Over 100 Cyclists Participate in Turkey Bike III

More than 100 cyclists pulled into the  parking lot in West Caldwell Saturday morning for Cycle Craft's Turkey Bike III.

This is the third year Cycle Craft organized a ride from the bike shop in Parsippany to purchase and deliver frozen turkeys. From the supermarket, the birds were taken to a food bank drop-off site to be donated in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Brendan Poh is the general manager for the Parsippany Cycle Craft and organizer of the ride. 

"We called ahead and the manager of the store ordered a 100 frozen turkeys for us," Poh explained. 

When asked where they were from, riders shouted out towns near and far, including the Caldwells, Livingston, Montville, Mountain Lakes, Hackensack, Sparta and Westfield.

Most riders placed the birds in their backpacks or bike baskets. One couple from Succasunna that rides tandem put their turkey in their trailer with their dog Barkley.

It was the second year that Montville residents Caren and Mike Bianco, who also ride tandem, participated in the Turkey Bike. 

"We just thought it was such a great idea," said Mike Bianco. "It's just so much fun."

Once all the turkeys were purchased and packed, the riders took a group photo before heading off to their next stop, The Food Bank of New Jersey’s drop-off site in East Hanover. The final stop? Back to the bike shop for cider, donuts and coffee.

Poh of Cycle Craft organized this ride three years ago. The ride has grown from 12 and 27 riders the first two years to the more than 100 riders who participated Saturday. 

“The ride is not far but it is a bit challenging to carry a 25 lb. turkey on your bike!” explains the Cycle Craft website.