Cranksgiving FAQ

What's Cranksgiving?
A charity race in the form of an Alleycat where the checkpoints are grocery stores. Racers are given a map to the stores and a list of items to choose from to buy. You get a map at the start line. After the ReadySetGO! Ride fastfastfast to the stores, buy the items, keep the receipts, race to the finish line.

When/where is it?
Sunday, Nov 18th. 3pm. Bandemer Park. Check out the flyer.

How long is it?
Depends on your navigational skills. About 15-20 miles, depending on your route. The fastest riders will finish it in about 60 minutes, but there'll be enough time to finish while there's still daylight even if it takes twice as long.

Wait... I need to bring/spend money?
Yes, it's a charity event. *Giving*... important enough to be part of the title. There's 6 checkpoints or so, and the items on the list are $1-3 each. Racers have the option to choose what they want to give, but have to visit each store. Plan to bring at least $10-15, and if it's in singles it'll probably get you through the checkout lane quicker (it's sort of a race, ya know?).

Who's getting the the food?
Food Gatherers. They'll be picking up the food at the finish line and it'll go into their warehouse/distribution - community kitchen, needy families, etc.

What if it's really cold that day?
Bundle up. Might be chilly-ish, but forecast is for slightly sunny/cloudy, but no rain. Regardless, Cranksgiving is going to happen, rain, shine, snow, swarm of locusts... and if you ride hard, you'll be self-warming anyway, right?

Are there prizes?
Yup. Lots of giveaways in different categories, but also working on something extra-cool for the Cranksgiving Alleycat over-acheivers. Remember, the name of the game here is food-raising, on a bike, and extra-quick - so more food faster means better shinier prize.

I'm not a bike racer - why should I even show up?
It's not about the fastest person. The point is the food drive. Sure, there'll be prizes for "fastest ___", but there's prizes in other categories too. There'll be a time bonus for extra food brought, so even if you're not the first across the finish line, you could still beat out the fast riders on points alone. Besides, while there will be plenty of fast boys and girls on skinny-tire mean machines, there's some "navigational opportunities" for those with robust wheels to take shortcuts over chunky "roads" that will cut a couple miles off the route.

What kind of bike is appropriate for this?
All of 'em. Everyone and everybike welcome. If it matters to you, the route is on streets/paths/sidewalks and not grass (unless you really want to), so keep that in mind.

What if I'm coming from out of town?
Well... you rock. We're glad you're coming out and will be glad to see you. Since we're thinking of you, the course has a start/finish at the same park, so if you're coming a long distance, you won't have to search for your car afterwards. And there might just be a prize for "first out-of-towner across the finish line" too.

Speaking of afterwards... so what happens at the finish line? Well, we wouldn't leave you hanging, that wouldn't be very nice. You get to the finish with your goods, drop them off, potentially win a prize, hang out, socialize, story-swap "I caught a turkey this big", hang around a fire to warm the outsides, have a warm beverage to warm the insides...

Dude - don't you know it's 'cross season? Is this going to be a UCI/USAC sanctioned race?
Uhh........ no. Heck no. But yes, we're aware that there's a cyclocross race on the 18th. You 'crossers should come anyway afterwards to show how fast you are when there's no grass or mud involved. Besides, all the races at Munson Park on Sunday will be over by 1:00 (ok, maybe not the podium photo-op after the Men's 1/2 race, but whatever). We'll set up some barriers and a run-up or two for the cyclocross devotees if they simply can't live without them - let us know if that's the case. Everyone else can ride the regular course though.