SANTA FE, N.M. (BRAIN) — The 27th Cranksgiving food drive has about 100 cities participating this year so far, with another 20 possibly joining by the end of the month. In addition, about a third of the rides are organized by bike shops, said Bill Lane, marketing director of BTI, the event's organizing sponsor.
In all, 46 states will have at least one Cranksgiving event plus Alberta, Canada, and Bournemouth, United Kingdom. Eighteen industry sponsors are involved, donating gear to riders supporting their local food banks. Kryptonite, Kenda, Orange Seal, Black Ox, KMC, Fox/Race Face are among the companies involved.
"We learned something interesting from polling organizers this past summer," Lane said. "They revealed that when the industry gets involved and they are able to put big name logos on their posters and websites, turnout increases. Several shared that their events doubled in size last November. For 2026, we fielded applications from 30 cities — up from 20 last year — to participate in BTI's annual Cranksgiving prize bundle program.
"One bike shop owner, Tom Rinker with The Bicycle Escape in Maryland, shared that he found a new favorite bar tape brand last year, Ciclovation, through receiving his Cranksgiving prize bundle."
Bicycle messenger Antonio Rodrigues created Cranksgiving in New York City as a pure street race, with grocery stores serving as checkpoints. It evolved in 1999 with local organizers teaming with area charities to form a list of food needs. Routes to local grocery stores are mapped out for cyclists to follow and purchase food with their own money.
Santa Fe's 18th anniversary ride took place Saturday, and Lane said this past weekend featured 27 rides. With Thanksgiving 17 days away, he said the next two weekends could exceed that number.
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Cranksgiving event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
