Named after the iconic Navesink Twin Lights up the hill from Huddy Park in Highlands, New Jersey, this ride has been a favorite of local cyclists, New Yorkers, and visitors from around the country for more than a decade.
Five routes ranging from 15 to 100 miles take you along the Jersey shore, over undulating hills, and past quaint farms to our finish festival where local restaurants come out to serve up their best to hungry riders—it’s the greatest way to wind down your summer riding season.
All routes begin and end in Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (301 Shore Drive). Please note: this is not the Huddy Park in Toms River, NJ.
Please note: the entire route is on streets that are open to motorized traffic. Cyclists must obey all traffic laws. This includes obeying all traffic signals, yielding as required, and sharing the road with cars. 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.
Click here for an overview of the ride.
Please note: Routes and elevations are subject to change up until ride day.
Perfect for families and newer riders; we’ll provide more detail as we get closer to ride day.
Please note: Spots are limited for this route, we recommend signing up as quickly as possible.
Elevation gain: 150 ft
Start time: 9:45AM-10:15AM
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: 1,100 ft
Start time: 9:15AM-10:15AM
The 30-mile route plus an extra 25-mile southern loop around U.S. Weapons Station Earle through Farmingdale and Colts Neck.
Elevation gain: 2,000 ft
Start time: 8:30AM-9:30AM
The 55-mile route 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: 2,200 ft
Start time: 8:00-8:30AM
The 75-mile route plus an extra 25-mile loop west around the Turkey Swamp Wildlife Area near Freehold.
Elevation gain: 3,000 ft
Start time: 7:30AM-8:00AM
All routes begin and end in Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ.
Round Trip Ferries take Twin Lights Riders (and their bikes) from Manhattan to Highlands, NJ on the morning of the ride.
Please note:
75 and 100-mile riders must take the early ferry.
55, 30, and 15-mile riders can plan to take the later ferry.
We’ll make ferry tickets available as soon as we have the details finalized, so please be on the lookout for an announcement from us this summer.
We recommend using Google Maps to plot your route. Enter 329 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732 as your final destination. Parking is available within biking distance of Huddy Park.
On-site attendants will direct visitors to available spots in the area.
Riders renting a bicycle with Unlimited Biking will pick up their bike at the Start and drop off their bike at the Finish. No need to transport your rental to and from the ride!
Unlimited Biking is offering all registered riders the option of transporting their bike between NYC and Highlands. For $49 round-trip, they’ll pick up your bike at their Columbus Circle location (346 W. 57th St) and shuttle it to the Start/Finish area in Huddy Park. After your ride, drop your bike off with UB for swift transport back up to the city. Contact Unlimited Biking for more information, or click below to reserve your spot.
The Twin Lights Ride starts and finishes at Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (329 Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ 07732).
Your start time depends on the distance you’ll be riding.
Note: Timing is based on route support and rest area services. Once a start window has closed, participants will no longer have access to that route and must switch to a shorter option.
For example: If you plan to ride the 100-mile route but arrive at 8:10AM, the start window has closed, and you will be asked to join the 75-mile route.
All riders must be on the route by 10:15AM. If you arrive after that time, we will not be able to provide your rider kit to you.
Yes! And now for the best part: When you rent a bike with our official rental partner, Unlimited Biking, proceeds help fund our bike education, community outreach, and advocacy programming.
You’ll pick up your bike at the Start and drop it off at the Finish. No need to transport your rental to and from the ride!
Unlimited Biking is also offering all registered riders the option of transporting their bicycle between NYC and Highlands. For $49 (round trip), Unlimited Biking will shuttle your bike to the Start/Finish area across the street from Huddy Park. After your ride, simply drop your bike off with Unlimited Biking for swift transport back to the city.
Check-in is available on Friday and Saturday.
All check-in is located at Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (329 Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ). Please bring your confirmation email and your government-issued photo ID to receive your riding materials. Rider kits will not be provided for riders who are not present.
Breakfast starts at 7:00AM on ride day.
If you are checking in on the morning of the ride, we recommend you allow yourself at least 30 minutes prior to your intended route’s start window to ensure you have ample time to get through the check-in line, receive your cue sheet, use the restroom, and grab a complimentary breakfast. You should also account for travel time, parking, and potential lines when planning your trip.
Cue sheets will be distributed ten minutes before the beginning of each start window. Starts are staggered to keep the ride flowing smoothly by spreading out cyclists along the route and minimizing our impact on local roads and communities.
All riders must be on the route by 10:15AM. If you arrive after that time, we will not be able to provide your rider kit to you.
Yes! Just stop by the Start/Finish area at Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (329 Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ). Onsite registration is cash or credit card.
If you are registering on ride day, you must complete your registration before the start window for your route closes.
Please note: There is no ATM in Huddy Park (though there are a few convenient options nearby), so come prepared with your method of payment and government-issued photo ID.
Yes, you may purchase ferry tickets on ride day. We’ll provide further information this summer as soon as we’ve finalized the details.
Breakfast is included with your registration.
Lunch is not included, but there will be food trucks and local restaurants at the end, so bring cash or card and of course, your appetite!
We welcome any human-powered pedaled bike (road, mountain, fixed gear, recumbent, unicycle, tandem, tricycle, etc.) on our rides.
New Jersey passed legislation in 2019 allowing the use of low-speed electric bikes (pedal-assist) on public streets. You can find out more about the law here.
Throttle-powered e-bikes are not allowed on any Bike New York events.
The 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, yielding as required, and sharing the roads with vehicles.
See a complete listing of NJ bicycle laws.
There are no dirt paths on the route, though there may be some gravel at rest stops.
All elevation gains are approximate and subject to change.
Yes. There are certain points on each route at which you may 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. You may switch only to a route of lesser distance to ensure you have access to all route amenities.
We’ll have repair stations at the start, rest areas, and roving bike repair vans along the route. Labor is free for minor issues, but there is a charge for parts.
Don’t wait until the last minute to find out whether your bike is road-ready! We highly recommend that you get your bike tuned up before the ride. Most bike shops offer this service for a reasonable fee, depending on the extent of the necessary tweaks/repairs.
All Bike New York rides are rain or shine. In the event of severe or potentially dangerous weather, we’ll be in touch regarding contingency plans.
You can purchase ferry tickets on our exclusively chartered Seastreak ferries, or drive to Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (329 Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ).
If you drive, there is ample street parking near the Start/Finish area; volunteers will be there on ride day to direct you to the nearest available spots.
Your registration fee covers:
Please note: Local food vendors will be at the Finish Festival, but your post-ride meal is not covered by the cost of entry.
Bike New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all proceeds from our events fund our free bike education, community outreach, and advocacy programs. In 2021 alone, we taught bike riding and bike safety skills to more than 30,000 kids and adults throughout New York City.
No, all rider kits will be distributed at check-in at Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ (329 Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ).
Entries are non-refundable and non-deferrable, but you may transfer your entry to another person. Here’s how:
If you prefer to donate your registration fees to Bike New York (with our deep gratitide for your support), please email info@bike.nyc to request that your registration fee be converted into a tax-deductible charitable donation.
If you purchased the EnMotive Protection Plan during registration and need to cancel your entry, please email protectionplan@enmotive.com for assistance.
Youth ages 3-17 are welcome to participate provided they are registered and ride with a parent or guardian, adhering to these guidelines:
Please note: All participants, including children in child seats, on tagalongs, or in bike trailers, must be registered. Youth entries, for ages 15 and below, are available at a lower price.
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 (Support and Gear) vehicles trailing the back of the pack. The Finish Festival closes at 6:00PM, so be mindful of your pace and ride accordingly.
No, but you may use the timing feature in your GPS app to track your time.
Cue sheets will be given out on the morning of the ride, ten minutes before the beginning of the start time for each route. This allows us to ensure that people start the ride when rest areas are open and SAG vehicles are in position.
We will post GPS files two days before the ride on our Routes and Services page.
You must take the return ferry you signed up for, so be sure to keep the wristband we give you in the morning. There will be ferries leaving Highlands at 2:30, 4:30, and 6:30PM.
Bike New York cannot guarantee space on another ferry if you miss your chosen departure time.
Walk through the parking lot to Shore Drive, then turn left. From there, you can ride your bike to Huddy Park (about a minute’s ride).
There will be staff and signs to guide you to check-in.
No. You must take your bag with you on the ride.
No.
Feeling nostalgic? Check out the 2022 Twin Lights Ride video below.
If you would like to cover and/or ride the Twin Lights Ride as a member of the press, please complete and submit the following form.
Interested in sponsoring Bike New York?
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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.
