Rally and Festival are shaping up! Help us by distributing the 2024 flyers…
As we look forward to warmer weather, an update on preparations for the York Rally and York Cycle Festival 2024!
- We’ve printed our 2024 A5 flyers! Front artwork is above, and the reverse is below. We rely very largely on volunteers to help us distribute these to fellow cyclists and anyone else who may be interested – so if you could help promote the event by finding good homes for some, please just email publicity@yorkrally.org with your name, how many you’d like and your postal address, and we’ll send them off to you with our thanks!
- A good news round-up from the Rides team:
- The Retro Ride is back – this will be suitable for all manner of older bikes, whether they are roadsters, road bikes, Moultons or even high wheelers! So polish up your pride and joy, and join us for a ride into the countryside around York!
- Audax is back in force! There will be two rides available. The first is a 100k ride to Knaresborough and the second is a mighty 400k “Summertime Blues” ride through the Yorkshire Dales to the Vale of Eden and back to the Rally, well-supported with multiple village hall food stops. To join either ride you will need to register and enter online (using the links above), or by post, and pay the (modest) fee for each ride.
- Finally, good news that Aldwark Toll Bridge (free for cyclists!) has re-opened in good time ahead of the Rally. This is a very useful river crossing over the River Ure for cycle routes in the Easingwold area, and it is now full open again after repairs.
- A heads-up that we have had significant safety concerns raised about the level of motor vehicle movements on the site during the Rally, especially at busy times for cycle and pedestrian traffic, such as when led rides are setting off. It is very likely that we will have to restrict motor vehicle movements at times during the 2024 and future events. We are still working on the details, and will let everyone know about any new arrangements ASAP. We will do our very best to ensure that any restrictions are kept to the minimum compatible with safety.
- We also regret that due to non-negotiable requirements from our insurer, we will be unable to offer any electric bike battery charging facilities at Rally HQ this year. Please contact us if this will cause you serious difficulties.
- A shout out to the new organisers of the revived Kirkpartrick MacMillan (KM) Rally which returns for 2024 about a month before the York Rally – 24-26 May. It’s another historic cycling weekend based in southern Scotland (just north of Dumfries) and we’re sure they’d welcome bookings and support from people who enjoy the York Rally!
- A quick note that we’ve confirmed with Rally live music regulars The Sonics and Linda J that they’ll be back to perform at the 2024 event. We may even have some new acts, too…!
- Finally, did you know we have a supporters’ club? You can join the Friends of York Rally from just £5/year, and this will get you a free programme and Friends badge at the next Rally! All funds from memberships go to support the event, and any generous donations towards the (substantial) costs are also most welcome. Thank you!
We’re working hard to make this next York Rally – and Festival – the best yet! Our next organising team planning meeting is coming up on the 6th April, 10:30am at St Chad’s Church Hall, Campleshon Road, York – there’ll also be a Zoom option. As ever, all are very welcome to attend.
Finally, another reminder that discounted earlybird rates for campsite pitches are only available until the end of April – please do book your campsite pitch ASAP!
