Author: William Smith

  • Coming Up Summer/Fall 2026

    Pedal Pittsburgh is approaching quickly.  We van to Pittsburgh on July 12 and begin riding the next day.  On Monday 13th we ride to Ohiopyle.  Tuesday to Deep Creek.  The next day to Rocky Gap, Thursday we reach Clear Spring, and finish in Frederick on Friday the 17th.  Contact us for more information.  Time is running short, so join us in 2027 if you can.  This is a difficult ride (climbs and distance) but is very enjoyable and low-key.  GPS routes to be posted soon.

    Pedal Pittsburgh One-Day Option

    We are offering a one-day option to ride with the final day of Pedal Pitt 2 Frederick cyclists on Friday July 17 (Clear Spring MD to Frederick). Join us in Clear Spring on Friday July 17th (You would need to be there by 6:15am) *.

    Then we ride the 60-mile course to Frederick, passing through Williamsport, the Antietam Battlefield, Harpers Ferry, Brunswick, Braddock Heights, and then down to Frederick at the Comfort Inn on route 40.
    Route sheets, GPS course, rest stops, marked roads, and SAG included.

    Costs are $75 and INCLUDE Transportation BACK to your car in Clear Spring, MD after the ride.

    *For those that want to come up Thursday afternoon rather than having to leave early Friday, we can secure a room at the Holiday Inn Express for you. Add $140 room costs. Each room has two beds for a roommate if you have one.
    Contact us ASAP....time is running out.

    PS....The course is beautiful with very low car volume and historic sites the whole way. Elevation climbs for the 60 miles are approximately 3900 feet.
    Phil: 301-693-4504

    The First Ever Little League World Series & PA Grand Canyon Bike Ride Extravaganza (Monday, August 20th to Wednesday Aug 22nd)

    Early Monday (6am) morning the 20th, Jeanette & Phil will leave Pittsburgh and head to Williamsport PA. We should arrive by 9:30am. (From DC or Baltimore, it is a bit longer.)

    Then we will park the car near the fields and head to the Little League WS game. (There is NO CHARGE for the games, and you can usually park your car for $5-10.)
    Then watch the non-USA teams play at noon. After, we will head north for the one-hour drive to Wellsboro PA. Check in to our hotel there, drinks & dinner to follow.

    Tuesday the 21st: Ride the PA Canyon at 7:30am to 12:30pm on the very flat, first-class Pine Creek Trail (Rail Trail Guide). Then clean up and head back down to Williamsport for the USA games from 3pm to 7pm. Then back up to Wellsboro for dinner, etc.
    Wednesday morning the 22nd: Ride the Canyon again that morning. Then we will head back down to Williamsport for one more USA Little League game at 3pm. After the game, we will head back home.
    Anyone who is interested in joining us for some or all, contact us and we will send motel and other information.

    Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie Fall Classic Friday, Oct 9th-Sunday, Oct 11th

    Drive to Frostburg MD Friday October 9: Stay overnight (make your own hotel reservations) .... enjoy dinner, drinks, etc....optional 26-mile ride down to Cumberland & back that afternoon.

    Saturday morning October 10: We ride bikes to Deep Creek, MD. Our SAG van carries your luggage; rest stops along the way. Cue sheets and GPS route provided. Course is marked with arrows and is a Ride Genius Approved Classic!

    Three hotel options (Lake Front recommended), or close by Comfort Inn (cheaper, but nice), or Wisp. Again, make your own reservations. Happy Hour included on the grass beach at the Lake Front Lodge. Dinner options are close by.

    Sunday October 11: We head back to Frostburg along one of the most scenic & beautiful routes ever. Route cue sheets, SAG & luggage, rest stops, route markings and GPS route included.

    Costs are $150 per cyclist and includes SAG, rest stops, happy hour, GPS routes, and painted road markings.

    Send Venmo or check to secure your spot. Hotel #'s and suggestions to follow.
    Phil: 301-693-4503
  • New River Gorge, WV – Oct 2025

    New River Gorge, WV – Oct 2025

    Apples, Peaches Rides October 16-18, 2025

    Oct 16, 17th and 18th at New River Gorge, WV
    Scenic rides and hikes
    Info (Wikipedia)
    Attractions
    Lodging

    More to come.
    No Fees, just make your own hotel reservations. For more info: pheffler@aol.com or 301-693-4503.
  • Birthday Ride/Abandoned PA Turnpike Tunnels Ride

    The Birthday/Abandoned PA Turnpike Tunnels ride is scheduled for May 10 (Saturday).  See older posts for more information (and the calendar).  Arrive Breezewood by 10:45 am for a 11:00 am departure.  We will do lunch after at the Mountain House Restaurant (18734 Lincoln Hwy, McConnellsburg, PA 17233).  Bring a headlight for the tunnels.  Tire widths of at least 25mm are recommended.
  • Ride Genius Birthday Ride Pushed Back a Bit

    The weather for Saturday's (April 12) closed section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike ride is not great, so we are postponing it to a later date when spring actually arrives. 

    Update: The ride will occur on Saturday, May 10.

    We will keep you posted. In the meantime, keep your stick on the ice.
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • Apples, Peaches – Update Sept 30, 2024

    Basics for the 21st running of the Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie Bicycle Ride, Saturday, October 19th

    Start & finish from the Clear Spring Holiday Inn Express (301-842-0290 for overnight Reservations). You need to make your own reservations, or, for those that are not staying over, just be there at 10am Saturday morning.

    Hotel (start location) address: 12426 Houck Ave, Clear Spring, MD 21722

    10:30 am Saturday ride start.

    Choose between 28- or 66- mile courses.

    -After-ride Happy Hour (beers & wine) and our traditional Pie Feast (Apple & Pumpkin Pies, plus Peaches). Hence the name of the ride!

    -Both courses start at 10:30am and ride together for the first 9 miles before the shorter 28-miler starts its return.

    -And both are mostly rolling with smooth, low traffic roads.

    -Courses will be GPS- and Garmin-friendly, plus have road markings.

    -NO rest stops but both courses have convenience stores along the way.

    -Optional Sunday morning ride (9am....20-30 miles....Big Pool or Hancock Md and back).

    -We will also be going to Al's Italian Restaurant at 6pm (optional, no reservations needed). This place has GREAT Food...ie.....YUM YUM!

    301-693-4503 for more info or pheffler@aol.com

    Ride With GPS routes to be placed on the website soon.
  • 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.
  • Been on a Ride Genius Tour? How was it?

    Hi folks. We want to place some testimonials and stuff on the website. We’ve added a couple, but a few more would be nice. We know you had fun with us, so put it in writing and Phil will buy your lunch on a ride (kidding – he never said that). Just reply to this post…and thanks.