Ride Genius Bike Tours

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  • Ride Genius Birthday Ride

    Ride Genius Birthday Ride

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

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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 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

    28-Apples-Peaches_-24-10-18-
    43-Apples-Peaches_-24-10-18-
    66-Apples-Peaches_-24-10-18-

  • 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 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)

  • 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.

  • 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.