Wheels and spokes meet turkey and gravy during “Cranksgiving,” the New York City-inspired bike ride/food drive/scavenger hunt.
North Olympic Peninsula residents can choose from two events in their neck of the woods Saturday: one in Sequim, the other in Port Townsend.
Bikers should plan to bring the appropriate gear and their choice of donation, ranging from a recommended $15 to $30.
Take the Sequim route, and the gift goes to the Sequim Food Bank.
Opt for Port Townsend and benefit The Boiler Room’s Thanksgiving Day meals.
Sequim’s ‘Cranksgiving’
This time around, organizers are looking for some bonding among participants.
Sequim’s 2017 Cranskgiving officials have added a team competition to complement individual awards as they invite community members to once again join the annual “food-raiser,” this year set for 9 a.m. Saturday. Teams start at 9 a.m. and individuals at 9:30 a.m. at the Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St.
Participants of all ages are invited to bring their bike and gear — including helmet, lock, knapsack, etc. — along with $15 to $20 to purchase food that will be donated to the food bank.
Cranksgiving organizers provide a list of food asked for and a course that spans 4.4 miles from QFC to Walmart and back.
As a kind of “scavenger hunt” on wheels, participants compete for various prizes, from fastest collector to most food collected, youngest and oldest rider, top food-gathering team and more.
During the event, participants purchase food items from the shopping list at specified stores around town and when done bring the food to the start point (the food bank). In doing this, they must visit at least four stores and purchase at least one item at each store. Family participants with small children must visit at least one store.
This year’s addition of a team award includes a rotating award for the top five-person squad. Each team must gather items at four specified markets and return to the food bank in one hour.
The event also includes an “after-party” at Rainshadow Coffee for awards and a raffle. The team gathering the most food (by weight) wins.
The seventh such Sequim event in as many years, Cranksgiving is based on a nationwide program. To date, about 60 cities nationwide have announced their participation, and more will join during the next several weeks. Locally Sequim, Port Townsend, Seattle and Tacoma are hosting an event, co-organizer Tom Coonelly said.
Last year’s event raised more than 1,100 pounds for the Sequim Food Bank, 300 pounds alone from a single rider (Ken Stringer).
For more information, contact Coonelly at 360-681-7053 or Coonelly@olypen.com.
Port Townsend’s ‘Cranksgiving’
Port Townsend “Cranks” should plan to meet at The ReCyclery, 1925 Blaine St., for the third annual Cranksgiving. The race kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday, and participants are advised to arrive early.
Proceeds go to The Boiler Room, a nonprofit coffee shop that served 120 meals on Thanksgiving Day last year.
Participants do not pay an admission fee, but they are asked to spend between $15 and $30 when they bike to various grocery stores and purchase food items The Boiler Room needs for its Thanksgiving meal.
For those who cannot attend but wish to contribute, donations can be made on The Boiler Room’s website.
Bikers are invited to come in costume, and prizes will recognize the fastest, most generous and best style.
After the event, participants can warm up with some hot coffee and other beverages on the house at The Boiler Room, 711 Water St.
To see Port Townsend and Sequim on the map of 80 participating locations, go to www.cranksgiving.org.
