Annual bicycle scavenger hunt combines Thanksgiving spirit with charitable giving to help Treasure Valley families in need
As Thanksgiving approaches, cyclists across Boise are preparing for something a little different than the traditional turkey trot. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Cranksgiving Boise will celebrate its tenth anniversary of bringing together community members for a unique charitable event that blends cycling, costume creativity, and compassion.
Organized by the Lost River Cycling Club and sponsored by Ketlinski Law, Cranksgiving Boise transforms the typical Thanksgiving food drive into an engaging bicycle scavenger hunt. Teams of costumed cyclists navigate the city streets with a mission: collect every item needed to fill complete Thanksgiving food boxes for families experiencing hardship in the Treasure Valley.
How It Works
The concept is straightforward but spirited. Each team receives a manifest detailing the food items they need to gather, along with a list of entertaining tasks to accomplish during their journey. The collected goods are then donated to St. Vincent de Paul, which distributes the Thanksgiving boxes to local families who might otherwise go without a holiday meal.
Competition adds an extra layer of excitement to the charitable endeavor. Awards will be presented to the fastest teams, those who manage to procure the biggest turkeys, and groups sporting the most creative costumes—encouraging participants to embrace both the competitive and festive aspects of the event.
Event Details
Cranksgiving Boise will kick off at Clairvoyant Brewing, located at 2800 W Idaho Street in Boise. Participants can pick up their packets beginning at 10:00 a.m., with teams hitting the streets promptly at 11:00 a.m.
Once teams complete their manifests and return to the brewery, the celebration continues with an after-party featuring food trucks, live entertainment, and craft beer—a well-deserved reward for participants’ efforts.
Team registration costs $10, which helps offset event expenses. Those interested can sign up at bikereg.com/cranksaving-boise-2025. To commemorate the milestone tenth anniversary, special edition t-shirts are available for purchase through the registration website for $20.
Getting Involved
There are multiple ways to support Cranksaving Boise beyond participating as a cyclist. The event relies on volunteers to ensure everything runs smoothly, and those interested in helping can register at https://tinyurl.com/Cranksgiving2025.
For community members who want to contribute but aren’t able to participate in the scavenger hunt itself, direct donations to St. Vincent de Paul are welcomed at https://svdpid.org/thanksgiving/.
Those looking for the latest updates can follow the Cranksgiving Boise Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CranksgivingBoise, and any questions can be directed to [email protected].
A Decade of Impact
Over the past ten years, Cranksgiving Boise has established itself as a beloved community tradition that proves giving back doesn’t have to be solemn—it can be fun, active, and bring people together. As the event enters its second decade, it continues to demonstrate how creative approaches to charity can engage broader audiences and make a meaningful difference in the lives of neighbors in need.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist, someone who enjoys dressing up, or simply a community member looking for a memorable way to give back this Thanksgiving season, Cranksgiving Boise offers an opportunity to participate in something greater than yourself—all while having a great time doing it.
