Explore the great outdoors with fitness adventurer Missy Kane!
Join us for monthly outings to complete the 75-mile Mountain Commerce Challenge! We’ll hike, bike, paddle to discover new places, socialize with fun folks, have fun and get fit.
The adventures are free for Friends of Legacy Parks or $10 per event for non-friends. Additional fees apply for events requiring equipment rentals.
You can also complete the challenge on your own time.
Download the checklist and challenge cards below.
Participants who complete the Challenge will receive a Mountain Commerce Challenge t-shirt and patch!
Sharp’s Ridge Hike
May 12 at 9am
Distance: 3 Miles
Location: Sharp’s Ridge
Park at the end of the road at the top of the ridge and take the Firebreak trail until it ends back on the main road. Take a right and enter the Sharp Shin trail, which will take you 1.5 miles back to your starting point. Make sure you stop at the overlook and enjoy the beautiful views of Downtown Knoxville with the Great Smoky Mountains in the distance.
Sunset Paddle
June 6 at 5:30pm
Distance: 2.4 Miles
Location: Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center, 900 Volunteer Landing Lane, Knoxville, TN 37915
Join us at Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center for an evening paddle on the Tennessee River as the sun sets behind the downtown Knoxville skyline. Kayak rentals available for $30 or bring your own.
USA Cycling Bike Ride
June 23 at 4:30pm
Distance: 9.5 miles
Starting Location: Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center, 900 Volunteer Landing Lane, Knoxville, TN 37915
We’ll take an afternoon ride along the criterion course before the USA Cycling event. After the ride, hang around and watch the exiting cycling event! Bikes are available to rent from Knoxville Adventure Collective for $30.
Sunflower Bike Ride
July 9 at 4:30pm
Distance: 6 miles
Starting Location: Island Home Park, 2225 Estelle Circle, Knoxville, TN 37920
Take a ride along the Will Skelton Greenway to see the sunflower fields in full bloom. Bike rentals available from Knoxville Adventure Collective for $30.
Seven Islands Paddle
August 8 at 8:45am
Distance: 6 miles
Location: Seven Islands State Birding Park Boat Ramp, 2809 Kelly Ln, Kodak, TN 37764
Enjoy a group paddle on the beautiful French Broad River from Seven Islands to Cruze Landing! We will see a new view of Seven Islands State Birding Park from the water. Kayaks are available to rent for $30 and a shuttle service will be provided by Knoxville Adventure Collective.
Haw Ridge Bike Ride
August 31 at 5:30pm
Distance: 11.5 miles
Location: Haw Ridge Park, Old Edgemoor Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
We will ride from Haw Ridge on the greenway along the river to Melton Lake Park and back. Stick around for an optional group dinner afterwards.
Calloway Ridge Hike
September 8 at 9am
Distance: 3 miles
Location: S Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922
Hike Concord Park’s newest trail – a 1.5 mile trail that winds along the banks of the lake and through forest.
Riverfront Bike Ride
September 15 at 5:15pm
Distance: 10 miles
Starting Location: Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center, 900 Volunteer Landing Lane, Knoxville, TN 37915
We’ll bike along the greenway that follow the banks of the Tennessee River, from Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center through Cherokee Farm to the Marine Park and back. Bikes are available to rent from Knoxville Adventure Collective for $30.
Seven Islands Hike
October 6 at 9am
Distance: 5.5 miles
Location: Seven Islands State Birding Park, 2809 Kelly Lane, Kodak, TN 37764
Join us for a pleasant hike at the beautiful and pastoral Seven Islands State Birding Park. Expert birders will join us on the hike to tell us about the variety of species that can be found at the park.
I.C. King Hike
November 3 at 11am
Distance: 3 miles
Location: I.C. King Park, 2625 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920
We will break a sweat as we hike new trails with steady elevation gain and loop the fishing lake.
Tour de Lights
Date TBD
Distance: TBD
Starting Location: Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center, 900 Volunteer Landing Lane, Knoxville, TN 37915
We will team up and enjoy Knoxville’s best way to see christmas lights, on a bike riding through downtown!
Bonus Challenges
West Bicycles Tuesday Rides
Rides depart at 6:05 pm.
Join the C Group: Fun-Fitness-Friends at West Bicycles. We will ride 13.5mi – 22mi at a speed of 13-16mph. Road and Electric Bikes Welcomed. Find out more
Fountain City Pedaler Tuesday Night Rides
6:30pm – 8:30pm
This weekly ride continues all year long but may change trail locations. Routes vary each week. We will stay as a group and make plenty of stops to keep it that way. Check Facebook for meeting locations. Details and weather updates online.
Seven Islands Sunset Hike
May 27th, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Join Ranger Clare for this sunset hike along the Bobwhite Trail and across the pedestrian bridge to the island. We’ll discuss the birds, wildlife, plants, trees, and other wildlife. Cost $8. Register online.
TVB EZ Rider
Date: May 24 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Easy Rider is a beginner focused casual mountain bike ride aimed at increasing comfort with and knowledge of Knoxville’s local trail systems. This is a NO-drop group ride. We’re here to make sure you have a good time on two wheels. Mountain biking does require a basic level of strength and fitness, but the pace will be casual with a lot of breaks. There will be a ride leader and a ride sweeper, and everyone is encouraged to help those around them navigate the trails and obstacles. Ride distance varies between 3 and 10 miles depending on daylight and group skill level. Details online.
Cycology Saturday Road Rides
8:00 am – 10:30 am
Intermediate pace no-drop rides of 2 – 2.5 hours. Please have, at minimum, a beginner comfort level with riding safely in a group at flat road speeds of 18 – 20 mph. Not a ‘social’ ride; we will be developing paceline skills and including some race-pace sections with re-group points. The focus of the rides will be safe group riding while developing group ‘speed’ skills such as rotating pacelines and drafting. These will be great rides for those wanting to later move to advanced group rides and those happy to remain at intermediate speeds while developing advanced group riding skills. Weather permitting. Check Facebook for updates.
Third Saturday Hikes at UT Arboretum
9:00am – 11:00 am
Every third Saturday, enjoy the forests and trails in this lovely, wooded setting for a 2-mile hike to be enjoyable for all levels. No registration needed. Meet at the Visitor Center. No pets please. Details by Phone: 865-483-3571
Bike Zoo Saturday Bike Rides
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Weekly 3-hour ride of 50+ miles at a fast pace of 18/20 mph. Weather permitting. Updates on Facebook or visit their website
National Trails Day Hike at Seven Islands
June 3rd, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Celebrate National Trails Day by joining us for a 3-mile guided hike to explore the island loop trail. The terrain will be fairly flat and portions of the hike will be on the paved Bobwhite ADA Trail, but the Island Loop Trail is dirt and grass. This is one of TN State Parks’ signature hikes. Free. Register online.
National Trails Day Hike at Frozen Head
June 3rd, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for a ranger led 3-mile hike on the Judge Branch Trail. Meet at the Old Mac Trailhead. Free. Register online.
National Trails Day Hike at Fort Loudon State Park
June 3rd, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join Ranger Gamble for a special 2.5-mile guided hike through historic sites at the McGhee-Carson Wildlife Area. Learn about the history of the Little Tennessee River Valley from early indigenous inhabitants to European settlement and the time of the McGhee plantation. Free. Register online.
Cycology Cycles Greenway Rides
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Join us on Sundays for our greenway ride starting at Pearson Springs Park. Weather permitting. Details online.
Bearden Bike & Trail Tuesday Greenway Rides
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Please join us at the shop every Tuesday our social bike ride. Typical rides are 14-21 miles and last 90 minutes to 2 hours. All skill levels. We usually dine outdoors after the ride. We love riding on the Greenways and exploring downtown Knoxville. Weather permitting. Free. Details online.
Bearden Beer Market Monday Fun Runs
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Social run on Mondays leaving from Bearden Beer Market. Check Facebook for details and updates.
Cycology Intermediate Group Road Rides
Rides leave from the shop at 10:00 am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Route and pace determined by the leader and group. Route length is 30-35 miles at a 15-17 MPH average pace with regrouping along the route. Before joining these rides you should already have the general skills required to ride the roads safely with car traffic. Register online.
Knoxville Track Club Wednesday Night Group Run
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday evening social pace group run. All paces welcome. Distance options vary. Meet at Runner’s Market. Check Facebook for updates.
Wednesday Rides from Echelon Bikes
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Will divide into 3-4 groups, from beginner friendly to more tempo pace, averaging 20-30 mph depending on route and pace of group. Weather permitting. Updates on Facebook.
Printshop Beer Bike Rides
These slow-paced rides are suitable for all riders, from beginners to experienced cyclists. Distances and routes vary, (6-10 miles) and may include stops at various landmarks, sites of interest, and even other breweries. Cancelled in inclement weather. Rides cancelled in the event of cold (under 50) or inclement weather. Details online.
Want to do the Challenges on your own time?
You can read more about each activity and link to an overview video presented by olympian and fitness expert Missy Kane.
Get the checklist
Download this checklist to keep a record of the Challenges you complete. When you complete 75-miles, you will receive a Mountain Commerce Challenge t-shirt and patch!
