Welcome to the York Rally!
York Rally 2019
We hope you enjoyed the 2019 York Rally! Some first pictures are now online here. Please bear with us while we update this website for 2020 and another friendly weekend of cycling on York’s Knavesmire. Entry, parking and almost all activities are completely free of charge!
Whether you cycle already or not, please do come along, bring the family and have a go! There’s a family atmosphere and plenty to do all weekend, including live music, food and a real ale bar.
The York Rally, founded in 1945, is famous as the UK’s historic gathering for cycle tourers, grass-roots racers, vintage cycle experts and more! And it’s also 100% volunteer organised!
There’s camping on site for the many visitors who stay for the whole weekend – book early for the lowest prices!
Or just turn up and pay on the day – there is plenty of room. We’ve space for tents, caravans and motorhomes alike.
I feel the need to express what an incredible weekend we had at our first York Rally. Absolutely everything was perfect, from the communications beforehand to ensure our group were sited together on the fantastically spacious pitches, the day-parking organisation, clean toilets (unheard of for portaloos after a weekend!), reasonably priced food, friendliness of the volunteers, and the provision of what I can honestly say is the best and quietest route I’ve ridden in the UK… (from a visitor in 2018, left on our Facebook page)
What’s on and when
Buy a show programme on the day for just £1 to see the full schedule!
Friday
- Gates open 4pm
- Catering and bar open 4pm
- Evening quiz: 7:30pm
- Evening rides
Saturday
- Throughout the day: rides for all abilities, catering and bar, trade show and cycle displays
- Morning: children’s activities, live music
- Afternoon: BSCA championship on the arena, cycle auction, talks, all-comers parade on the arena
- Evening: More talks, live music, food and good company
Sunday
- Throughout the day: rides for all abilities, catering and bar, trade show and cycle displays
- Morning: Church service ride, children’s activities open, Saddlebag Sale
- Afternoon: Cyclo-cross racing for all ages, talks
- Close: Event closes at 4:30 pm (although some campers and volunteers stay on site until Monday)
Eat, drink and be merry
There’s a great range of caterers offering food and hot drinks on site at the Rally, covering the whole event from when gates open on Friday afternoon, to the early mornings for breakfast and through the day into the evenings. For 2019 we also have vegan pizzas! Plus there’s a real ale bar from award winning local brewers Brew York, coffee and ice cream… Please do support the on-site catering with your custom so that they’ll continue to support the event – and because a percentage of the takings goes towards the cost of running the Rally! Find out more.
Thoroughly enjoyed my visit to York Rally over the weekend. Excellent organisation, super atmosphere and very very busy indeed. Full credit must go to the volunteer organisers who worked tirelessly in both organising this event and then working throughout during the hot weather this weekend – all done with a smile on their faces […] I was surprised by the 1,000s in attendance each day at York, I can see this event going from strength to strength. Very well done everybody involved and see you again next year! (from a visitor in 2018, left on our Facebook page)
Bag a bargain at the Rally
The trade show
The York Rally trade show is a great opportunity to see the latest cycling gear and consult industry experts about anything from electric bikes to wheelbuilding, and to obtain specialist kit for e.g. touring. You might also bag a bargain or two! Find out more about the trade show.
Rides at the Rally
The York Rally is the starting point for masses of rides, ranging from short, family-friendly pootles to evening pub rides to all-day adventures into the Yorkshire Moors and Dales. This year we also have a new Retro Ride for classic steel-framed bike enthusiasts. Find out more about the rides.
Our most recent fundraising Sportive took place on the 28th April 2019. Next time, could you too join the ride into the beautiful North York Moors? Or the ‘Retro’ for classic bikes?
If you don’t fancy a ride, how about helping out on the day? If you could marshall, help at food stops or just be there, please let us know!
Our partners
More info soon on the many partner organisations whose activities and support are essential to the Rally.