Santaria

How is the environment for commuting via bike in Knoxville, TN?

Seems like a pretty simple question - but I'm very curious as it looks like that's one of the three potential places for me to finish my PhD. So I'm feeling out the water on the three main things I do.

Bike commuting; cyclocross and climbing (bouldering).

david58

Grew up in the area and went to UT for my BS. Well, I already could BS before I went, but that's another story...

I can't speak too directly to the commuting environment without knowing where you would live. Distance to campus and from what direction would have an impact. Overall, Knoxville is a hilly city, with an old infrastructure, and the geography dictates where the roads go. I haven't been riding long enough to give Knoxville a close look in cycling context, since I don't go home to often now that my family is basically all passed on.

I am sure that if cyclocross races are held there, you will have some interesting courses. Some good ones.

We used to climb and boulder on private land. I don't know how access is today - we had some great spots. But up toward Lafollette are some good rocks (overlooking town), and generally you can find great bouldering all over East Tennessee. Just a couple of hours east you get to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and there is some GREAT climbing in the Pisgah NF and the parkway is beautiful cycling.

Didn't answer the commute question well, but the area is nice.

atbman

You might find some useful info on:

https://www.bikewalktn.org/
https://knoxrevolution.com/
https://www.tbra.org/index.php

zoltani

The bike scene in Knoxville has been growing for quite a few years, and I definitely see more cyclists when I visit these days compared to when I lived there. If you live near campus you will not have any problem, as downtown and everything you need is within good cycling distance. There are two large supermarkets about 4 miles from campus accessible by MUP (first creek greenway) for the entire distance, very convenient.

I remember encountering some hostility from drivers back when I rode around there 5 years ago, but I was recently back for a few months and didn't get the same attitude. Though it was winter and I wasn't riding all that much.

Fort sanders is a neighborhood close to campus lots of students, and everything that goes with that, good and bad.

Forth and gill is a neighborhood close to downtown and campus, and also has quite a few students, but not the same party atmosphere.

Old north knoxville is also a neighborhood worth checking out, close to forth and gill and downtown.

Sutherland avenue is also a great place to live, and has easy access to the MUP that goes to campus and downtown.

Personally I would avoid living too far into west knoxville unless you like wide high speed roads and strip malls.

Make sure to check out Tennessee Valley Bicycles
https://tnvalleybikes.com/tvb/

Maps and such
https://www.knoxtrans.org/plans/bikeprog.htm

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

zoltani

Oh yeah, great climbing in Eastren TN!

The Obed is freaking amazing

https://www.greenergrasspublishing.co...e-wild-scenic/

david58

East Tennessee is simply a hidden treasure, only a few non-Tennesseans have any idea what is there in the way of outdoor fun.

zoltani

Indeed, my memories of Tennessee wilderness include SOLITUDE, something that is more difficult to find in the pacific northwest...
Beautiful scenery and amazing areas here, but people actually use the trails and wilderness, whereas in TN a mile or two down a trail and there will likely be no one.