Author: theadmindude

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Upcoming Events for 2025

Some added rides for 2025, in addition to the Pedal Pittsburgh to MD ride July 13th thru the 18th:

1-Apples, Peaches ride; Columbus Day weekend.  Saturday, October 11th & Sunday the 12th.  Saturday's ride is the same as last year's Clear Spring route and we have a new ride for Sunday that will head north to PA and then south to Hancock and back to Clear Spring, MD...48 miles...really two beautiful routes.

2-Yellow Ribbon Ride, October 18th, Gettysburg, PA.  Support our Vets on this day as we ride through and around Gettysburg battlefields.

3-The Fil Heffler Birthday ride, Saturday, April 12th.  Challenge yourself (and ME TOO!...72 yrs old YUK!) as we ride some Catoctin Hollow Epic climbs...with a Cactus Flats Cheeseburger après ride.

4-The return to Wellsboro and the PA Grand Canyon ride...TBD

5-The REX Ballinger Retirement Ride .....HOPEFULLY May 2025........BUT MAYBE  2026*....27....28....29.....or 2030....?

* When we plan Rex's Retirement, one is reminded of Yogi Berra's Quote...."IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER!!!" 

We start by Conquering Hamburg...(aka...Rex Blvd)..and then north to Thurmont before returning to Frederick with a 50mph descent down the Dubble Bubble.....WOOHOO!

PLAN ACCORDINGLY....These rides are too great to miss!
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day rides Pittsburgh

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!
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Frederick Pittsburgh tours

Pedal Pittsburgh to Frederick 2025

The 2025 Pedal Pittsburgh 2 Maryland bicycle ride will be July 13th thru the 19th in 2025.  Five days of riding, with over 310 miles of beautiful, low volume roads. Some optional bits on the GAP trail.  Transportation back, Full SAG and Hotel overnights included.  Contact us via this website.
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Apples peaches

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.
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Apples peaches weekend rides

Apples, Peaches – Update Oct 18, 2024

Rides begin at the Holiday Inn Express in Clear Spring MD
Departure time 10:30 am

Ride With GPS Collection (GPS files and maps)

CUE SHEETS

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Categories
Apples peaches

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)

Categories
Apples peaches

Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie Fall Tradition Ride


* Saturday, Oct 19th, 2024

We stay at the Clear Spring MD Holiday Inn Express.  (make your own reservations)

10am start from the hotel.  Choose between a 30- or 60-mile ride.  Rolling terrain, low traffic with beautiful mountain views.

5pm.  Dinner across the street at a really great Italian Restaurant.

* Sunday the 20th.  9am.  A classic ride to Hancock and back.  25 miles.  Then we head home.

$30 costs - which covers road selections, painted, marked courses, cue sheets and GPS routes on ridewithgps, and a happy hour Saturday after the ride.

Contact us for more details.
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Jim Thorpe Pine Creek

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.
Categories
tours

Pittsburgh to Frederick 2024

A 5 Day ROAD Ride from Pittsburgh to Historic Frederick, MD (The Mecca of road riding!)

Sunday, July 7th Thru Friday the 12th, 2024 * See Below

  • 2 options:

1-For those that live in the Mid-Atlantic. We meet Sunday morning (July 7th) in Frederick at 8:30am. Then we load your bike and luggage on our truck, and we van you up to the 5-Star Sheraton Station Square Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. Beautiful city with lots of sight-seeing and an optional ride through Pittsburgh that afternoon. Then we leave Pitt the following morning (July 8th) by bicycle.

2-For those that live in Pittsburgh area. We meet at the Sheraton for a Meet & Greet Happy Hour at the Sheraton Hotel at 5pm. Then, all cyclists leave Monday Morning (July 8th at 7:30am) for Day One. Upon finishing the tour on Friday in Frederick, we stay overnight in beautiful downtown Frederick. Then we van you and your bike back to Pittsburgh Saturday morning the 13th.

5 Days of riding over 300 miles of scenic, low volume roads with full support, luggage transport, SAG, rest stops every 20-25 miles, & hotel, motel & B&B’s included….and après ride happy hours daily.

And OH! Did I mention? The courses are boldly marked with directional arrows as well as GPS & route sheets to guide you along each day with 2 SAG vehicles always within a few miles from the riders.

Here are the daily destinations with approximate mileage **

Day 1. Pitt to Ohiopyle, PA. 72 scenic miles along PA’s Rust Belt. We stay adjacent to the Mighty Youghiogheny River. Bring your swimming gear, the Yough is great for cooling off after a long ride! 5600 feet of climbing.

Day 2. Ohiopyle to Deep Creek, MD. 60 miles with a climb up & over PA’s tallest point, Mt Davis. We stay at the Lake Front Hotel (Deep Creek’s best) with a grass beach from your room to the lake. 5000 feet of climbs.

Day 3. Deep Creek to Cumberland MD. 64 miles over the prettiest and greatest ride ever! Photo ops galore. 5500 feet of climbs. We stay in historic downtown Cumberland at the Fairfield Hotel.

Day 4. Cumberland to Clear Spring, MD. 5 mountain climbs today. We stay at the Holiday Inn Express in quaint Clear Spring MD. 54 miles with 5500 feet of climbs.

Day 5. Clear Spring to Frederick, MD. 58 miles with 3000 feet of climbs. For those from the Mid-Atlantic, the ride is over. For those from the Pittsburgh area, we stay overnight in historic, Civil War Frederick. Great restaurants, bars and sight-seeing. Then we van you back to Pittsburgh Saturday, July 13th.

Double occupancy cost is $1499. Single occ $1750. A $350 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. Balance due June 7, 2024.

For more Info: Call Phil Heffler at 301-693-4503 or email at Pheffler@Aol.com

** Pedal Frederick is not an easy ride. Cyclists should train well prior to the event to ensure maximum enjoyment during the week.

Categories
weekend rides

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!