Cranksgiving is a charity bike ride that began in 1999, organized by New York City bike messengers. Food is collected at grocery store "checkpoints" and then donated to a soup kitchen at the end of the ride. All kinds of cyclists are welcome! There is no set course, and you can ride at your own pace. The event benefits 5 charities including City Harvest, The New York Bike Messenger Foundation, Nazareth Housing, Yorkville Common Pantry, and St. Mary's Soup Kitchen.

Like traditional alleycats, Cranksgiving tests your skills and speed navigating city traffic. But it also tests the sharpness of your wits as you navigate the aisles of grocery stores searching for specific food items. Once you've found them and made your way through the checkout lines and finished the ride, all of your food will be donated to a local homeless shelter.

Cranksgiving is a charity ride, and anyone can participate. It's been happening for over 10 years in New York City, and has spread to cities across the country and across the ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions

I've never done a ride like this before? How does it work?
It's easy. You show up, you grab a manifest, you figure out the best route, and when we say "GO", you start. Make sure you've got a bag and a lock, because you're going to need to lock up to run into grocery stores.

Do I need to ride a fixed gear bike?
Not at all. Very few rides are "fixed-gear only". Cranksgiving is definitely not one of them. You can ride any kind of bike you want. We often have tandems, tall bikes, choppers, and penny farthings.

How much does it cost to register?
It's free to register, but you'll need cash to buy food at the grocery stores. $10-$15 should suffice.

Can I register online?
No. Registration will only take place at the beginning of the race. Registration will begin at 2pm and the race will begin at 3pm.

How do I throw a Cranksgiving Race in my own town?
Cranksgiving is a simple race to throw because it requires minimal volunteer effort. This guide has always been a great starting point.