Sequim’s Cranksgiving

What: Fund-, food-raiser for Sequim Food Bank

When: 9 a.m., starting at Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St.

Features: Prizes for fastest participant, best shopper, most food collected by weight, more

New this year: awards for quickest family,  most prodigious haul by a family, etc.

More information: Call Tom Coonelly at 681-7053.

Five years and still spinning.

Sequim’s annual Cranksgiving event is back, set to raise hundreds of pounds of food for the Sequim Food Bank in a unique event that mirrors other food collections across the country.

Scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, Sequim’s own Cranksgiving sees bicyclists 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 at 144 W. Alder St.

Riders start at 9 a.m., rain or shine. There they receive a shopping list and list of stores. The list, provided by food bank president Steve Rosales, consists of items in short supply or high demand.

Riders are required to visit at least four stores and purchase at least one item at each store. Family participants must visit at least one store.

Participants are encouraged to purchase more than the minimum amount of items.

The family friendly ride is open to anyone with a bicycle and bike helmet who wants to participate.

There is a timed and untimed division. In keeping with tradition, prizes for the Sequim event are be awarded for several categories: Fastest (first back with six items from four stores), Best Shopper (least amount spent for a six-item list), The Big Kahuna (most food by weight bought), Youngest Finisher, Most Food by a Family and others.

New this year are award categories for families: the “Zoom” award for the quickest family to return with their load of food, and “Gigantosaurus,” for the family group that brings in the most food by weight.

Participants are asked to make sure they bring a helmet, knapsack and lock, plus $15-$20 to purchase food.

Total distance is estimated at 4.4 miles.

An after-party for all participants is set at Rainshadow Coffee Co., 157 W. Cedar St., Sequim.

Cranksgiving origins

Cranksgiving started as one of several annual bike messenger “alleycat” races in New York City in 1999. Each year, it’s held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving as a way for messengers and other urban cyclists to socialize, compete and enjoy themselves while also raising food for local soup kitchens or food pantries in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The event has been adopted by organizers in numerous cities in one form or another, where all types of cyclists participate to have fun while benefiting a local charity.

Event organizers say Cranksgiving events not only help local causes but also promote independence from car usage, health through exercise, community involvement and more.

Cranksgiving attempts to replicate the somewhat random element of a messenger work day but in an enjoyable, competitive and charitable way — a kind of scavenger hunt on wheels with rules.

For more information about Sequim’s Cranksgiving event, call Tom Coonelly at 681-7053.