Described as a combination bike ride, scavenger hunt and community service food drive event, about 200 bicycle riding enthusiasts are expected for the 12th annual Cranksgiving Bucks County event November 2.
Doylestown Bike Works will host the local bike ride to help those in need over the Thanksgiving holiday season.
The 28-mile ride stops at three central Bucks County grocery stores where participants buy non-perishable grocery items to donate to local food pantries. The Doylestown event’s grocery collection box is provided by Fred Beans Auto Group. Proceeds from the event benefit Bucks County Housing Group food pantries.
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“They’re our friends and neighbors, and we’re doing this with them. We have a large following of customers – from Lancaster county to central and northern New Jersey and of course our local customers,” said Brian Boger, a Doylestown Bike Works partner, Doylestown borough resident and a board member of Discover Doylestown.
According to the national Cranksgiving organization’s website, Cranksgiving is “a food drive on two wheels. Part bike ride, part food drive, and part scavenger hunt.” What began in 1999 in New York City as a race for bike messengers and a way to help those less fortunate during the Thanksgiving holiday, has grown exponentially in the decades since.
Locally, Boger said his business partner, Fran Taloricco, is the driving force behind the event with a long-standing passion of supporting the Bucks County Housing Group and local food pantries.
Since beginning the local annual Cranksgiving rides in 2012, about 119,000 pounds of non-perishable grocery items, including baby formula and diapers, have been donated to food banks through Bucks County Housing Group.
“We’re grateful to Bike Works for hosting Cranksgiving and for continuing this incredible tradition of giving back,” said Erik Clare, executive director of Bucks County Housing Group. “It’s such a fun and meaningful way to make a difference, every rider helps bring food and hope to local families during the holiday season. We encourage everyone to sign up and be part of this wonderful community event.”
Boger said about 200 participants typically show up at the Doylestown event.
“We’re blessed to have a pro-cycling team, and they come back to the shop and support it,” said Boger.
This year’s bicycle club members include Team Ox Cycling of Warrington, Central Bucks Bicycle Club and Suburban Cyclists Unlimited. The 28-mile ride Bike Works event includes stops at the Plumsteadville Giant, Weiss Markets and Acme Markets in Doylestown.
Since beginning the local annual Cranksgiving rides in 2012, Boger said about 119,000 pounds of non-perishable grocery items, including baby formula and diapers, have been donated to food banks through Bucks County Housing Group.
“And we’ll have a [rider] in a turkey costume, for sure, at least one maybe more,” added Boger.
If you go:
What: Cranksgiving bike ride’s free registration is required to participate in the event. Register by 5 p.m., November 1 here.
Event Host: Doylestown Bike Works is located at 139 S. Main Street.
When: This year’s Cranksgiving bike ride departs at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, November 2.
Where: Departs from Central Bucks West High School student parking lot located on MacFarlane Lane.
Founded in 2011, Bike Works is an independent, employee-owned, bicycle service and sales business with retail locations in Doylestown and Newtown.
