Weekend Event Guide: Cranksgiving, a kermesse, yoga, and more

Last year’s haul from Cranksgiving.
(Photo: Mick Orlosky)

This menu of delicious rides and events is brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery. Their support makes BikePortland possible.

We know what you’re thinking: Ride? In this weather? That’s what most people think, but you’re different. You embrace the beauty of this time of year and you relish the empty bikeways that were chock full of people just a few weeks ago.

And besides, it’s a time to be thankful for our freedom to ride. Or should I say crankful? Saturday is Cranksgiving where you and 100 of your fellow Portlanders will come together to talk, ride bikes, and help people in need.

What are your plans? Check out our suggestions below…

But first, here’s the forecast:

(Thanks Weather.com.)

Friday, November 20th

Dropout Bike Club Monthly Ride – 9:00 pm at Colonel Summers Park (SE 20th and Belmont)
Bring your freak bike and join in the revelry. More info here.

Saturday, November 21st

OBRA State Cyclocross Championships/Corn Cross – All day at Liepold Farms (14050 SE Richey Road in Boring)
The whole season comes down to this. Who will wear the coveted state champion jersey? Sponsored by the City of Sandy (how cool is that?!), Corn Cross is back. Bring the whole family and enjoy the farm. More info here (PDF)

Stormwater Cycling – 10:00 am at Universal Cycles (SE Ankeny and 22nd)
Did you know Portland’s streets are built in such a way to protect our watershed while simultaneously being more pleasant to use on foot or on bike? It’s true; but you’ll have to show up to this ride to learn the who/what/why/where. More info here.

Cranksgiving – Fun starts at 1:00, ride at 2:00 at Velo Cult (1969 NE 42nd Ave)
The annual treasure-hunt food drive powered by bikes is back! Form a team and grab a list of items to buy, then hit the streets. It’s a fun competition and everyone wins because the items are donated to Outside In, a non-profit that helps homeless youth. Prizes for fastest team, best costumes, biggest spenders. More info here.

Weston Awards – 6:00 pm at The Eliot Center (1226 SW Salmon)
The big annual fundraiser for Oregon Walks is a night to honor the advocates who have made Portland a nicer place to perambulate. Learn about walking heros and support this great organization. This year’s emcee is none other than Sarah Mirk. More info here.

Yoga for Cyclists – 5:00 pm at Bike Farm (1810 NE First Ave)
This time of year you need all the flexibility and awareness you can get when you’re on the bike. What better way to improve your spidey senses and ride with confidence than a bit of yoga? This one-hour class will be taught by Alejandra Parada of The Chakra Cave. More info here.

Sunday, November 22nd

Kruger’s Crossing Cyclocross Classic – All day at Kruger’s Farm on Sauvie Island
The 10th annual Crossing is back. Competitors will enjoy rutted farm roads full of surprises (some of them including wildlife) and spectators will enjoy the usual farm fixins’ like food, drink, a bonfire, and so on. More info here.

Race With the Squirrels – 10:00 am at Woodstock Park (SE 47th and Steele)
Join ride leader Benn S. for 32 miles of east county bliss. Expect a bagel stop and a medium pace. More info here.

— Did we miss anything? Let us know via the comments and make sure to drop us a line if you have an upcoming event you’d like us to feature next week.

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org