Cranksgiving is back! This time at the Electric Depot

Cranksgiving is back! After a year off, the Downtown East Social Ride agreed to host the event this year while Bike Baton Rouge continues to work to complete its restructuring project. This isn’t your average bike ride—it’s a heartwarming, food-collecting, laughter-inducing adventure that makes a real difference for families in need. So grab your bike, your sense of humor, and your appetite for goodwill!

What’s Cranksgiving?

Imagine a bunch of people on bikes pedaling through Baton Rouge, stopping at locally owned grocery stores to snag food donations for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. It’s part bike ride, part scavenger hunt, and ALL heart. While it’s free to participate, we encourage everyone to spend about $30 picking up non-perishable items during your ride. Every bit helps, and together, we’ll make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.

This year the ride will begin and end at the Electric Depot, 1509 Government Street, which is the weekly starting location for the Downtown East Social Ride. Participants are asked to arrive by 10 a.m. Registration can be completed in advance.

No Bike? No Problem!

Can’t ride but still want to join in? We’ve got you covered! Cranksgiving is a community event, and there are plenty of ways to support even if you leave the cycling to others. Stop by to cheer on the riders, make a donation, or drop off food at the collection site. Speaking of donations… if you’ve got a tree full of fresh satsumas (or other goodies) and you’re ready to share, we’ll gladly take them off your hands. Think of it as spreading citrusy joy!

Family-Friendly Fun for All Ages 

Cranksgiving isn’t just for cycling pros—it’s for EVERYONE! We’ve got a special family-friendly ride led by an expert rider, which makes just one stop, perfect for younger riders and their grown-ups. Safety first, so don’t forget: helmets are a must for kids under 12.

Our Generous Partners & Local Love

This event wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of Bike Baton Rouge, City Group Hospitality, Spoke and Hub, and our local grocery partners: Bet-R, Calandro’s (Mid City), Shoppers Value (Government Street), Matherne’s Grocery (downtown), and Rouse’s (Florida Blvd.). These community champions make it all happen—and keep our wheels turning (literally).

Grand Prize for the Biggest Group

We really want to encourage all of the various bike groups in town to gather round and ride together for a good cause. That’s why we have a new prize this year. At registration, you’ll be asked to include the name of the group you’re representing. The group with the most number of attendees will win a 3-course meal for 6 gift certificate to Spoke and Hub, the only bike-themed restaurant in this city!

Don’t Forget the Swag! 

Want to show your support and look great doing it? Snag an official Cranksgiving shirt at www.downtowneastsocialride.com/store. For every shirt sold, $2 goes to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Wear it with pride and spread the Cranksgiving cheer!

Come Ride, Cheer, or Donate!

Whether you’re pedaling the streets, cheering from the sidelines, or dropping off a bag of canned goods, your support makes all the difference. Let’s come together to ride, give, and show Baton Rouge’s unbeatable community spirit. Remember, satsuma donations are very much welcome—bring on the citrus!

Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready to make a difference one pedal at a time. Cranksgiving Baton Rouge is here, and we’re ready to roll! 🚴‍♂️