Southeast - Knoxville Area Riding

My wife has nearly convinced me to spend a few years in TN...which I didn't want to do at first, but spending time with her family is starting to grow on me...2 of them ride and I like going with them.

So first off I was thinking of possibly moving to Knoxville...or close by. What is the riding like? Is the commuting good? How are restaurant jobs...if anyone happens to know...do they pay well?

It seems to be a good cycling city, but I want to see what others think.

There's some nice riding around, particularly outside the city. Scenic rolling countryside. And the mountains aren't far away, if you're into climbing.

Commuting is hit or miss. Most roads were not build with cycling in mind. Some areas are OK; other parts of town are bad.

I'm not sure about restaurant jobs. The area, like many other places, has been hammered with job losses this month.

Knoxville has a modest-sized cycling community. It won't be confused with some California towns by any means, but there are riders out there.

I would suggest trying to get a job downtown where there are many (apparently thriving) restaurants, and finding a place to live in one of the nearby trolleyburbs. West Knoxville is probably the least bike-friendly part of town.

I live close-in south -- it is a pleasant 3-mile ride to work down town from here, and I have access to all the good riding in south Knox and adjacent counties from my door.

Some resources: Smoky Mountain Wheelmen (http://www.smwbike.org/main/index.html); Knox metro area bike program (http://www.knoxtrans.org/plans/bikeprog.htm); new bike routes book (http://www.miniadventureseries.com/)