York Cycle Rally 2023

Sunday 25th June, York Rally 2023:

High temperatures (nudging 30 Degrees Celsius), high humidity and a forecast of thunderstorms thrown into the mix meant that some club members had decided to take a day’s rest at home, or for Chris Owen a swim in Grimsby Dock. Never the less, Tim Newbery, Rob Cook, Alan Hockham and Paul Linder met up at Howden a little before 9.30 am for the 50 miles ride to York Rally and back.

The Rally, originally set up in 1945 by Cyclists’ Touring Club’s Yorkshire Inter District Association Committee is now run by the ‘Friends of York Rally', an all-volunteer team.

Sitting by Howden Minster in the sunshine was delightful. Originally the site on an 8th Century Saxon Church belonging to the Bishop of Peterborough, building of the new church began in 1228 by the Monks of Durham. Howden’s wealth was considerable, a lot of the money derived from visitors to the shrine of John of Howden.

With 9.30 am approaching, time to stir ourselves and head off along Sustrans NCN 65 to York. A very pleasant temperature at this time of the morning and with a tail wind we were soon passing by Asselby to Barmby on Marsh. A village sign decorated with the Yorkshire Rose indicated we were in ‘God’s Own Country’. Barmby incidentally, derives its name from Old Norse with ‘barn’ or bairn’ meaning child.

Passing by the first of many Sustrans Millennium Markers we’d reach Barmby Tidal Barrage. Built in 1975 the Barrage stops the saline and sediment-rich tidal waters of the Ouse from contaminating the fresh and clear waters of the Derwent, which, further upstream, is extracted for drinking water.

Now for some ‘rough stuff’ along the track following the banks of the Ouse. We had to be careful not only with a deep rut but also avoiding sheep and cattle who grazed lazily, reluctant to move. Tim had recounted that on some years we were wading through flood waters and hoped we’d not be troubled on our return.

Having safely navigated our way to Hemmingbrough, we passed the Crown Inn which looked inviting and would no doubt prove popular later in the afternoon. Following on from a few miles of fine surfaced road, Turnham Lane degenerated into a rather broken concrete track which then ran alongside the River Ouse to Selby. Much more overgrown than in recent years, brambles drew blood but Alan is made of stern stuff and it wasn’t long before we dismounted by Selby Abbey to take refreshment at ‘The George Inn’, soaking in the stunning views of the “Mitred” Abbey, an honour bestowed in 1256 and which it held until dissolution.

After nearly an hour’s rest and with the prospect of temperatures climbing into the ‘hot’ category, we’d mount our steeds for the onward journey to Barlby and Riccall where we’d connect up with the ‘Solar System Greenway’. We were expecting a great volume of cycling traffic but in the end, it was easy enough to navigate, greeting a couple of groups who were on led rides from York Rally and a few solo riders and families out enjoying the day.

By Heron wood we’d encounter an increasing number of cherry trees and in spite of the recent very dry spell of weather, had produced a bountiful crop of succulent fruit. In true Chris spirit, Rob and Tim were happy to forage and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of their labour.

At Naburn Railway Swing Bridge, now renamed the “Fisher of Dreams”, time for a water break and it was pleasant to view the sailing dinghies navigating the River Ouse below. Some had spinnakers to catch the breeze, others with booms swivelling on the gooseneck. A fine sight.

The final leg now to the Knavesmire and the chance to visit York Rally. Sadly, still no grass track racing and it seemed as if there were fewer stalls and trade tents than last time but the 2023 programme indicated that there had been a full itinerary of activities over the weekend with live music, a series of talks and a wide variety of led rides. Arriving at 12.45 pm, we would have been in time to have joined the 10 mile ‘The Col de Kimbelow’ departing at 1 pm but some preferred a snooze in the shade, and why not.

Great to have met up with Cycling UK Gainsborough and Ride Leader Trevor Halstead and he too noted the downturn in numbers attending the event. Rob recognised familiar faces from the last time he visited and it would appear that the stalwarts are keen to carry on the tradition.

2 pm and with ice creams having been consumed (even Rob had been tempted), we’d look forward to the return ride. Skies were slowly clouding over, cumulus humilus morphing into cumulus congenitus and, in the distance, cumilus nimnbus. Signs maybe of some ‘lively’ weather to follow.

First however a stop to view interpretation boards at Heron Wood which detailed that we were situated directly above the northern most extent of the Selby ‘super pit’ coal mining complex. The Selby ‘super pit’ was the largest deep coal mining project undertaken anywhere in the world. In 1983 the danger of subsidence along this trackbed resulted in the diversion of the East Coast Mainline between Selby and York to where it runs today. The complex eventually closed in 2004.

Arriving back in Selby, a stop at the George Inn for a round of cold drinks went down well. Views from the window turned near black and rain was soon seen bouncing off the ground. After waiting till skies cleared, we set off thinking we’d missed the storms but thunder and lightning and heavy rain soon forced a halt close to Turnham Hall whilst we sheltered in a disused barn. Rob surmised that Turnham refers to the turn of the road or the river and indeed that is the case, dating to the latter part of the 12th Century.

Historically, the River Ouse has meandered varyingly across the region, once through Cliffe. The wealthy and powerful Turnham family (connections with the crusades and Richard the Lionheart) took their name from the bend in the river and built a moated manor house with chapel as early as 1327 but what’s visible today was constructed about 1800, named Turnham Hall. Rather fine in faded glory none the less.

Returning to the grass track leading to the barrage, we wondered how slippy it might be after the rain. Care was required not only in preventing slips and spills but in avoiding the cattle wandering across the cycleway. Paul would have a close encounter with the bull.

Continuing through Asselby, Tim resisting temptation for a pint at the Black Swan, we returned to Howden at about 5 pm having covered 50 miles. Tired, but having enjoyed a fine day out. Many thanks to all.