Register NOW for Gran Fondo Highlands a get a FREE Jersey!
Come and ride one of the “best Gran Fondo’s in North America” which sells out every year attracting over 1,000 cyclists.
Grab a FREE Custom Jersey when you register before May 6!
Sign up by May 6, 2025 (26 days before event) and receive a custom Highlands Event Jersey crafted by the Series title sponsor Suarez Clothing!
For more information visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-highlands or click the button below to register now.
As typical for the Highlands Region, temperatures for the 12th Annual Highlands Gran Fondo in 2024 were in the 70s °F with sunny skies, and made for a perfect day as a thousand riders rolled out of Butler, NJ to experience riding through High Point State Park and throughout the Highlands Region for which the event is named.
And yet, even with a record number of riders on course, riders experienced one of the smoothest editions of Highlands Gran Fondo’s 12-year history.
Just 30 minutes from New York City, the Highlands Gran Fondo event is a great way to experience the landscape outside the New York City metro area. With remarkably quiet country roads and shady tree canopies, this beautiful and challenging ride is well worth the trip.
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. The Gran Route crosses the Appalachian trail eight time and showcases some spectacular riding terrain. It’s hard to believe riding this good is located so close to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.
Along with the Fun & Supportive Atmosphere, in 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!
The Beneficiary of Gran Fondo Highlands is the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Patriots’ Path Council, #358
3 Routes for All Abilities
There are three distances on offer, the 103-mile Gran Route has 4 timed sections and 7,500 feet of climbing, the 63-mile Medio route has 3 timed sections and 4,400 feet of climbing, and the 36-mile Piccolo Route has 2 timed sections and 2,600 feet of climbing.
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, and 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.
The team category at Highlands is very popular and very competitive. An amazing 25 teams of three riders took part in the team competition last year on the Gran Fondo course.
Results, Awards, and Prizes
4 Timed Sections in the Gran Route – Best Combined Time Wins
Custom “Race Winner” cycling kit from SUAREZ for all Gran Route age group winners
Podium ceremony and awards for Gran Route, top 3 by age group and sex
Podium ceremony for Medio and Piccolo Route, top 3 by age group and sex
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.
Fully Supported
As with all 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.
There will be 4 aid stations along the 103 mile route, 2 on the 63mi, and 1 on the 36mi (about every 20-25 miles). Food and water will be provided in single-serving packages. We will provide Water, Heed sports drink, Soda, Hammer Gel, Hammer Bars, Bananas, Clementines, Cookies, Chips, Fig Bars, and other items.
Aid-Station will have bathrooms.
Ride with confidence on the marked and marshalled course, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, and staffed feed stations.
Photos will capture the excitement of the day, with event photos available for purchase shortly after the ride.
Post Ride Party
Offering what is perhaps the best Post Ride Party you’ll ever find at a finish line, High Point Brewery company, brewery of the award winning Ramstein Beers, offer congratulatory beers to the riders as the return from the challenging routes. Along with a fresh hot meal and great comradery shared among the riders, the awards are followed by a Post Ride Raffle with more than $5000 in prizes to give out from Series sponsors, but beware, race director Reuben Kline is known for his uncanny ability to convince riders into doing pushes and other physical acts, like how can stand on one foot the longest.
Whether hanging out for your chance to step onto the podium, win an awesome raffle prize, or just enjoy some great beers with fellow riders, the post ride part is a fun time for all!
The Beneficiary of Gran Fondo Highlands is the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Patriots’ Path Council, #358
Prize Raffle
In addition to the thrill of the ride, more than $5,000 in prizes will be awarded from Series sponsors, with all riders 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!
- Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
- Wahoo ELEMNT ACE Computer
- Wahoo KICKR smart trainer
- Monari Federzoni premium balsamic vinegar
- Ekoi sunglasses
- Lazer helmet
- Industry Nine wheelset
- 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
2025 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships
Cyclists can also qualify for the 2025 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, to be held during Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, MD on September 14, 2025.
Grab a FREE Custom Jersey when you register before May 6!
Sign up by May 6, 2025 (26 days before event) and receive a custom Highlands Event Jersey crafted by the Series title sponsor Suarez Clothing!
For more information visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-highlands or click the button below to register now.