Named after the famed Navesink Twin Lights up the hill from Huddy Park in Highlands, New Jersey, and showcasing the best of the Garden State, this event has been a favorite of local cyclists, New Yorkers, and visitors from around the country for over a decade. Five routes ranging from 15 to 100 miles run along the picturesque Jersey shore, over undulating hills, past quaint farms, and wind up at a finish festival where local restaurants come out to serve up their best to hungry riders—it’s the hook that keeps folks coming back year after year for just one more bite. Early-bird registration is now open.
September 24, 2017
Thanks to everyone for a great ride! Next year’s event will be September 30. Mark your calendars!
Up to 100 Miles
Local Farms
Local Food
Finish Festival
Local Farms
Local Food
Finish Festival
Check out Photo Highlights
IMPORTANT DETAILS
- Rain or shine
- This event takes place on streets open to traffic.
- Helmets are required on all Bike New York rides.
- New Jersey State law requires all cyclists to have and use a bike bell.
- Bags are allowed, but there is no bag check.
- Proceeds from all Bike New York events fund our free bike education programs. Learn more.
The Routes
All routes begin and end in Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (301 Shore Drive). Note that this is not the Huddy Park in Toms River, NJ.
Please note that the entire route is on streets that are open to motorized traffic (with the exception of the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path on the 15 mile route). Cyclists must obey all traffic laws. This includes obeying all traffic signals and yielding as required. Being part of the event does not put you above the rules of the road.
Click on this link for a complete listing of NJ Bicycle Laws.
15 Miles – "A Little Light" - SOLD OUT
Perfect for families and newer riders, this route goes through scenic Sandy Hook primarily along a car-free multi-use path.
Elevation gain: 150 ft
Start time: 9:45AM-10:15AM
15 MILE ROUTE ON RIDE WITH GPS & STRAVA
(This limited-capacity route is now sold out.)
30 Miles – “This Little Light of Mine”
This route includes stunning ocean views as riders travel along the Jersey Shore through Sea Bright before rolling through Monmouth County communities south and west of Highlands including Oceanport and Middletown.
Elevation gain: 1100 ft
Start time: 9:15AM-10:15AM
30 MILE ROUTE ON RIDE WITH GPS & STRAVA
55 Miles – “White Lightning”
“This Little Light of Mine” plus an extra 25-mile southern loop around U.S. Weapons Station Earle through Farmingdale and Colts Neck.
Elevation gain: 2000 ft
Start time: 8:30AM-9:30AM
55 MILE ROUTE ON RIDE WITH GPS & STRAVA
75 Miles – “Blinded By the Light”
“White Lightning” plus an extra 20-mile southeastern loop along the coastal communities of Spring Lake, Sea Girt, and Brielle. Goes near Asbury Park, but unfortunately does not include Bruce Springsteen.
Elevation gain: 2200 ft
Start time: 8:00-8:30AM
Along the Route
Rest Areas
Rest areas along the route offer cyclists a chance to rest, fill up their water bottles, and refuel for the road ahead with complimentary snacks and refreshments, including nuun hydration, a sports drink which is high in electrolytes, low in sugar and without any artificial ingredients.
Toilets
Toilets are located in Huddy Park and at every rest area.
Bike Repair
Bike repair stations are located in Huddy Park and at each rest area. Labor is free, but there is a charge for parts. Be sure to bring a spare tube with you. We strongly recommend that you bring an extra bike tube and a patch kit, and check your bike before the Tour. Here’s some info to help with that. If you need assistance in between rest areas call the rider hotline # on your cue sheet.
Marshals
Volunteer marshals will be riding with you, and stationed along the route to provide roadside assistance.
SAG ( Support & Gear)
If you are running out of steam, get hurt, or fall too far behind, SAG vehicles positioned along the route will transport you and your bike back to Huddy Park. Please be patient as SAG vehicles may be busy and you may be required to transfer before returning to Huddy Park.
Finish Festival
One of the best things about this ride is the food at the Finish Festival. Every year, local restaurants pile into Huddy Park to serve up the best seafood, Mexican fare, pizza, and much more to famished riders and their friends and family. Bring cash—and a big appetite.
Official Merchandise
Get kitted out in official Bike New York and Twin Lights Ride gear—we’ll have shirts, jerseys, water bottles, and much, much more. All proceeds fund our free bike education programs, so shop away!
All routes begin and end in Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ.
Ferry
Round Trip Ferries take Twin Lights Riders (and their bikes) from Pier 11 in Manhattan to Highlands, NJ on the morning of the ride; 100 and 75 mile riders must take the 6:00AM ferry in order to arrive on time. Please note that ticket times are non-transferable; Bike New York cannot guarantee availability on an additional ferry if you miss your return ferry. Please select your return time carefully.
Carpool
We recommend using Google Maps to plot your route. Enter 301 Shore Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732 as your final destination. Parking is available within biking distance of Huddy Park.
PARKING
On-site attendants will direct visitors to available spots in the area.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Click here. Easy!
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MATERIALS FOR MY RIDE?
You should receive a confirmation email immediately after you’ve registered. Final details will be sent on the Friday before the event. For the Twin Lights Ride, bibs and bike plates will be distributed at check-in on the day of the ride. Check-in starts at 7AM in Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (301 Shore Drive). For start times, go here.
Check-in will also be available the day before the ride (Saturday, Sept. 23rd ) from 12PM-5PM at Huddy Park.
Please note: All riders must arrive in person with their government issued photo ID in order to retrieve their riding materials. Materials will not be distributed to individuals looking to pick up bibs and bike plates for other riders.
IS THE ROUTE CLOSED TO CARS?
No. The route is open to traffic. Riders are expected to obey all traffic laws.
Please note that the entire route is on streets that are open to motorized traffic (with the exception of the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path on the 15 mile route). Cyclists must obey all traffic laws. This includes obeying all traffic signals and yielding as required. Being part of the event does not put you above the rules of the road.
Click on this link for a complete listing of NJ Bicycle Laws.
HOW HILLY IS THE RIDE?
Check out the elevation gains for each route here.
CAN I SWITCH ROUTES DURING THE RIDE?
Yes. There will be certain points on each route at which you’ll have to decide whether to continue on your chosen route or switch to a different route. These splits are indicated on your cue sheet and will be marked with signs. Follow the signs for your chosen route.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
- Helmet. (And you gotta wear it. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.)
- Photo ID so you can check in and get your cue sheet.
- Water bottle(s)—you’ll be able to refill them at the start and at every rest area.
- Cash so you can stock up on cool Bike New York gear and get some grub at the finish festival.
- Spare tube and patch kit. Bike repair along the route is free, but there is a charge for parts.
WHAT ABOUT BAD WEATHER?
All Bike New York rides are rain or shine unless otherwise noted. In the event of severe or potentially dangerous weather, we’ll be in touch regarding contingency plans.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE?
Your registration fee covers entry to the ride, a cue sheet, access to services and amenities along the route (such as rest areas and SAG support), a commemorative T-shirt at the finish festival, as well as—for the first time this year—Finisher medals. We also provide a complimentary breakfast before the ride. Local food vendors will be at the finish festival, but your post-ride meal is not covered by the cost of entry.
WHERE DO PROCEEDS FROM THE RIDE GO?
Bike New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all proceeds from our events fund our free bike education programs. In 2016 alone, we taught bike skills to more than 17,000 kids and adults throughout New York City.
HOW DO I GET TO HIGHLANDS, NEW JERSEY?
Visit the Getting There page for up-to-date information.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE FERRY TICKETS?
Note the following:
- Round Trip Ferries take Twin Lights Riders (and their bikes) from Pier 11 in Manhattan to Highlands, NJ on the morning of the ride.
- Ticket times are non-transferable; Bike New York cannot guarantee availability on an additional ferry if you miss your return ferry. Please select your return time carefully.
- UPDATE: The 6:00 am ferry is SOLD OUT, which means that 100 and 75 mile riders must arrange for other transportation to the Start in order to arrive on time.
CAN I GET A REFUND FOR MY RIDE ENTRY OR GIVE/SELL MY REGISTRATION TO SOMEONE ELSE?
No. Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable. This is partly due to insurance/liability reasons. If you cannot attend for any reason, email info@bike.nyc to request that your registration fee be converted into a tax-deductible charitable donation.
CAN I GET A REFUND FOR MY FERRY TICKET?
No. Ferry ticket purchases are nonrefundable.
CAN I REGISTER FOR THE RIDE THE DAY OF?
Yes, day of registration is $95 for adults and $75 for children and is Cash Only.
MY CHILD WILL BE WITH ME IN A TRAILER OR CHILD SEAT. DOES SHE HAVE TO BE REGISTERED?
Yes. Each person participating in the event must be registered. Youth entries are available at a lower price. Children under the age of three are not allowed on Bike New York rides.
ARE THERE AGE RESTRICTIONS?
Youths ages 3 to 9 must ride with an adult on a tandem bike, in a child’s seat, on a tag-along bike, or in a bike trailer. Youths ages 10 to 17 may ride their own bikes, but must remain in close proximity to the adult with whom they were registered.
WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE AT CHECK-IN?
Check-in is available on Saturday, September 23, from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (301 Shore Drive). If you are checking in on the morning of the ride, it is recommended that participants give themselves at least 30 minutes prior to their intended Route’s Start Window closing time to ensure they have ample opportunity to get through the check-in lines, receive their cue sheet (turn-by-turn instructions), use the restroom, and grab a complimentary breakfast. Please account for travel time, parking, and potential lines when planning your trip. Reference our Lodging and Travel page for travel information.
WHEN DOES THE RIDE START?
- 100 Miles: 7:30am – 8:00am
- 75 Miles: 8:00am – 8:30am
- 55 Miles: 8:30am – 9:30am
- 30 Miles: 9:15am – 10:15am
- 15 Miles: 9:45am – 10:15am
HOW LONG DOES THE RIDE TAKE?
That’s up to you! You can ride at your own pace and stop at rest areas for as long as you like, provided you remain in front of the SAG vehicles trailing the back of the pack. The finish festival closes at 5:30PM, so be mindful of your pace and ride accordingly.
ARE THERE BIKE RENTALS AVAILABLE?
Yes! Please visit our Bike Rental page for additional information.
CAN I GET THE ROUTE CUE SHEET AHEAD OF TIME?
No. Cue sheets will be given out on the morning of the ride, ten minutes before the beginning of the start window for each route. This allows us to make any necessary last-minute adjustments to the route and ensures that people start the ride at the right time—when rest areas are open and SAG vehicles are in position.
AM I REQUIRED TO HAVE A BELL ON MY BIKE?
According to New Jersey State law, all bikes are required to have bells.
IS THERE A PLACE TO DROP OFF MY BAG?
No. You must take your bag with you on the ride.
ARE THERE ANY BAG RESTRICTIONS?
No.
IS LUNCH INCLUDED AT THE END?
No. However, you will be able to purchase food from local vendors at the finish festival. Bring cash and an appetite.
IS THERE A LOST AND FOUND?
Check at the information tent at the finish festival to see if your lost item has been found. If not, email info@bike.nyc two days after the event to see if we found it. Lost-and-found items that remain unclaimed after two weeks will be repurposed, donated, or discarded.
I'M A BIKE NEW YORK MEMBER! HOW DO I RECEIVE MY 15% DISCOUNT?
That’s awesome! Please e-mail membership@bike.nyc or call the Membership Department at 212-870-2072 for instructions on applying your member discount. Interested in becoming a member? Visit the Membership Page to find out more!
Photo Highlights
WHEN YOU RENT A BIKE WITH UNLIMITED BIKING, THE OFFICIAL RENTAL PARTNER OF BIKE NEW YORK, PROCEEDS HELP FUND OUR BIKE EDUCATION PROGRAM!
*Want to rent a cruiser bike? They’re perfect for shorter rides—say, a 15-mile beachfront ride up to Sandy Hook—and local outfit Kranky Cycles, located right at the Start/Finish, has you covered. Call ’em to make a reservation: 732-291-1166
Highlands has a long and interesting history. Henry Hudson noticed the Highlands as he sailed the Half Moon into the area in 1609, claiming the area for the Dutch. But he wasn’t the first European to comment on the high hills—Verrazano of Florence had been there nearly 100 years earlier.
Hudson explored the hills and traded with the local Lenape Indian natives. The Lenape called the area Navesink, which meant “a place of good fishing.” Today the river bears that name, and the local shellfishing industry supplies much of the local catch in the nearby restaurants.
The Dutch who first settled the area never really established settlements in the Highlands. When the British began exploring the area and discussing possible real estate deals with the Lenape, the Dutch threatened to build a fort to keep them out. In 1664, when the British took over the Dutch settlements, they renamed the area “Portland” after a town in England with a similar formation.
The first European to settle in the area was Richard Hartshorne, who built his home there in 1678.
Sandy Hook, across Sandy Hook Bay from Highlands, is one of the most famous navigational landmarks on the eastern seaboard. Its strategic position figures prominently in the military history of the region.
During the Revolutionary War, both British and Colonial armies were operating in New Jersey. Many loyalists in Monmouth County went to Sandy Hook when the British fleet arrived in 1776. They built fortifications and held the Hook for the remainder of the war. The Highlands had its own Revolutionary War hero, Captain Joseph Huddy, a member of the Continental Militia. He was captured by the British and hung in 1782, near the spot of the small park in Highlands which bears his name today.
The Twin Lights lighthouse in Highlands was completed in 1862. This is the first structure many immigrants to America saw as they approached New York Harbor. The Twin Lights was the first U.S. lighthouse to use the French Fresnel lens to reach some 22 miles out to sea. Around the turn of the twentieth century, Marconi used the Twin Lights for one of his early tests of wireless telegraphy.
Highlands has been a tourist destination since the first hotel was built there in 1796. In the 19th century, sailing ships and then steamships brought visitors to enjoy the sea air. One of its most well-known summer residents was Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel. She trained in the challenging currents beneath the Highlands bridge.
Highlands was incorporated as a town in 1900 and continues to host visitors seeking fresh seaside air. Now, of course, year-round residents can commute to New York City on a 45-minute ferry trip across the Harbor. In addition to the nearby beaches and National Recreation Area, residents and visitors alike enjoy the active nightlife and numerous seafood restaurants in the area.