The 2013 Neighborhod Bike Ride was cancelled due to rain.
I viewed the 2013 route map and felt a different route might be safer and more fun.
Along with the 6th Avenue Mural, it would highlight several historic center-city neighborhoods.
The route I would like to propose highlights the following features:
- Market Square
- Gay Street
- Old City
- First Creek Greenway
- "Abbey Fields" community supported agriculture
- Parkridge Community / Historic Barber Homes
- 6th Avenue Mural (Installed Summer 2013)
- Old North Knoxville Neighborhood
- Fourth and Gill Neighborhood
- Emory Place Neighborhood
- Gay Street Streetscape
My preferred route also bypasses Olive Street, which has a slight dip unattractive to cyclists. My route also goes under I-40, highlighting the new 6th Avenue Mural Project.
Importantly, this route avoids crossing Hall of Fame Drive, particularly at Hall of Fame and Fourth Avenue, which is essentially a "blind" approach for drivers headed South on Hall of Fame. This direction also highlights Old North Knoxville.
Rather than follow Sixth Avenue, it is possible to take the Greenway; however my route as mapped follows Sixth Avenue prior to returning on Grainger North Fourth Avenue to Glenwood past Brownlow Elementary, and cruising down Luttrell towards Fourth Avenue and Emory Place before returning on Gay.
The difference in these two potential routes is less than one mile. Overall difference in gain is about 25 feet (207 - 174), The most significant gain is on Glenwood between Fourth and Luttrell (917 feet at 3.51 mi to 958 feet at 3.63 miles or a change of 41 feet in .12 miles, a 6.4% grade. This is actually not the steepest segment - the most significant grade is the climb from Gay and Magnolia back to Market Square.
Overall, the route I have outlined is slightly longer, but with more points of interest and greater safety.
View 2013 Neighborhood Bike Ride in a larger map
 |
| Proposed 2013 Route. 4.64 miles. Gain: 174 Feet |
View Proposed 2014 Neighborhood Bike Ride (T. Jessel) in a larger map
 |
| Proposed 2014 Bike Ride. 5.3 Miles. Gain 207 Feet. |
