2019 badges, a new band, good news for vegans and much more…

With just a month to go it’s time for another York Rally update! We’ve plenty to get through so please read on for more details on the following:

2019 badges are now here! Pick yours up at the Rally or order online.
Children’s activities – boosted for 2019 with a treasure hunt and the return of Punch & Judy!
A new band for Saturday night, as long-serving favourites The Foresters have retired…
Good news for vegans – and also for those arriving on Friday…
The Quiz on Friday night – tables are going fast so book now for your team!
Rally round-up – Sportive, thank you to Villages Guides, thank you to Tandem Club, a reminder to bring cycling donations, Audax entries open (also for a new shorter ride), and a new Retro Ride coming up…

1. 2019 badges

2019 badges are here! Thanks to all who helped with the design on Facebook – we’re very happy with the final version, which references the historic Clock Tower which overlooks the Knavesmire. Pick one up at the Rally or order online below…

Order badges now!

2. Children’s activities

We’re boosting the free activities for children at the Rally – on and off the bike. First we have a new Treasure Hunt for secret stones. Then there’s the welcome return of Wildlife Activities from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and also the return of Punch and Judy. Plus the Grand Parade and opportunities to race – click below to read all the details!

What’s on for kids!

3. A new band

After many years (decades?) of dedicated service at the Rally, we are sad to announce that The Foresters (pictured) have finally decided to retire. So the live music on Saturday evening will be from a versatile new band with a country music background – please do make them welcome! Rock and roll band The Sonics will also be back on Saturday morning…

4. Catering update

We always try to get a good varierty of catering outlets at the Rally, but it’s often been hard to book vegetarian and vegan options on what is a busy summer weekend. So we’re delighted that for 2019 we have booked Mio Pizza, a local wood-fired pizza specialist. And even better, their offerings include a full vegan menu (PDF)!

They, and other outlets including the Brew York bar, will be open from when gates open on Friday evening. Please do stay on site to eat if you can – the Rally benefits from a percentage of your spend, and it means we can better attract vendors next year!

Check out the vegan pizza menu!

5. The new Friday evening quiz

Tables are booking up for the new cycling and general knowledge quiz on Friday evening! Book your team’s entry now. Teams will have a table each (for up to six players) and as there’s finite space in the Lounge marquee numbers are strictly limited. Team entries cost £10 and are open now for online booking – also on the day if there are tables still available. The quiz will start at 7:30 PM. For all the details, and bookings, see: http://yorkrally.org/quiz/

Book your team’s table now!

6. Rally round-up

Thanks to all who ride our recent fundraising Sportive – and to all of the volunteer team who helped make it happen! Read more, and see the pictures, on the Sportive web page.
Many thanks to the “Villages Guides to Local Business Services” who have kindly advertised the Rally in their informative publication which is circulated to households across Yorkshire and beyond.
Many thanks to The Tandem Club who recently ran an article about the Rally in their club magazine. We’ll look forward to seeing many tandems on the Knavesmire in June!
A reminder that our Saddlebag Sale cycle jumble will have a table selling donated items to raise funds for the Rally – please remember to bring anything you can spare!
Showers – campers will be happy to hear that for 2019 these will be connected to mains power and drainage, and so we can extend the opening hours: now 6AM to 10 PM. They’ll be located inside the fenced enclosure to make this possible.
Rides – we’ll have more details shortly in our next update, but we’ll be running a full schedule of rides from the Rally, as ever. We’re also looking forward to a new Retro Ride – and a note that entries for the 100k Audax are open now, alongside entries for a new 50k Audax ride – both on Saturday morning.

And finally

Please do book anything you can online ahead of the Rally – this really does help reduce the pressure on our volunteers on the day, and helps us plan. So please do book your campsite pitch, saddlebag sale table, quiz team table, and order any badges or clothing in good time – thank you in advance!

All online bookings will close on the Monday (17th June) before the Rally.

Thank you again for your support of the York Rally – we’re already looking forward to seeing many of you in June!

With best regards,
The York Rally Team