Theme Ride Thursday: Four Thanksgiving Profiles and Four Bucket Playlists to Choose From!

It’s Turkey Time! Thanksgiving is almost here, and what better way to celebrate than with a ride that brings to life all the things we associate with this special holiday? Whether your riders are looking forward to the big meal, the time with family, or the journey home, our Thanksgiving theme rides will give them a meaningful boost. This year, tap into a variety of themes: gratitude for the year, connection to loved ones, and, of course, the universal love of food! With our four Thanksgiving profiles and four themed bucket playlists, you’ll have all the tools to create a memorable ride for every type of celebration.

Thanksgiving Bucket Playlists

Our bucket playlists have something for every aspect of the holiday (ICA members can find these playlists at the end of this article):

1. Thanksgiving Essentials (~250 songs): Dive into songs about gratitude, family, and homecoming, perfect for building an emotional and nostalgic ride. There’s enough variety to switch things up every week of November, keeping your classes fresh and inspired.
2. Foodie Feast (~255 songs): This playlist is brimming with songs that celebrate the delicious side of Thanksgiving. Perfect for Thanksgiving week or anytime you want a food-themed ride!
3. Family Connections (~240 songs): This playlist brings back that warm, connected feeling of being surrounded by loved ones. It’s a wonderful theme for Thanksgiving or any time you want to focus on relationships and togetherness in your ride.
4. Home Sweet Home (~250 songs): This playlist captures the joy and nostalgia of going home—perfect for adding just a song or two to any ride or creating a stand-alone theme focused on “home.”

Not in the U.S.? You can still enjoy the gratitude theme—use this time to help riders focus on appreciation for health, community, and fitness. Or, explore themes around food, family, or home any time of the year.

Here are some standout tracks to bring depth and playfulness to your Thanksgiving ride:

Gratitude, VNV Nation, 6:04, 134 bpm
This is a Thanksgiving staple, perfect for a steady, reflective climb. Cue your riders to find a rhythm that lets them sink into the song’s message. As they work through the resistance, remind them to acknowledge the challenges they’ve faced, both on and off the bike, and how each has made them stronger. This track has found a place in my rides every year since I first discovered it back in 2011.

Gratitude, Earth, Wind & Fire, 3:27, 91 bpm
A mellow warm-up or steady endurance track. Set the stage by having riders start with deep breaths, focusing on everything they’re grateful for. Encourage them to hold onto that feeling as they settle into their ride.

Home, Phillip Phillips, 3:30, 121 bpm
Use this song for a moderate climb, inviting riders to stand during the chorus. Prompt them to visualize their own sense of “home,” whether it’s a place, a person, or a feeling, and to lean into the power and comfort it brings.

We Are Family, Sister Sledge, 3:36, 118 bpm
This track is perfect for a slow, steep climb. Encourage riders to focus on the “family” they’re building within the class and celebrate the unique community that supports one another. Let them know that you’re grateful for them, your cycling family.

Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes), Dee Dee Sharp, 2:08, 131 bpm
A fun, lighthearted recovery. It’s a playful break between tough efforts and a great way to remind riders not to take themselves too seriously. Have some fun with this one as they recover!

Gobble Gobble, Mathew West, 2:38, 92 bpm
This song will bring a smile to your riders’ faces. Use it mid-ride for a recovery, or as a cool-down. Cue them to shake out any tension from the ride with a lighthearted spirit. Who doesn’t love a song that celebrates turkey and cranberry sauce?

“Oh my my get that turkey in my belly, oh my my with the cranberry jelly!”

 

Thanksgiving Profiles

This year, you have a cornucopia of Thanksgiving profiles ready to go! Here’s a quick overview:
NOTE: I am redoing The Gratitude Ride and the Over the River ride. You can download the old versions below if you want to get a head start (some of the songs may not be available on Spotify), but make sure to check back in a week or so for the latest version of these two popular profiles. 

The Gratitude Ride: Thanksgiving might be just around the corner in the U.S., but gratitude knows no borders. This reflective ride invites your riders to look back on the year and recognize the things—big or small—that have added meaning to their lives. It’s a journey of appreciation, perfect for inspiring a thankful mindset.

Over the River and Through the Woods: Ready for an adventure? This ride takes you “over the river and through the woods” with a twist: you’re on a mountain bike (instead of a horse-drawn sleigh), tackling four scenic rolling hills. Each hill climb will transport your riders to a new, challenging landscape—perfect for capturing the spirit of the season!

When Turkeys Fly: Inspired by ICA member Bill Jenks, this unique story ride follows Tom the turkey, a dreamer with a vision. Blending elements from Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Wizard of Oz, this journey takes riders through songs that capture Tom’s quest to soar with the eagles and find a place where he can be truly happy. Every track brings Tom’s story—and his spirit—to life! It also gives a nod to one of the most memorable moments in sitcom history—a classic inspiration for Bill’s flying turkey theme: “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!” 

Gobble ’Til You Wobble: From pre-holiday travel hustle to local turkey trots and the final Thanksgiving feast, this profile mirrors the full Thanksgiving Day experience. Get ready for a high-energy ride that captures the excitement, the movement, and of course, the grand meal that defines the day.

With these profiles and the four bucket playlists, you’ll be able to create a ride that feels as comforting and satisfying as Thanksgiving itself! Adjust songs or playlists as you like to make each class feel new. And remember, with themes like gratitude, family, and home, there’s something here for every instructor and every rider, whether they celebrate Thanksgiving or just want to feel the warmth of connection and thankfulness. Happy Thanksgiving!

ICA members can follow our four Thanksgiving bucket playlists below to create a wide range of theme rides. Remember, even if you don’t use Spotify to teach with, you can get a free account and follow these playlists so you have the songs to peruse at your fingertips. Then you can search for them on your preferred music source.