Mason City Cranksgiving 2009.  What a day.  53 cyclists of all ages converged upon Lorado's on the Plaza.  FIve stops, a number of items later and North Iowa Cycling Lore has been written.  Those riding through our city picking up food items for the food bank were a part of something great, something beyond themselves. 

Just before the start

The feeling of running into a grocery store, and having checkers open a lane for them to check out quickly.  A cycling lane.  We have been dreaming of cycling lanes in North Iowa for decades.  I guess we need to begin somewhere.  A grocery store is a beginning.  We will work on the streets later.

Between the proceeds of the chili sales at Lorados, and other private and organization money contributions - we tallied $714 dollars to give Hawkeye.  I filled my Jeep to the brim with food items on Sunday evening after the ride.  It took us about 30 minutes to unload it at the food bank.  638 pounds of food.  The volunteers at the food bank were amazed by our outcome.

If anyone has some photos of the day they don't mind sharing, please email them to me, and I will post them here.  eric@nibu.info

We did some video shooting of the event, and the editors at Lucas Studios are currently working on the editing.  As soon as the film is done, we will get it posted.

For our division awards:

Trailer/Miscellaneous

Seth and Amy B. - They worked together filling an Xtracycle.

What a cute couple.  What is that love song?  Two necks become one.

Men's Fixed/Single Speed

Tim P.  (He was also second overall)

Single ring bling.  Thanks to Joe K., our unofficial field reporter, for the photo.

Women's Fixed/Single Speed

Katie F.

Yo, what up?  The night got a bit more difficult for Katie.  Celebrating her win got a little out of hand.  But ohhh what a night.

Women's Geared Bikes

1st - Tina F.

2nd - Cathy I.

3rd - Cathy B./Denise Q

Ummmm.  Yeah.  Russ.  Well, you see....  Ummmm.  Yeah.  Don't really know how to explain this one.  You'll just have to ask him yourself.

Men's Geared Bikes

1st - Robin B. (First overall)

2nd - Dave D.

3rd - Dwight B.

These guys have such a history in cycling.  Combined, these three could stand toe to toe with about any other cyclists you could name.

DFL

Molly S. and Family (Her husband, and two kids in a Burly tagged along)  We were very happy to have them, and they won the most creative award of the lot.

Mom, Dad, and two very tired kids.  They had to hold all the food in their laps.

Due to our overwhelming donations of door prizes from HED Cycling, Waynes, Bennetts, Lakeside, Splash Multisport, and the Fistler Family - we had a door prize for EVERY SINGLE PARTICIPANT.  We got to read off everyones name, and they all received a round of applause from the crowd.

I would also like to give a great amount of thanks to North Iowa Oral Surgery for a cash donation to help with administrative costs.  Larson Printing with helping cover most of the costs of printing our flyers.  Lorado's for putting on a great chili feed, and hosting the event on their day off.  You just can't beat Lorado's for a chill environment.  Also, a big shout out to Jitters for suppling the yummy warm coffee for the cool weather during registration.  

Thanks to everyone who showed up and supported our cause.  We have set the bar for next year - so stay tuned to NIBU for info on Cranksgiving '10 - and other events as the year goes on.