Bicycling endurance test returns to Montour Trail
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More than 400 cyclists already have registered to pedal between 6 and 62 miles in the Thermo Fisher Tour the Montour rides Saturday that all begin and end in Coraopolis.
And there's room for more riders, according to event officials. Registration will open at 7 a.m. Saturday -- 45 minutes before the first of six events.
The 8th annual ride last year set an attendance record with 475 cyclists.
"It gets bigger every year," said Tim Killmeyer, a long-time member of the Montour Trail Council. "We expect to pass last year's attendance record with over 500 this year."
The ride begins and ends at Montour Trail mile "0" in Groveton on Route 51 midway between Interstate 79 and the Coraopolis Bridge.
Here is the ride schedule:
• The 62-mile riders depart at 7:45.
• The 44-mile riders depart at 8:15.
• The 15- and 24-mile riders depart at 8:30.
• The 6-mile family ride departs at 9.
Lunch will be served at the Brothers Grimm Restaurant in Robinson.
Motorists should be aware that Hassam Road in Moon will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon for a side event, King of the Mountain Challenge.
The event is not part of the trail ride. It's a strength and endurance test for riders who will be timed individually for their ride up a 7/10-mile hill.
The average grade is 8 percent. Miles of Smiles Timing Services will provide computer chip timing. The fastest male and female each will win a bicycle jersey.
Registration is $30 for adults, $5 for children. There is a special rate of $50 for a family of four, but that only applies to the 6- and 15-mile rides.
Proceeds go to maintain and improve the Montour Trail. The event is sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Montour Trail Council.
In other trail news, work is expected to begin in about two weeks on the final phase of the Airport Connector. The council hopes work should be completed by the end of October.
First Published September 22, 2011 5:19 am
