Order your York Rally clothing now!

Hoodie
Hoodie

Just a note that the York Rally Merchandise page is now live!

There’s both online ordering and a ‘print out and send in by post’ order form, to order T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and full zip fleeces printed or embroidered with the 2015 York Rally logo.

T-shirt - small logo
T-shirt

There are three colours, and a range of sizes in men’s, women’s and children’s styles. You can either have items posted or pick them up at the Rally. We’ll only have a few demo samples at the event itself, so ordering is essential! Of course you will also be able to order items at the Rally for delivery afterwards by post.

Polo Shirt
Polo Shirt

Cut-off date for orders for collection at the Rally is the 1st June 2015.

Go to the York Rally Merchandise page to see the full range and place an order!

Any money made from merchandise sales will help fund the revival of the York Rally, and as you wear your Rally clothing with pride you’ll be helping to spread the word about the event, too!

 

The York Rally Sportive rides again: 20th September 2015!

Following last year’s successful fundraising Sportive, the York Rally is organising a repeat event this year, on the 20th September 2015. The three routes (36 km, 100 km & 140 km, about 22, 62 & 86 miles respectively) are as last year, possibly with just minor changes.

You can read a report on last year’s event here, and click below for a taste of the reaction from riders:

As last year, the routes will start from Wigginton Village Hall just north of York, and the longer rides will head up into the spectacular North York Moors, while the shorter ride stays to the mostly flat countryside below the Howardian Hills.

The organisers have a long list of improvements to put in place after last year’s Sportive, the first we’d run. This will include clearly identifiable signs (and even more of them!) and also completely accurate GPX routes: these will be added to this page for you to download as soon as they’re finalised.

Read all about this year’s Sportive and enter online now!

Announcing a major new attraction for the York Rally – the Pedal Power Invention Convention!

We’re proud to announce a major new attraction for the Rally, the wonderful Pedal Power Invention Convention!

Gloriously mad, superbly practical, massive fun: pedal powered inventions and devices can be any of those! They’re also almost irresistable to pedallers of all ages: everyone wants a go.

invention jpg - IC side -390x1066We’re bringing all of this excitement, plus the geeky satisfaction of hacker, off grid and DIY engineering culture, to the Rally this year! Organised by a local artist, the Pedal Power Invention Convention will bring new life, sights and sounds (pedal powered naturally) to the Knavesmire.

Subject to Lottery funding, it’ll also go into schools and colleges in the weeks and months before the Rally, inspiring design-and-build activity to spark young minds – and to bring the results together at the Convention for a pedal-powered celebration!

The more serious aspect of the Invention Convention is all about how bikes beyond the diamond frame can be seriously useful. So cargo bikes can transport the Rally’s rubbish. Recumbent trikes can extend a touring life when balance is difficult. Family cycles can transport children to school in safety and comfort. And a pedal generator or tool could be a huge labour saver off-grid – or even a life-saver where mains power is not available.

invention jpg - YR side -390x1066This promises to be the biggest and best gathering of unusual cycles, pedal powered machines, human powered sound systems and cinemas, DIY recumbents, custom cycle choppers and artbikes the UK has ever seen. We don’t yet know how big it will be – but we have the whole of the huge Knavesmire to host it, and the more the merrier!

If you’re coming, check out the main Invention Convention page and do drop a note about what you’re bringing, there or below.  If you’re camping, you’ll need to book a pitch and mention the Convention as the group you’d like to be located with – there should be a fantastic campsite atmosphere, with cycling chat all the way through to 11PM, when all needs to be quiet so that tired pedallers can get their sleep!

Contact the Invention Convention: Phone 07580 770883 or E-mail : invention@yorkrally.org or use the form below:

    This form is no longer active.

    Rides updated, auction is back!

    An initial update following our meeting earlier today:

    • We just updated the ‘Rides at the Rally’ page with the latest confirmed rides – the schedule for Saturday is filling out, and there are several more in the pipeline! Latest details always on: https://twitter.com/YorkRallyRides
    • The Auction Sale is back! Still a few logistical details to be finalised, but the basic format is back for the Saturday of the Rally. See what you can make from that bike or part you no longer need – you might be surprised! Details here.

    More to follow shortly…

    Next meeting coming up on Saturday!

    We’re getting back up to speed with Rally organising after the Christmas break, and our next meeting is coming up on Saturday 17th Jan – all are welcome downstairs at York Bike Shed on Micklegate, York at 10AM. Newcomers are especially welcome!

    Many thanks meanwhile to everyone who has joined the Friends of York Rally to support the Rally’s revival. Our treasurer Rachel reports on Facebook that we’ve recently added the 150th member!

    We’re also past the 100 mark for campsite bookings – but our target is 500+, so there’s a way to go yet! Earlybird prices are still active, so please do book now if you haven’t already!

    On the website front, there’s now a new page under the ‘Visitor information’ menu for the 2015 Rally, detailing all of the displays and activities confirmed so far.

    There should be plenty of other progress to report  after the meeting – will update this site ASAP!

    As yet, we can’t promise a hot air balloon as shown in this image from 1995. Balloons are still launched regularly from the Knavesmire (and there’ll be space for this even with the Rally running), but whether we’re treated to the sight will depend on wind and weather.

    1995 "A hot air balloon launched at the far end of the Knavesmire and carried over the camp site early Sunday morning 1995." Photo: Barry Raynor
    1995 “A hot air balloon launched at the far end of the Knavesmire and carried over the camp site early Sunday morning 1995.” Photo: Barry Raynor

     

     

    National Series grasstrack racing returns to the York Rally!

    yr-artwork01We are proud to welcome racers of the National Endurance Grass Track League and National Short Distance Grass League back to the Rally!

    The grasstrack racing arena will be the centrepiece of the  revived Rally, and we hope for a top class field of competitors.

    Adult/Junior ( male and female) racing will be on the Saturday, and Youth racing on Sunday.

    Entries are now live via the British Cycling website: see full race details and how to enter (online or by post) via British Cycling.

    All of the latest details and info will be added to the Grasstrack Racing page on the Rally website.

    If anyone has any pictures of the grasstrack events at past Rallies, we’d love to use some to help promote this event!  Please email publicity@yorkrally.org, or just leave a comment below this story.

    The Saddlebag Sale (cycle jumble) is back!

    More shortly from the meeting – there are plenty of developments to catch up with!

    But for now just a note that the Saddlebag Sale cycle jumble is now confirmed as running on the Sunday morning of the Rally, with doors opening to buyers from 11AM. Sellers can set up from 10AM.

    Entry will be free with a show programme (costing £1), otherwise £1.

    Sellers (strictly secondhand goods only) can book tables for £10 – but there are just 50 available, and it will be first come first served. Online bookings are open now – this is always a popular event so get in early to be sure of a space!

    Meeting and AGM – this Saturday!

    Just a reminder that we’re meeting again as the York Rally Committee (and having our AGM) this Saturday (29th November) at 10AM, downstairs at ‘Your Bike Shed’ in Micklegate, York.

    All are very welcome to attend, whether you’re just curious, would like to make a suggestion, or would like to volunteer.

    Here ‘s some of us at a previous meeting:

    York Rally meeting, Sept 2015
    York Rally meeting, Sept 2015

     

     

    Book in the next month to get the lowest campsite prices!

    2010 York Rally - riders set off past the site. Photo: Peter Eland
    2010 York Rally – riders set off past the site. Photo: Peter Eland

    Just a note that the ‘super earlybird’ campsite booking rates end a month today, as you’ll see on the campsite bookings page – you’ll need to book before the 20th December to enjoy the largest discounts.

    Earlybird reductions do continue after that, but to a lesser extent, until the 6th April 2015 – then bookings are at full price until they close on the 1st of June. After that, you’ll need to book in on arrival…

    Early bookings really do help the Rally – not only with much-needed funds to help cover the up-front costs of staging the event, but also for planning and site layout purposes. The sooner we have an idea of confirmed numbers, the earlier we can start making firm arrangements for the various parts of the site!

    Finally, thanks from the campsite team and the whole committee to everyone who has already booked in!

    The road race that ran to the Rally

    More scanning! We’re back in 1963, with a major road race running from London to York, and ending in front of the crowds at the Knavesmire:

    1963-200miler-cover (Large)

    The full programme shows a list of entrants, prize money and an (unfortunately not very legible) list of officials and supporters:

    Most interesting perhaps is the route:

    1963 london to york route (Large)

    Not sure it’d be so easy to arrange a race up the A1 today!

    We also have a clipping from (I assume) one of the cycling mags of the day:

    1963-200miler-report (Large)

    One day, perhaps, we’ll attract a race finish back to the revived Rally!