York Cycle Rally 2023

Posted by sloeburn

24 – 26/06/23

My first visit to the York Cycle Rally. I loved it. All different shapes and sizes of bikes and people, more variety than I imagined (on both fronts – especially gender-non-conforming people). Got to meet some excellent yacf folk.

After a few disasters (luggage failure, water butt collapse, cat sick) I ended up leaving later than planned and on a different bike. At nearly 50 kms it was my longest ride of the year. Ok I did walk up a few hills.

Leeds to Tadcaster is ok, and then there is a cycle lane alongside an unpleasant A road towards York. And then it just stops. So you are deposited on a dual carriageway whether you like it or not. And then I missed the turn off I should have taken so got a bit of extra joy.

  • That’s a world record holding tandem

Had a good look around nosing at all the different cycles.

I was especially looking forward to seeing the ICE stand, and was treated to test rides on THREE trikes: A VTX (so laid back you have to sort of fall into the seat), a SPRINT X, and an e-ADVENTURE (first time on an e-bike). Time to start buying lottery tickets, or take up bank robbery.

  • SPRINT X (front) and e-ADVENTURE
  • VTX

I think a tandem trike on top of a Mini sums up the weekend pretty well.