The 2025 York Cycle Rally & Festival is just days away – gates open at 4pm on the 20-22 June, for the 80th anniversary event since the very first York Rally in 1945!
As we close in on the event a few last updates:
Weather – dry and hot!
Since our last email the forecast has just got better and better! We’re now expecting to enjoy a super warm, sunny weekend. We want everyone to stay safe in the sunshine of course – temperatures could be up to about 30 degrees – so please do bring hats, shades and suncream, and take extra care during the event to keep well hydrated:
More final updates!
- A reminder that the roadway along the enclosure fence will be closed to motor traffic for most of the day during Saturday and Sunday – this is to keep pedestrians and riders safe. There will be a diversion route through the campsite. At the very busiest periods when rides are departing on Saturday and Sunday mornings we will also have to limit motor vehicle movements across the horse racing track at the main entrance to site – please try to avoid these times and if you must go in or out by car, please be patient and follow the volunteer marshall’s instructions.
- Please check the Rides page for the latest on the led rides programme! We have for the first time had to limit numbers on rides – but thanks to all of our volunteer ride leaders, we now have more rides, so hope there will still be spaces for everyone! Please sign up for rides in advance, at the Info Hub.
- The organisers for the two Audax rides starting at the event would like to remind anyone intending to ride either the York Rally 100k or 400k Summertime Blues rides to please enter online via Audax UK – but there will also be some entries available on the day (at the Info Hub) for the 100k. There’s also a talk about Audax and long-distance cycling from Laura Massey-Pugh on Saturday…
- Entries are invited for the grasstrack racing! Organised by the National Clarion Cycling Club, this two day event (Saturday and Sunday) on the famous York Knavesmire will be for Seniors, Juniors, Youth and Freewheel riders (under 16’s), male and female including Sprint, Handicap and Endurance races for two full afternoons of grass track action! With apologies for the delay, entries are now live via British Cycling. Online entries will be open until Thursday 9pm and there will be entries on the day, too.
- For children: Don’t forget to bring your child’s balance bike (and your child!) if they would like to join the Focus Ridesbalance bike racing! And for those aleady pedalling, Apex Cycle Coaching return with U16s skills sessions, which you can book to join on the day. Both should be superb fun – for each, there’s just a small fee to participate to cover costs and insurance.
- Extra details for the Show and Shine from head judge Chris Longbone: “Entries are welcome from all Festival visitors for the Show and Shine! Bring your best retro bike… There are rosettes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in pre and post year 2000 mountain and road bikes and retro BMX, and trophies for 1st place.There will also be a category for specials such as recumbents, trikes and bikes that ain’t too usual! Judging format will be focused on completed bikes, how clean, how period they are, how well presented and the attention to detail, and amongst other things…are they cool? Come see me at the Retrobike stand to register and get a little sticker for the bike (masking tape with a number) from 9am Sunday and before 10am. There’s a £1 entry fee which pays for the rosettes etc. You will need to bring your own stand and lock. Judging will take place from 10 till 11ish and results 12.30 after a brew and general agreement with all the judges. If you want to be a judge, please just ask me!”
- Many thanks to the local York Press for this excellent article telling the people of York about the upcoming event. We’ve also already recorded interviews with some local TV and radio, so are hoping for a good local turnout!
We can’t wait to see everyone on the Knavesmire again in just a few days for another York Cycle Rally and Festival!
Until then, tailwinds and safe cycling!
The all-volunteer York Cycle Rally & Festival organising team