Crank it up for Thanksgiving

Inflate your tires, lube your chain and get ready for "Cranksgiving," Saturday, Nov. 23, when the Village Bicycle Cooperative partners with Bike Cleveland and Pedal for Prizes to raise $2,000 to provide meals to disadvantaged families in Cleveland during the Thanksgiving season. Cranksgiving is a combination bike ride, food drive and scavenger hunt. There are two ways you can get involved.

The most fun option is to be a part of the Cranksgiving Ride. Bring a bike, a bag (for groceries), a lock, and about $15-$20 to buy food and join other VBC members at the Co-op on the ground floor of the Bay Community House, 303 Cahoon Road (time TBA, check the VBC website at www.villagebicycle.org for updates).

From there, ride to West Park Station, 17015 Lorain Ave., where you’ll join riders from around Cleveland to grab a manifest, figure out the best route to grocery stores of your choice and start riding to buy food. All food will be donated to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland to help feed the needy during the holiday season. The event is free and open to anyone with a bike of any kind.

If you can’t ride that day, drop off a non-perishable food item at VBC any Tuesday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. or Saturday between noon and 2 p.m. to donate to the cause.

Be a part of the Village Bicycle Cooperative’s first venture into this national event that began in New York City in 1999 and has spread to more than two dozen cities across North America. Visit bikecleveland.org/cranksgiving for more information.

Jane Blackie

After retiring from teaching English at Lakewood High School, I now write, cook and cycle as well as teach writing at TriC. My husband, Bill, and I have lived in Bay Village for 24 years.

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Volume 5, Issue 23, Posted 10:11 AM, 11.12.2013