It’s always fun to inject play into work time, but how about the commute?
Break free from the same old routine next Friday, May 17, with the 19th annual Bike to Work Day. Save gas and money and get in some exercise before you hit your desk for the day.
You can even make it a social event. Riders from different parts of town will gather to convoy to Market Square, where, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., two-wheeled commuters can pick up free coffee and a goodie from Status Dough and I Bike KNX.
Market Square-bound convoys include:
- 6:45 a.m. Halls. Meet at Ace Hardware in Halls Center, 6950 Maynardville Pike.
- 7:15 a.m. North Knoxville. Meet at Office Depot/Food City parking lot on Broadway, 4212 N. Broadway.
- 7:15 a.m. East Knoxville. Meet at Holston River Park, 3300 Holston Hills Road (top parking lot by pavilion).
- 7:15 a.m. Bearden. Meet at Third Creek Greenway trailhead, 130 Forest Park Blvd.
- 7:30 a.m. South Knoxville. Meet at 3701 Sevierville Pike (southeast corner of Sevierville Pike and Lancaster).
You don’t have to miss out on the movement if your commute doesn’t take you downtown or if your schedule involves different hours. Several local businesses are offering rewards for biking to work May 17, including:
- Wild Love Bakehouse – free cup of coffee
- Three Rivers Market – free drink (under $2)
- SoKno Taco – 10 percent discount
- Casual Pint – $1 off beer
- Status Dough – free cup of coffee
- Honeybee – free drip coffee
- Bliss – $5 gift card
- Pace – use promo code ibike2workon May 17 for a $5 credit
If competition gets your motor running, I Bike KNX is offering Bike Month prizes in several categories. Check out the website.
Many more activities for bicyclists are listed in the Outdoor Knoxville calendar. You can also find fun things to do outside for Mother’s Day and the next 10 days, including info on the next Open Streets Knoxville, coming up Sunday, May 19.
Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to ensuring that our community enjoys exceptional recreational opportunities, natural beauty and open spaces, and that those assets exist for generations to come.