Bicyclist pedals message of friendship, charity

Aug. 11, 2006
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon @ fredericknewspost . com

   FREDERICK — Phil Heffler found it strange that most of his childhood friends gave up riding bikes when they were 13 years old.
     He kept riding his bike, and 40 years later, still does.
     “I spend more money on my bikes than I do on my cars,” Mr. Heffler said.
     Now his friends call him the ride genius.
     Since coming to Frederick — he moved from Pittsburgh to Baltimore in 1981, and then to Frederick in 1994 — Mr. Heffler has introduced about 40 residents to cycling and has organized more than 20 rides — some for charity and others for sport.
     “I just enjoy seeing people new to the sport improve their physical conditioning while building the bonds of friendship,” he said. “You get to know people much better when you sweat your butt off and almost have a heart attack together.”
     Mr. Heffler is best known for the annual Catoctin Challenge bike ride. The two-day ride winds through the Catoctin Mountains to raise money to help those in need.
     Over the past seven years, the challenge has raised more than $210,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County. His goal for the 12th ride next year is to raise about $135,000.
     David Ozag, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, said the bike ride is the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year.
     “It means so much for us in terms of exposure, and the bike challenge lets us spread our wings outside of Frederick County,” he said. “But the nicest thing is Phil just takes the bull by the horns and puts our name to good use to raise money.”
     Mr. Ozag said many people don't realize Habitat for Humanity does more than just build homes; it also provides interest-free loans to approved homeowners.
     “People think we raise money to give people free homes, but that's just not the case,” he said.
     The money raised by the bike rides paid for the construction of three houses in Frederick County, Mr. Ozag said.
     Mr. Heffler said the homes show that donated money is put to good use.
     “I ride by and I can see a family living there who would otherwise be renting, and it's a point of pride for them to receive a hand up and not a handout,” he said in his garage, which doubles as a bike shop.
     Half a dozen bikes hang from the walls, and tools line a worktable. Mr. Heffler names the bikes after race horses, historic figures and popular culture icons. He keeps three handy to loan to beginners.
     Red Fred was built in Frederick. Tweety Bird is a bright yellow racer. Jolly Oop is a play on words that combines the brand name of the bike with one of his favorite race horses.
     Mr. Heffler rides a bike named Hannibal.
     “If Hannibal took elephants across the Alps, then this bike can take me over the Catoctins,” he said.
     A spray-painted starting line on the street in front of his home marks the beginning of a 239-mile ride to his home town.
     He used the line as a starting point for the fourth time Wednesday, joined by 15 cyclists and a mechanic. The group expects to reach Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.
     It's not the distance that's so challenging; it's the rough landscape.
     “I love the tough terrain, and it's phenomenally beautiful,” he said. “But if there's a pebble at the top of the mountain, we'll be sure to go over it.”