If it has been awhile since you were introduced to the Montour Trail, or if you never have had the pleasure, don't miss the sixth annual Fisher Scientific Tour the Montour Trail Ride Sept. 20.

The full-service tour begins at mile zero off of Route 51 near Coraopolis. Volunteer attendants will show you where to park. There are four pick-your-distance rides -- 6, 12, 24 and 44 miles. Light refreshments will be available at each turnaround site.

The registration cost for adults is $20 -- if you register by Friday; the family rate for up to four persons is $35. Those rates go up another $5 after that day. The cost for children 12 and younger is $5.

All proceeds benefit the trail's maintenance and expansion.

If you pedal to Mile 7.7, Ron and Sandra Snatchko, who own and operate The Enlow Station ice cream shop at the Five Points intersection, will reward you with a free ice cream cone.

Other highlights along the scenic trail include the Enlow Tunnel and the McDonald Trestle.

There will be a pasta-based picnic after the ride at Mile 0, thanks to Coraopolis' Jabby Joe's restaurant and Anthony's Original Wholesale Produce, Coca-Cola and Gladys Shaffer of Shaffer's Pizza-Bakery of Ringgold, Jefferson County. You won't go home hungry or thirsty.

Bike services from Trek Bicycles of Pittsburgh will be available at the start, but it is for emergency repairs only. You and your bike are expected to be in good shape. Trail marshals will patrol the course for safety, and helmets are mandatory for all riders.

The trail will be open to the public, so don't be surprised to see walkers and runners along with other bicyclists. Sound a friendly "on your left" warning to those you are about to pass.

The Montour Trail, one of many multi-use, non-motorized recreational rail-trails near Pittsburgh, eventually will extend 46 miles from Moon Township near Coraopolis to Clairton.

Although more than 40 miles have been completed in various sections, it is not yet possible to ride that distance without using detours. New sections are added each year.

The trail is covered with crushed limestone. There's a four-mile, on-road connection from the Montour Trail in Clairton to the Great Allegheny Passage in McKeesport. Just follow the signs.

In addition to bicycling, the Montour Trail and the passage are ideal for walking, running, cross-country skiing and nature appreciation. Horseback riding also is permitted in certain sections but not on the improved trail surface.

The Montour Trail Council, a non-profit all-volunteer group, is building, operating, and maintaining the trail. The council also manages the segment of the Panhandle Trail that runs through Allegheny County.

That 29-mile section, which runs between Carnegie and Weirton, W.Va., is named for the Panhandle Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the abandoned rail line upon which it is built. There is a 2.5 mile unimproved gap in the middle. Be careful of the road detour.

For more information on the Montour Trail, go to www.montourtrail.org or call 412-257-3011.

The eighth annual Rock the Quarry, a celebration with music, food and games for adults and children, will be held from 5-11 p.m. Friday and from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Walkers Mill trailhead of the Panhandle Trail.

The musical headliners will be the Bill Ali Band at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Buc Wyld at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

There will be free admission and parking, but donations to the Collier Friends of the Panhandle Trail always are welcome.

To get there, take Interstate 79 to Exit 57. Go west (toward Oakdale) on Noblestown Road for 1.5 miles to Walkers Mill. Park in the Collier Township maintenance yard or the trailhead parking lot.

For more information, go to www.panhandletrail.org, e-mail panhandletrail@gmail.com or call 724-693-0870.