Students in a service-learning class in UT’s Haslam College of Business will host the Tour de Knox bike rally from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. Sunday, April 24, beginning at UT Parking Lot 9, located at the corner of Phillip Fulmer Way and Peyton Manning Pass.
Proceeds from the bike rally benefit Knoxville’s Legacy Parks Foundation, which works to expand parks, create trails, and increase access to rivers in East Tennessee. The cost to participate is $15 for adults and $10 for UT students. It is free for children twelve and under.
In the tour, billed as a “scavenger hunt on wheels,” participants receive a map of locations where they can receive tickets to win prizes supplied by local businesses and organizations.
The locations are scattered around campus and nearby greenways, including the Bearden area and Cherokee Farm. The farther the location is from the rally’s starting point, the more tickets a participant can receive.
“People really get caught up in this event,” said Ernie Cadotte, professor of learning innovation. “Participants study the map in groups to figure out how to get the most tickets and then fan out in different directions.”
Prizes will include bicycles, helmets, pumps, bike computers, and clothing. Partners this year include Echelon Bicycles in Farragut, REI, and Kickstand, a local bike collective.
“Free bikes and helmets will be provided by UT’s Outdoor Program, Legacy Parks, and Kickstand,” Cadotte said. “You don’t even need a bike to join the rally.”
Senior Evan Grisham, a supply chain management major with a concentration in business analytics, has helped plan the event.
“Going out to find sponsors for an event is something new to me,” he said. “Promoting, advertising, and marketing the event using Facebook, the website, and handling registration have been great experiences.”
Paige Hoffman, a senior majoring in recreation and sports management with a business minor, is also on the organizing team.
“I’m excited and ready to see it all come together,” she said. “It’s going to be great when we see everybody having a fun time.”
Hoffman added that students helping to organize the event recently biked the trail themselves.
“It really showed me that biking in Knoxville is feasible, safe, and fun,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to give a big check to Legacy Parks.”
Riders of any age and ability are encouraged to attend, and there will be a safety overview for all who plan to participate. Participants can register online or at 1:00 p.m. the day of the event.
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CONTACT:
Gerhard Schneibel (865-974-2894, gschneib@utk.edu)
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)