Cranksgiving!
I have met some of the best people through bicycling and these very same people have shared with me very memorable cycling fun. This past Sunday was no exception. Ever hear of Cranksgiving?
Cranksgiving is a food drive on two wheels.
Part bike ride, part food drive, and part scavenger hunt.
All you need is a bike, a bag, and a lock!
Cranksgiving started in New York City in 1999, and there are now nearly 80 independently organized events across the globe. The event has its roots in bike messenger alleycats, but there are no requirements other than “get food” and “do it on a bike”. – from the Cranksgiving website.
The Fifth Annual Tampa Cranksgiving food drive benefitted Metropolitan Ministries. Nearly 140 participants gathered more than 2,000 pounds in food and more than 50 turkeys, and carried it all by bike!
How does it work? Well, you can decide to gather the food solo or form a team. You get a shopping list and list of nearby grocery stores. You have a time limit, the stores don’t know you are coming and you’re off!
Lining up in Ybor City.
Prizes are awarded by points, but the real win-win is to do something fun on a bicycle with your bicycle buddies, and have that fun benefit families in need.
Participants buy the food on the list.. (photo by Allison Lizabeth)
..including frozen turkeys.. (photo by Allison Lizabeth)
..and ride it back for collection. (photo by Katie Turner)
Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Director of Transportation and Planning Karen Kress participated.. (photo by Katie Turner)
..while our team took a moment for a selfie off the Tampa Riverwalk.
This event doesn’t happen without the sponsors and efforts of Allison Tiberia, Eric Turnerr, Michael Weimar and Katie Turner – what a team!! Check out the Facebook page and next year, check out Cranksgiving – the food drive you ride!
On behalf of the Florida Bicycle Association Board of Directors and Advisory Board, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Editor’s note: Bike Florida and Florida Bicycle Association share a common cause in bicycle education for residents and visitors to the Sunshine “Bike-Ped” State. Share the Road license plate proceeds benefit Bike Florida and Florida Bicycle Association to further these bicycle educational efforts. What’s on your motor vehicle? Get the Share the Road license plate!
Did you know Rejjee is the only nation-wide multi-product registry and crowd sourced Lost & Found that includes discount product replacement offers on bicycles? Rejjee also supports Florida Bicycle Association and FBA supports Rejjee.
Do you have a bicycle story to tell? Photos to share? Be our guest and be our next guest blogger! Send your story and photos to Becky@floridabicycle.net. Speaking of stories, our quarterly Messenger newsletter is available online for your internet reading pleasure. Visit the FBA website Home page or click here.
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