York Cycle Rally to return this June as not-for-profit event

York Cycle Rally is to make its return this year as a not-for-profit event. The rally hasn’t been run since 2012 when it was badly affected by poor weather, but a group of volunteers has got together to raise funds and bring it back in the hope that it can again become an annual fixture.

The York Rally began in 1945, eventually growing into a major trade and social event run by a committee of cyclists on behalf of CTC, the National Cycling Charity. However, in 2013 what was by now called the CTC Cycle Show was cancelled due to poor bookings. Organisers blamed terrible weather the year before combined with another uncertain forecast for their decision. Although there were hopes that it might return to coincide with the visit of the Tour de France, this didn’t transpire.

However, York Press reports that a new-look York Cycle Rally is to return this year on June 20 and 21. Like the original, it will be held on the Knavesmire and the team of volunteers behind its return are hopeful that it will be better than ever before.

Organiser Paul Reid said: “It was losing direction. It was becoming more and more a show and it wasn’t a participation event but something you came and watched. Hopefully we are going back to more participation and more for actual cyclists. We are trying to get back to our grass roots.”

That last statement could be taken in a literal sense as one of the main attractions will be a series of grass track races. Racers from the National Endurance Grass Track League and the National Short Distance Grass League will be competing across both days.

In terms of participation, there will be a whole swathe of group rides – one of which will head out to tackle the infamous Rosedale Chimney Bank climb on the North York Moors with its unforgiving 30 per cent gradient. There will also be at least one ride of under ten miles for those who might find such a prospect rather unenticing, as well as a Tweed Ride for vintage enthusiasts.

Displays include the Pedal Power Invention Convention which will celebrate human powered machines, cargo bikes, sound systems and DIY creations. There will also be a ‘trade village’ of cycling exhibitors as well as various auctions and sales. Camping space is also available and can be booked in advance up until June 1.

The volunteers of the York Rally Committee have had to raise around £18,000 to cover the basic costs of the event, much of which came about as a result of a sportive run last September. Even so, the committee is at pains to emphasise that every penny counts, to the extent that organisers using the campsite have had to book pitches at the same prices as everyone else.