Cranksgiving isn’t a holiday tale about your grumpy uncle. Deemed “a food drive on two wheels,” it’s designed to fill shelves in a local food pantry, while getting bicycles on city streets, thus promoting year-round cycling and road-sharing.
The name is a fusion between Thanksgiving and the crank arms that connect pedals to bicycles.
Bike messengers launched the combination bike ride/food drive/scavenger hunt in New York City in 1999, and the idea has fanned out to nearly 80 cities coast to coast. It’s now landed in Cedar Rapids.
On Sunday, riders are invited to grab their helmets, backpacks and a lock and make their way to Goldfinch Cyclery, 208 C 12th Ave. SE. That’s the starting point on the quest to purchase about $15 to $20 worth non-perishable items for the local Loaves & Fishes food pantry.
Cost is free and registration begins at noon. The ride starts at 1 p.m.
Upon arrival, participants will receive a list of goods to buy at specific grocery stores...