CRANKSGIVING NEWS RELEASE
Cranksgiving, the world’s largest food drive on two wheels puts food on tables for the holidays. The idea is simple: collect food and do it on a bicycle. The rules are minimal: be safe and have fun. The cause is an excellent one, and on Saturday, November 7, 2026, cyclists of all ages and abilities will gather to collect food for The Food Depot.
Cranksgiving started as a friendly competition between bike messengers in New York City in 1999, and has since grown into a movement that has swept cycling communities around the world. Nationally, Cranksgiving events have generated more than a million meals for local food banks.
Participants in the 18th Annual Cranksgiving Santa Fe ride will pedal throughout the city to visit area grocery stores and collect holiday food items from a secret scavenger hunt list, or “Manifest.” Based on the classic messengers’ alleycat race format, cyclists can choose their own route—using city streets, urban trails, and store aisles—to locate specific ingredients for this year’s holiday meal.
This year features an exciting “whodunit” twist: as riders collect items across town, they will also put their detective skills to work to solve a “murder most fowl!”
Cyclists complete their ride by returning to the finish point within the time allotment. Prizes will be awarded across multiple categories including Fastest Rider, Fastest Small Team, Fastest Large Team, and Best Dressed. Last year’s ride in Santa Fe gathered over 12 tons of food in their bid to stamp out hunger during the holidays. There is no experience necessary—all ages and abilities on a bike are welcome.
“Every year around the holidays food supplies are stretched to their limits providing for families in need,” says Bill Lane, Marketing Director for BTI. “This event harnesses the boundless enthusiasm of the local bicycle community to do a little bit of good for the holidays. We all have a blast and The Food Depot benefits!”
Participants should arrive to register by 10:00 AM. All that is needed are a bike, a bag or backpack, a bike lock, and $20–$25 to purchase food. Entry is otherwise completely free, and bike helmets are mandatory.
This year’s event starts and finishes at the Santa Fe Railyard Water Tower (1612 Alcaldesa St, Santa Fe, NM 87501).
Can’t make it to the event? You can still support the cause by donating a turkey for a family in need via the Cranksgivingsantafe.com website.
About Cranksgiving
Cranksgiving started in New York City in 1999 and has since grown into a nationwide movement, with rides in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities such as Moscow, ID, and Sequim, WA. These rides have caught the attention of national media outlets like NBC’s Today Show. To learn more or to find Cranksgivings happening in other cities, visit Cranksgiving.org.
Partners & Sponsors of the event include: BTI, BayWa.Re, Santa Fe Fat Tire Society, Homewise, Sky Cinema Midtown, local bike shops, Pedal Queens, Modern Design + Construction, RA Racing, Albertstons and more!