With events and festivals slowly returning to normal following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, so too is the annual bicycle-inspired food drive known as Cranksgiving.
There are 67 Cranksgiving events happening around the world this year, up from just over 50 last year but down from the 120 in 2019, according to Bill Lane, marketing director of distributor BTI, the national organizer for the event series. The weekend before Thanksgiving is the most popular timing for Cranksgiving events.
Bicycle messenger Antonio Rodrigues created Cranksgiving as a pure street race, with grocery stores serving as checkpoints, in 1999. It has evolved with local organizers teaming