Ride Genius Bike Tours

Ride Genius Tours specializes in creating the very best bicycle rides in the Mid-Atlantic. Great routes and scenery. Indoor accommodations. Dinner at local restaurants. Please reach out if you want to know more!

Countdown: 2025 Pedal Pittsburgh to Frederick

Just Who Is the Ride Genius?

Phil Heffler got his first ten-speed in 1971 on a trade-in for his English Racer 3 speed. And It was Love at First Ride, as he rode around the hills and thrills of his birthplace of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In 1993, Phil moved to rural Frederick, Maryland. After years of riding in heavy traffic, Frederick stole his heart! And he began to have weekly bicycle rides from his home…and 15-25 cyclists would come up from Washington DC and Baltimore, amazed at the beautiful scenery and low volume traffic they experienced on his routes. Hence, they began the moniker: The Ride Genius….and it stuck!

To date, the Ride Genius has had over 250 rides all over the Mid-Atlantic. Some of the better-known rides were the Catoctin Challenge (One of Greg Lemond’s favorites), Pedal 2 Pittsburgh (Voted one of the best multi-day rides every year) and the Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie Fall Classic.

But we are often asked, “What makes a Ride Genius Tour Ride different from others?”

And the answer is the old saying that “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration!”

That in a nutshell is what makes the rides so unique and different. Instead of merely mapping out a route from various maps and sites, every mile has been ridden and examined for the Seven Specifications:

1) Safety (Low car traffic)
2) Smooth, rolling roads with scenic views
3) Challenging climbs with thrilling descents
4) Great overnights in quaint towns & cities with clean motels, hotels and B&B’s
5) Hall of fame SAG service and luggage transportation
6) Great Happy Hours to relax après-ride
7) Lots of sightseeing close by

Each and every route you will ride has been Ride Genius Certified and follows the Seven Specifications before it can be approved!

We hope that helps explain our mission and that you, too, may join us for a ride.

Thanks, and Keep Pedaling!