Events: Bucks County Cranksgiving Day Ride (And Why You Should Do It)

(2019) Sometimes all one needs is a matter of perspective to get the idea of a breadth of a project. This Sunday, departing from Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown, the Bucks County Cranksgiving - supported by Doylestown Bike Works - will seek to outdo the donations from last year. In 2018 cyclists pedaled the Cranksgiving route from Doylestown to Plumsteadville and back, stopping at three grocery stores, and gathered five tons of food. 

A free event, Bucks County Cranksgiving has been operation for several years as an event to boost the local food pantry. Departing at 9:00 am from the school parking lot, the ride will head east of town before turning north to Plumsteadville for the first grocery store. The path to the first stop provides some of the only climbing on the 26-mile course. There is a family friendly route of ten miles in length. Riders are provided a list of items to prioritize during each shopping visit, though many go beyond the suggestions.

After descending the ridge from Plumsteadville, riders return to the Borough of Doylestown and make the final two grocery stops at Acme and Weis, respectively. They are located across the street from each other. Once participants drop off their purchases on the receptacles outside, they will point the handlebars back to CB West to finish the route. Riders are welcome to continue their ride, but those who find the 26-mile route enough for the day will be treated to the Mission BBQ food truck. It’s not a bad way to end a great cause.

The 2019 Cranksgiving is supported by Doylestown Bike Works.

We have taken part in two of the Cranksgiving rides and plan on being there for the 2019 edition. There is onsite registration. It is great to see the diverse group of riders: from casual riders to racers, the event attracts cyclists of all abilities. With the availability of the family friendly route, this event caters to just about every rider willing to help stock the shelves of the Bucks County Food Pantry. 

Last year, riders combined to provide 10,000 pounds of food donations across the three stores. In perspective, a 20-foot U-Haul moving truck, when empty, weighs 9,000 pounds. Donations for 2018 came in heavier than the truck rented to collect the food. Each year the goal is to donate more food than the year before. The next size up U-Haul truck is effectively a commercial truck, a 26-foot long mover that weighs 13,000 pounds when empty. It’s maximum load is under the goal collection amount for 2019. That means two trucks might have to be rented to haul the food. In the end I think the organizers would be more than happy to rent two trucks. Actually, I think that’s the point. With some riders planning to attend a group ride November 10, and with a clear forecast, jumping into the 2019 Cranksgiving will serve dividends to many more people. Two moving trucks can provide perspective as to just how many people Cranksgiving riders can help.