See the calendar for more information. Here are the GPS links for the rides we have available.
26-mile ride
32-mile ride
34.5-mile ride
Author: Phil Heffler
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Ride Genius Birthday Ride 2025 – GPS links
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Ride Genius Birthday Ride
April 12 – Ride Genius Birthday ride near Breezewood PA
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Edit (March 26):
The ridewithGPS link is below:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50096378
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WHEW! Mother Nature must be mad at Father Time, because this has been one Bad Ass Winter. Luckily, Pittsburgh has been really cold, but we have escaped much of the snow, (10 snow falls with only 7 total inches of accumulation so far!). Amazingly, if you go just 45 miles south, there has been 3 times that much!
Anyway, although it seems like it will never warm up.....The Word on the Street is, The Ride Genius Weather Meteorologist, Noah Chance-for-Rain, has Guaranteed a Beautiful day, Saturday, April 12th, to celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of the Ride Genius's Birthday!
Accordingly, we are planning a day of riding the Old PA Turnpike out of Breezewood. Amazingly, this closed section of the TP is open for Biking and Hiking, and is (Even MORE Amazing) almost flat with a max of only 2% at one point.
Plus, we go thru 2 old, completely dark, tunnels (Rays Tunnel & the 1 mile & 1/4th long Sideling Tunnel - bring headlights). Over the years, people have painted murals and graffiti over almost every piece of road and walls of the tunnels, and it is incredible to see.
If one chooses to just do the TP trail, it is about 16 miles total (out and back). But for those that want more miles, we will have 2 other routes (a 30 and a 40) that takes us thru some pretty amazing scenery atop Sideling Mountain. This has more hills, but none are too tough (8% max), with most of the extra miles rolling with very little car traffic.
Afterwards, we will meet for a late lunch (3pm-ish) at a Mountaintop Restaurant on Old Rt 30 (we drive there).
Good news is, we will start the rides at noon, so it gives ALL (Burghers and Marylanders) time to get there. 2 hour drives for most....Then.....On the way back home....
For MD-ers, I recommend taking Rt 30 east to Gettysburg after lunch, it is a Historic, great & scenic ride back to Frederick/Balt/DC.
Ditto Pittsburghers, taking Rt 30 west back takes you past the 9/11 monument. Warning, while it is a National Tribute to those that were killed there, it is also very emotional.
Le me know who is interested...hope to see all there!
Fil 301-693-4503 -
Icebreaker Open
We are planning on doing our Annual Ice-Breaker Open bike ride here in da Burgh, Saturday, January 4th, 2025.
Bring in the New Year with a Hills & Thrills (Pittsburgh Style), and ride around beautiful North Park. Ride starts at 12:30pm (To let it warm up a bit). PLUS it gives Merry-Land riders plenty of time to get there that morning.
* 15-, 25- and 30-mile ride options (Plus, it NEVER SNOWS on a Fil Heffler Event)
Then, we will pick a great restaurant for dinner that night.
Out of towners, let me know, and I will assist on getting Overnight hotel reservations for you.
Interested? Contact us in the usual way.
Fil....Start your cycling year off right! -
Apples, Peaches 2024 Wrap-up
The pictures from the Apples, Peaches 2024 weekend are here.
Under beautiful sunshine and no clouds, the 2024 Apples, Peaches ride was perfect. We had three routes, starting in Clear Spring MD, and numerous riders. A fine Italian dinner was had in the evening that rewarded us for our efforts that day.
On Sunday, some of us drove to Breezewood, PA to ride through the abandoned Pennsylvania turnpike. There was a half-marathon happening that day, unbeknownst to us, which made navigating a bit challenging. While David R and Rex B did an out-and-back ride, Phil and Bill S came back over the mountain. That return was a lot smoother, but quite difficult.
A good time was had by all. Next up - The Ice Breaker Open on January 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh. Details soon. -
Apples, Peaches 2024
OK....all systems are go for the 21st running of the Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie Fall Classic Ride...here are the details:
Where: Clear Spring MD
When: Saturday morning October 19 (10:30am start, 30- and 60-mile marked courses) and Sunday October 20th (9:00am start, 25 miles)
Hotel: For those staying overnight: Holiday Inn Express 12426 Houck Ave, Clear Spring, MD 21722 (website) (map) (make your own reservations: 888-465-4329)
More:
The routes are really great...mostly rollers along low-traffic roads with painted markings and GPS routes online (links coming soon)
Après-ride Happy Hour Saturday......then...
We will dine across the street at Al's Restaurant, Pizzeria & Grill at 6:00 pm (dress casual); (website) (phone: 301-842-3873)
Sunday's ride will go to Hancock MD and back
Suggested Donation $25 (one person) or $35 (couples); this covers costs for marked roads, R & D and Happy hour
RSVP before October 1 please
For more info, 301-693-4503 (Phil) -
Jim Thorpe/Wellsboro
-Jim Thorpe Ride (Road & Lehigh Valley Trail)
* Tuesday, Sept 24th & 25th, Jim Thorpe Inn (overnight)
** 9-24 Tuesday: 1pm start. Cycle the Lehigh Valley Trail. Choose your distance....20-30-40-???
Dinner in town that evening
** 9-25 Wednesday: 8am start. 25 mile road ride up & over the mountain. Gorgeous views, with a 4-mile return to Jim Thorpe on the Lehigh Trail
Then we are off to Wellsboro PA and the PA Grand Canyon (by car). Arrive Wellsboro approximately @ 2pm.
Check into the Grand Canyon Motel (other motels are available). Explore the quaint town, dinner, drinks etc.
** 9-26 Thursday: 9am ride along the Pine Creek trail - one of the best in the state. Choose your distance....20-30-40-???
Then we head home that afternoon. All riders make their own hotel reservations.
Cost of the ride is FREE. But please contact Phil at pheffler@aol.com for the necessary details.
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Proposed 2024 Tour: Jim Thorpe, PA
Three-day Ride Genius Tour for Tuesday September 17 – Friday September 20.
FYI: The Town of Jim Thorpe is located in the Pocono Mountains. It is a beautiful & quaint town with great restaurants galore. All three routes will leave from the same hotel (SORRY, there are NO Hancock Motels in the area so we will have to find somewhere else to stay!) Just an idea, but this one may be good to make it a “Honeydo” ride and bring the spouses along…i.e. …nice shops and sight-seeing. The lineup will be:
Tuesday: Trail ride at 1:00 pm on the Lehigh Trail (30-50 miles, your choice); Check in to the hotel (the Jim Thorpe Inn), happy hour and dinner that night. Wednesday: trail/road combo ride (40 miles). Thursday: Hotel checkout, head to Wellsboro PA to ride some of the Pine Creek Trail. Friday: Short ride and go home.
* Easier daily routes provided upon request.
Then go home!
As always, our R&D team/Brain Trust (Phil and Bill) will do our best to make this ride a R.G.A.E. (Ride Genius Approved Event!)….and hopefully a late Summer early Fall tradition!
In the meantime…..Keep Pedaling!
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Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin 2023 – Gettysburg PA
Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7.
Colton Motel: 232 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg PA 17325
Both the 25 and the 50 are scenic with very little traffic. The 50 has some really good, long climbs and follows the original Catoctin Challenge route from the late 90’s up & over the Michaux State Forrest and South Mountain. The 25 also follows the CC, but is much easier with scenic views, but only with a few (short) & very doable climbs. For those from Pittsburgh: Suggest making reservations ASAP….We are at the Colton Motel (clean but older motel). Others are the Best Western and Quality Inn on Steinwehr Avenue, but the Colton is less expensive if you book via Expedia. There are many great bars & restaurants within one block of the hotels. A Phil favorite is Gettysburg Eddies, which is a baseball bar with old time photos of HOF Eddie Plank, who grew up in Gettysburg. Rides Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th – and, of course…Apple, Peach and Pumpkin Pies après ride to go with your beers! Questions? Call Phil at 301-693-4503….or use the web contact page.
