By GObike Buffalo:
As the cycling season slows down, roadies are putting their carbon away for the winter, the mud is being scraped from cross bikes and many are pulling out their trusty winter rides. Soon only the bravest will slog through the slush and the salt, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more chances for two wheeled joy. Brace yourself, Cranksgiving is coming, and not only is it going to be awesome, it also will give us a chance to give back to our great community and to those less fortunate.
This year Buffalo joins 33 other U.S. cities for a fun-filled event that is both an alley-cat bike race and a food drive! With humble beginnings way back in 1999 in the City of New York, this Cranksgiving tradition has grown and is growing. People race around the city to get items from a list of goods which will be donated to a charitable organization. Here in Buffalo, the race begins at Lafayette Square and ends with a party at the GO Bike Buffalo workshop in North Buffalo.
Participants are asked to bring a bike (any bike will do), a lock, helmet, and 10 to 15 dollars to purchase the food items on the list. Riders will be given options for where they purchase each item, and will have to visit a mandatory number of stores to reach their goal before returning to the GO Bike Workshop. The food collected will be donated to Food Not Bombs, an autonomous group of people who gather and prepare food that would otherwise go to waste which they share with the community at large. Trophies will be awarded to fastest single rider, best bargain shopper, and fastest team.
The after party will begin at 3pm at the GO Bike Workshop and will be free for riders. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we’re asking that non-riders bring 4 non-perishable food items or 5 bucks to get in.
Date: Saturday, November 17th
Place: Lafayette Square
Time: Meet up will begin at 1pm