Category: Pittsburgh

  • Pedal Pittsburgh to Frederick 2026 RWGPS and Cue Sheets

    We're almost there.  Below are the links that you will find useful for navigation.

    Monday (Pittsburgh-Ohiopyle): RWGPS Fit File Cues
    Tuesday (Ohiopyle-Deep Creek): RWGPS Fit File Cues
    Wednesday (Deep Creek-Rocky Gap): RWGPS Fit File Cues
    Thursday (Rocky Gap-Clear Spring): RWGPS Fit File Cues
    Thursday Short (shorter/flatter): RWGPS Fit File Cues
    Friday (Clear Spring-Frederick): RWGPS Fit File Cues
    Entire Collection

    For those on the tour, watch your email for more info.

  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • 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.