CYCLISTS WHO ENJOY philanthropy and are looking for a worthwhile ride this weekend should check out the fourth annual Cranksgiving “food-raising” event this Saturday in Sequim.
Sponsored by the Spoke Folk Cycling Club of Sequim, the combination bike ride, shopping trip and fundraiser will benefit the Sequim Food Bank.
Cyclists will assemble at the Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St., by 9:30 a.m., and will receive a shopping list for Sequim stores.
The list will contain items in high demand or in short supply at the food bank, and the ride will begin with a Le Mans-style start, where riders will rush to their bikes to begin the event.
During the ride, cyclists will buy food items from the shopping list at seven stores around Sequim, and when done, bring the food to the start point back at the food bank.
Each rider must purchase a minimum of six food items from the shopping list, visit at least five stores and buy at least one item from each store.
Riders are encouraged to purchase more than the minimum amount of items.
The ride is open to everyone with a bicycle and bike helmet who want to participate.
Riders are encouraged to ride safely and must wear a helmet.
All food will be donated to the Sequim Food Bank.
Immediately following the ride there will be an after party at Rainshadow Coffee, 157 W. Cedar St., so participants can warm up, get charged up on coffee and enjoy one another’s company, and where the group will raffle off bicycle swag, gift certificates and more items donated by area merchants.
In keeping with Sequim tradition, prizes for the event will be awarded for several categories: Fastest (first back with six items from four stores), Best Shopper (least amount spent for a six-item list), The Big Kahuna (most food by weight bought), Youngest Finisher, Last In and more.
Last year, 54 riders gathered 867 pounds of food and donated an additional $574 to the Sequim Food Bank.
Spoke Folk Cycling members are looking to break the 1,000-pound barrier this year.
Cranksgiving started in in New York City in 1999 as one of several annual bike messenger “alleycat” races.
Each year it is held before Thanksgiving as a way for messengers and other urban cyclists to socialize, compete and enjoy themselves while also raising food for local soup kitchens or food pantries in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Razor clam report
Peninsula Daily News news editor Michael Foster and news assistant Laura Lofgren traveled down to Mocrocks beach Saturday night to partake of the razor clam opening.
“We each got our limits at a relaxed pace in around 40 minutes, maybe less,” “Foster said.
“Some of them were pretty sizable, too. We were actually able to start being picky and going after shows that looked like they’d be bigger clams.”
Foster and Lofgren had hit up a spring dig during daylight hours, this was their first introduction to a nighttime dig.
“There were tons of people down there, and with all the headlamps, it looked like a small town was down on the beach,” Foster said.
Another razor clam opening is tentatively set for a variety of ocean beaches from Nov. 20-26.
That dig comes just in time to limit out for the Thanksgiving feast.
Pool passes in Sequim
A few weeks ago, I wrote of the free pool passes for William Shore Memorial Pool in Port Angeles offered for checkout through the North Olympic Library System.
Since then, two free passes for the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center, or SARC, have been added to the library system’s collection and are now available for lending.
One pass is for individuals who’d like to try one of the fitness classes offered at SARC — from Tai Chi to water aerobics.
The second pass grants up to six household members access to workout, cardio and weight rooms, in addition to open swim and family fun night.
Patrons may borrow each pass for up to one week.
At this time, neither pass includes swimming lessons.
To place a hold request, visit www.nols.org and use the online catalog to search for “SARC Pool Pass.”
Hold requests also can be made by calling the library or visiting any of the four public libraries in Clallam County.
These pool passes have been donated by SARC.
For more information about the pool, including hours of operation and class schedules, visit www.sarcfitness.com or follow the pool on Facebook and Twitter.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
