Author: Phil Heffler

  • 2026 GAP/Road Combo Ride (Fall 2026)

    2026 GAP/Road Combo Ride (Fall 2026)

    The first ever Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Md COMBO Ride!  

    What the hell is a Combo Ride? Well, after years of hearing so many cyclists claim that they would like to do a ride from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Md, BUT....do NOT want to do the same old same old of three days along the GAP Trail ONLY!

    And we AGREE! Yes, the GAP is a wonderful experience, but it does get really repetitive.

    So, we are introducing the first ever Pittsburgh to Cumberland Combo ride where we do BOTH one and a half days on the GAP, and one and a half days along some of the most beautiful & scenic roads in Western Pa and Md. AND....as ALWAYS, the road sections have been thoroughly vetted by the Ride Genius Team, ensuring low volume roads with paved surfaces. Please NOTE that the road sections do have climbs and are NOT for any riders who disdain hills!

    Dates for this 3-day ride will be this Fall (sometime between Sept 13th and Sept 24th & will be finalized by May 25th).

    Ride fees will include full SAG, hotel stays, transportation*, luggage service daily, rest stops, Ride With GPS routes, and daily après-ride Happy Hours!

    For more Info: Call Phil Heffler 301-693-4503, email Phil at <pheffler@aol.com>, or use the website contact form.

    Equipment: We suggest bringing a bike that is suited for road and trail, such as something with tires at least 28mm wide (but 32 is better).

    * Starting points & transportation is tricky, due to the fact that we will have two different starting points.

    Option 1: For those that are from the Pittsburgh area. They will start the ride in Boston, Pa on day 1. Then, after day 3's ride into Cumberland, Md we will transport you, your luggage, and bicycle back to Pittsburgh. Expected ride fees to be $949 double occupancy & $1,249 single.

    Option 2: For those that are from the DC, Baltimore & Mid-Atlantic. These riders & gear will be picked up a day earlier in Cumberland, Md, and then transported to Pittsburgh for the next day's ride start. Because of the extra costs of truck rentals, overnight hotel stays, etc. in Pittsburgh, add $150 to the ride costs, So $1199 double occupancy & $1399 single.

  • Pedal Pittsburgh to Frederick 2026

    Pedal Pittsburgh to Frederick 2026

    The 2026 Pedal Pittsburgh to Frederick (MD, a.k.a. PP2F) is totally supported with daily SAG support, luggage transport, rest stops, hotel reservations, post-ride happy hours, marked courses (bright white arrows), GPS and two SAG vehicles following close by for the 305 miles, over 5 days.

    NOTE: For those riders from the Pittsburgh area, we start Monday Morning at 7:30am from Downtown Pitt at the Joinery Hotel. For those that are from the Mid Atlantic, we van you to Pittsburgh on Sunday morning, July 12th, from Frederick, MD.

    Here is each day’s mileage, stays, etc.:

    • Day 0 (Sunday, July12): Van transportation for bikes and luggage from Frederick MD to Pittsburgh, PA for those who live near Frederick.

    • Day 1 (Monday, July 13): We leave from downtown Pittsburgh and take the GAP trail to McKeesport (all paved). Then we pick up the roads from there all the way to Ohiopyle Pa. 72 miles, with rolling hills and one big climb into our overnight. Ohiopyle has some neat restaurants (as do every night’s stays).

    • Day 2 (Tuesday, July 14): Ohiopyle to Deep Creek, MD. 61 miles. We go over Mt. Davis (PA's highest point) early this day, before about 15 miles of terrific down hills along perfectly smooth & low traffic roads to Grantsville, MD and lunch, Then it's 25 miles to Deep Creek & our stay on the lake at the 5-star Lake Front Lodge. There is a grass beach there so bring swimming gear.

    • Day 3 (Wednesday, July 15): Voted the most scenic & beautiful ride of the week! Deep Creek to Rocky Gap Resort (Near Cumberland MD). 65 miles with the majority downhill as we start at 2400 ft above sea level and wind up 25 miles later in Westernport MD at 500 ft above. Most of it is along the Savage River, which is incredible! Then, after a long but easy 14-mile climb (3% grade) to Frostburg MD, we finish with another 14-mile downhill to Cumberland and then on to Rocky Gap (If you are a golfer, bring your clubs along; some are playing the championship course that day....3:30 pm tee off time). Or just take in a swim or maybe some Blackjack at the Casino!

    • Day 4 (Thursday, July 16): 52 miles over five mountains – Martin’s, Polish, Green, Town Hill, & Sideling all the way to Hancock MD for lunch, then 18 miles to our overnight at Clear Spring MD and a quaint dinner at an Italian Restaurant. A FAVORITE Day for hill climbers (5400 feet of climbs with great views and long, safe descents).

    • Day 5 (Friday, July 17): Clear Spring to Frederick, MD. 63 miles along some truly picturesque Civil War battlefields and historic sites (Antietam, Harpers Ferry WV, site of the John Brown's attempt to take over the Union's armory.) Literally a masterpiece of Civil War sites! After Harpers Ferry, we lunch at Brunswick MD before our final climb over the Catoctin Mts and down into Frederick MD (The MECCA of Road Cycling with even more historic sites with great restaurants).

    • Then, after a one-night stay in Frederick, we van you, your luggage, and your bike back to Pittsburgh on Saturday morning (July 18). ETA back in Pitt at 12:30pm.

    Costs are $1300 for Double Occupancy & $1750 for Single Occupancy. We currently have a few spots open. 11 signed up so far; this is a small tour – we can handle 16 (five more people).

    For more info call Phil Heffler at 301-693-4503 or use the website contact form.

    Also:

    --- We will be hosting a 3-day Pitt to Cumberland MD COMBO ride (both the roads & GAP Trail) that will be between September 13th - September 24th. Exact dates to be decided soon. Costs for all @ $950 double occupancy and $1250 single.

    --- A 3-day ride at the PA Grand Canyon Pine Creek Rail-Trail with two days seeing the Little League World Series in Williamsport PA. August 2026. No fees for this one, just make your own hotel reservations.
  • Deep Creek MD – October 4 2025

    I am looking at doing a one-day ride Saturday, October 4th, at Deep Creek, MD.

    We would stay at & ride* from the Lake Front Lodge at 10:30am, do a 43-miler down the Savage River along the PP2MD Spring Lick Rd route that we did in July, and then reverse up the river and climb Dry Run Rd (this would be a different climb from the downhill). Dry Run is a Cat 3 climb...tough but doable...total climbing is 3600 ft.

    *Timing Tip: From Frederick or Pittsburgh, Deep Creek is a 2-hour drive, so plan on leaving by 7am to give enough time to get ready Saturday morning before the ride starts (10:30am).

    We would stay overnight at the Lake Front Lodge, which has lake-adjacent rooms @ $230 a night. Water should still be warm so bring your swim trunks!

    We are calling this ride the OFFICIAL REX BALLINGER RETIREMENT RIDE...Who is finally throwing in the Towel!

    In lieu of a gold watch, just buy him a walking cane, prune juice or a membership to AARP!

    For those that have never ridden this course, it is a 5-star ride, and got RAVE reviews from ALL who did it on Pedal Pitt 2 Md in July.

    $30 ride fee includes cue sheets, GPS routes, & après ride snacks/beers/sodas.

    Please let me know by August 15th so I can make the needed reservations.

    Note: Some rooms have two beds, some king-only, so if you want to share a room, act quickly, as they will fill up.

    OR...For those who just want to ride & do not want to stay overnight, you can use one of my rooms to shower, etc. before heading back home.

    Fil

  • End of May Update

    Pictures from May’s Abandoned Turnpike Ride are here:

    https://ridegeniusbiketours.com/pa-turnpike-2025-photo-gallery

    Training Rides for Pedal Pittsburgh to Frederick:

    I am planning on coming down to Fred for back-to-back training rides, Saturday, May 31st & Sunday, June 1st. Both will be + 40 milers with +50 mile options. And one of the rides (probably Saturday's) going up & over the Catoctin Mts to High Rock Md (Beautiful Views).
    RSVP please...Garmin and route sheets provided.
    Fil

  • Ride Genius Birthday Ride 2025 – GPS links

    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

  • Ride Genius Birthday Ride

    Ride Genius Birthday Ride

    April 12 – Ride Genius Birthday ride near Breezewood PA
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Edit (March 26):
    The ridewithGPS link is below:
    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50096378
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    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

    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.