Category: day rides

Bike rides of only one day – typically short rides.

  • 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
  • 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

  • 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.
  • 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 – 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.