experienced one of the smoothest editions of Highlands Gran Fondo’s 11-year history.

The hilly Highlands region outside of Butler, NJ features great climbs, miles and miles of quiet country roads and climbs and ascends to the highest point in New Jersey. It is a great way to experience the landscape just 30 minutes from New York City. It’s clearly a favourite in cyclist’s eyes! 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 at High Point Brewery, this beautiful and challenging ride is well worth the trip. The Gran Route crosses the Appalachian Trail eight time and showcases some spectacular areas. It’s hard to believe riding this good is located so close to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.

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 visit to NYC and get in some great riding!

3 Routes for All Abilities

There are three distances on offer, the 101-mile Gran Route has 4 timed sections and 7,400 feet of climbing, the 60-mile Medio route has 3 timed sections and 4,300 feet of climbing, and the 45-mile Piccolo Route has 2 timed sections and 2,450 feet of climbing.

Timed Sections

The timed segment format allows riders to be social and competitive within the same event. During the timed segments, cyclists who choose to compete can "show their strength" and record fast times. When you’re outside those timed sections, everyone has the opportunity to regroup, ride together, enjoy the beautiful scenery, relax, and stop at aid stations.

No racing license is required, and support includes fully stocked aid stations and SAG support to keep you going. Enjoy a great meal and beer at the finish line, plus chances to win valuable prizes!

Time Section #1; Counts for all riders https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32183826

Time Section #2; Counts for all riders https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32183838

Time Section #3; Counts for Gran riders only https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32183849

Time Section #4; Counts for Gran and Medio riders https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32183904

Even though the course will be well marked, you can load the route to your smart phone or GPS device.

Use this RSVP Code to access premium RideWithGPS features and get turn by turn navigation for free: https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Event/129008/bV4ZxXf4CiMC6eQV

Solo, Team and Age Group Prizes

Professional chip timing keeps track of every rider on course and allows riders to compete for the best combined time through up to 4 timed sections on route. Riders can compete solo or as a team, while also regrouping and riding at a more relaxed pace with others between timed sections to and enjoy the views! 

There are competitions for overall male and female victories, as well as age group competitions for males and females. The team competition is won with the combined time of a team’s fastest three riders. Bonus seconds are awarded for additional team members who finish, meaning there’s a benefit to bringing a larger team. 

Results, Awards, and Prizes

All 4 segments count for Gran route. Sections 1, 2, & 3 count for Medio route, and only section 3 counts for Piccolo riders.

- Awards presented three deep for each age group category for fastest section times
- Custom SUAREZ winners kits for all Gran Route age group category winners
- Awards and for top 3 riders in each age category for Gran, Medio and Piccolo winners
- Finisher Medals for Gran, Medio and Piccolo finishers
- For the Gran Fondo Route there is the team prize. Teams must have three or more riders to qualify. Team riders are still eligible for individual awards.

Prize Raffle

All Gran Fond National Series events have more than $5000 of prizes to give out from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win. Not everyone can be fast, while we give great prizes to the winners, we also have great prizes in our raffle. The only rule: you MUST be present to win!

- 5-day, 4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
- Wahoo ELEMNT Rival GPS Watch
- Wahoo KICKR smart trainer (model TBD) 
- Lazer helmets
- Industry Nine Wheelset
- Cane Creek components 
- Swiftwick socks
- Bike Flights travel vouchers
- Shimano products
- CTS Trainright Memberships
- Jittery Joe’s Coffee
- UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream
- Monari Federzoni  - The Passion of Family, a high density aged balsamic
- Ride with GPS Premium Membership

Grab a FREE Custom Jersey

New for 2024, the SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series including an event-specific custom jersey from SUAREZ Cycling Apparel when you register at least 26 days before a Gran Fondo National Series owned event, for Gran Fondo Highlands the deadline is May 7^th 2024.

There will be event-specific jerseys for Gran Fondo Florida, Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo, Highlands Gran Fondo, Gran Fondo Asheville, Boone Gran Fondo, and Gran Fondo Maryland.

Fully Supported

As with all SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series events, there are full stocked feed stations on all routes to keep you fed and hydrated, with individually-packaged food options, complimentary cycling jersey (until cut off date), Goody Bag with various swag items, a finishers awards for completing the Gran Fondo route, awards for age placement, a raffle and of course the chance to win prizes for placement in the overall timed climbs. A Post-event meal and commemorative finisher medals for all participants.

Riders will be rewarded for their efforts back at High Point Brewery in Butler with the best finish line party featuring great local food from Boca Bowls and Ramstein beer from High Point Brewery, the award ceremonies and the legendary prize raffle featuring more than $5,000 in prizes from Series sponsors!

Qualify for 2024 USA Cycling National Championships

Riders can qualify for the 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, presented by Ourisman Automotive Group, to be held during Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, MD on September 15, 2024

A USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship title, complete with a national championship jersey and medal, will be awarded to the winner in each age-group category at the National Championships.

Review complete qualification here: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-national-championship

Register NOW to Secure a Place

Registration is open - but you'll need to hurry to secure a place on this epic challenge across northern New Jersey’s Appalachian Mountains.

Register before May 3rd before prices rise. Register before May 7th for a FREE custom event jersey! R

For more information, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-highlands

2024 Event Calendar

2024 Partner Events

In addition to the 6 events organized and run by the Series, there are a growing number Partner-Events where athletes can earn points toward the 2024 Gran Fondo National Series Points Championship. Watch for additional Partner-Events to be included for 2024.

For more information on the 2024 SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com