At the heart of the York Rally is the programme of rides – that’s what cycling is all about. We are proud to host rides run by numerous local and national clubs and organisations, as well as some led by generous volunteers. Do please contact our Rides Co-ordinator Gary if you, or your club, could lead or organise a ride!
We’ll confirm the 2020 rides programme ASAP! Rides range from family friendly pootles to evening pub rides to all-day adventures into the Yorkshire Moors and Dales.
Unless otherwise mentioned, there is no need to register in advance on any of these led rides, and participation is free. Just turn up on the day! Exact departure locations will be clearly marked on site (see map in the show programme for the rides departure area), and details are also at Rally HQ.
2019 rides
Friday 21st June
- 6.30pm – York Greenways evening pub ride with fish & chips on the way!
Leader Peter Huxford says “Pub Ride with Fish and Chips, along the Solar System Greenway and quiet country lanes. Lights needed.” Approx 7 miles each way.
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 7:40pm – Evening pub ride to the Carlton Tavern, Holgate, York.
Short ride to this nearby (less than two miles away) pub. As with all evening rides, you MUST be equipped with working lights. Leader is Malcolm Carline.
Route map here and GPX file here.
Saturday 22nd June
- 8:50am – ‘Ambitious’ ride to Fridaythorpe.
Leader: Lynn Bland. Fast/medium pace, 13-15 mph, 61 miles, aim to return around 2pm.
Route map here and GPX file here.
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- 9 am – 100k Audax
Please enter now for the 100k (9am departure) and the new 50k route (9.30am) – the links take you to the Audax UK website. Numbers are limited but entries on the day will also be possible if spaces remain (Audax UK entry fee applies). This year the 100k route is slightly revised for more accurate total distance.
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 9:10am – ‘Classic’ ride
Stamford Bridge, 37 miles, medium pace, estimated return 2 pm. Leader: Andrew Richardson. (York Wednesday Wheelers: www.wwyork.org).
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 9:20am – ‘Easy’ ride
Slow/family ride to Riccall, where the Methodist Hall will be open with refreshments from 10 am to 1 pm. 19 miles, estimated return 1:30 pm. Self-led (ask for a map at HQ if you need one).
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 9.30am – 50k Audax
NEW: We have a new 50k Audax route – please enter via the Audax UK website. Numbers are limited but entries on the day will also be possible if spaces remain (Audax UK entry fee applies). Route heads to Tadcaster and beyond.
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 9.50 am – NEW Retro ride!
NEW: Get out your classic cycles for this 26 mile ride through undulating countryside to Tadcaster and beyond. Mainly on quiet country lanes with pub or cafe stop at midpoint. Leader: David Kimberley.
Bikes: no hard and fast rules, nobody will be turned away, but this ride is aimed at fans of ‘classic’ pre-90s bikes, usually steel-framed, and which could have e.g. toe-clips, downtube shifters, brake cables from top of brake hoods…
Route map here and GPX file here.
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- 10am – York Greenways super easy “Eco” family ride to Naburn
“Traffic free eco ride to Naburn along the Solar System Greenway with stops to see York’s unique iridescent Tansy Beetle habitat and Urban Buzz’s wild flowers. Mid morning refreshments at Naburn Station. Visit www.yorkgreenways.org for more info and video.” Under 4 miles each way.
Route map here and GPX file here.
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- 11:30am – York Greenways slightly longer ride
This will be on the ‘Way of the Roses’ going to the National Trust’s Beningborough Hall, 9 miles each way – largely traffic free but with a couple of miles on road. The start is timed to be there for lunch, return around 3:30PM.
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 1.30pm – RSF Ride – off road.
Destination Dunnington & beyond – leader Rob Newton. About 20 miles using cycle tracks, bridleways and quiet roads. Estimated return 4:30pm.
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 6pm – “VV” pub ride
Mostly traffic free. About five miles each way. Destination: Blacksmith’s Arms, Naburn. Self led this year – ask at HQ for a map. Details here
Route map here and GPX file here.
Sunday 23rd June
- 8:45am – Church service ride
To Naburn. Mostly traffic free. An all age worship service will take place at St Matthew’s, Naburn, at 9:30 AM. There will be a marshalled ride back after the service. Gather opposite Rally on cycle path across the horseracing track – see map in programme. More details and pictures here. Leader Paul Reid.
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 9.00am – NEW York Greenways Historical Promenade
NEW! A short traffic-free ride to see professional actors lead a walking drama event along the Solar System Greenway, representing highlights of the history of the route with railwaymen, miners and cycle path builders. Suitable for families. Leader: Peter Huxford
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 10.00am – RSF Ride
Off road – destination ‘Pluto’, Riccall – leader Geoff Smith. About 8 miles each way.
Route map here and GPX file here.
. - 2:00pm – York Greenways Velodrome ride
Ride to York’s Sports Village and velodrome. 5 miles or so each way. Route back is along the Foss Island Greenway via St Nicks Environment Centre. Leader: Peter Huxford
Route map here and GPX file here.
All York Greenways rides listed are led by a trained ride leader. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Riders will be issued with a map of the route and will have the option of spending more time at any of the attractions visited.
Any time
- Self-guided rides are also very popular at the Rally – just head out with your friends! If you’re short of ideas iTravel York have 8 free route sheets to download… and the York CTC have a helpful list of cyclist-friendly cafes.
- For gentle, largely traffic free self-guided rides, check out the routes developed by Sustrans as part of their Slow Tour of Yorkshire. Two of them start very close to the Rally site:
- York to Naburn is just five flat miles each way, almost entirely on an old railway line and going past the scale model solar system. You can join it between Points 3 and 4 on the free PDF map direct from the Rally site. Several of the short rides listed above will also use some or all of this route.
- York to Beningbrough Hall is a little longer at nine miles each way, but again it’s largely off road and flat. Start point on the map is York train station, just a few minutes’ ride from the Rally via Sustrans Route 65.
Anybody wishing to check out the latest ride information is very welcome to follow the latest updates at @YorkRallyRides on Twitter. Please do not be offended if we don’t follow you back – this account will only be following a few relevant people and organisations who are involved with day/touring rides, to reduce the ‘noise’ usually associated with Twitter.
This page will be updated regularly with the latest details.
Finally, anybody wishing to lead or assist with rides (backmarkers and group leaders for rides with larger numbers) is invited to express an interest by emailing the Rides Co-ordinator on: rides@yorkrally.org.
Many thanks to the following organisations for their help with the rides:
The nationwide club for riders who enjoy a mix of on and off road cycling!
York Greenways – local volunteers caring for local greenways
York Bike Belles
Thanks to Audax UK for organising the 100k ride on the Saturday!
Thanks to Ride Social from British Cycling and Sky Ride for running rides!