York Rally 2022

York Rally 2022

After an absence of a few years due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the York Rally made a return this week-end, held as usual at Knavesmire in York. Cycling UK Louth has been attending for about 20 years and today it was Tim Newbery who would be representing the group, having received apologies from John Ambler, John Rickett, Neil Parnham, Alan Hockham, Reg Bagshaw, Mike Gray, Chris Owen, Paul Linder and Rob Cook.

The weather forecast had been very discouraging earlier in the week but upon arrival at Howden, the sun was shining brightly, although in the end it would be rather briefly. Howden has a fascinating history with the Minster being most notable. 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.

The church bells chimed the half hour and signalled the scheduled 9.30 departure. Tim would be following Sustrans NCN route 65 all the way to York. Initially a low-lying marsh lane through Asselby with its distinctive Dutch styled gable houses. Just beyond Barmby on the Marsh, a Millennium Marker would signal that Tim was on the right tracks, crossing the River Derwent at the 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.

The Sustrans track runs along the banks of the River Ouse from here and is rich in wildlife. No birds of prey in sight for a change but a large and varied of selection of butterflies made for a joyful ride. Continuing past the A63 Swing Bridge and Selby Railway Swing Bridge, the distinctive tower of Selby Abbey soon came into sight. Perfect timing for breakfast sitting outside the George Inn, taking in the stunning views of the “Mitred” Abbey, an honour bestowed in 1256 and which it held until dissolution.

Continuing northbound now and into a brisk headwind, the route continued to Ricall and the start of Sustrans ‘Solar System’ Greenway, marked again by a newly painted millennium post. Great to see so many cyclists including families and teenagers on the route which has just undergone major repairs and a newly laid asphalt surface. Superb.

Some fine scenery too with fields of golden yellow mixed with hues of green. Idyllic perhaps until interpretation boards at Heron Wood 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.

With the sun appearing through increasing sized holes in the cloud, it wouldn’t be too long before Tim approached the former Naburn Railway Swing Bridge, now renamed the “Fisher of Dreams”. Tim was surprised but delighted to meet up with David Buckingham from Cycling UK Lincoln who was camping at the Rally.

A few miles more and an arrival at the Kanvesmire. Once a glacial lake, Knavesmire quite literally means “commoner’s marshland”. Drained over the centuries, it became the home of the racecourse in 1731. The idea of a cycle rally originated from an idea from the Hull and East Riding District Association in 1944 to hold an event in or near York and the first Rally took place at the Knavesmire in 1945. No grass track racing at this year’s Rally but there was still plenty to see and things to do. Stalls included vintage cycles and adapted e-bikes and there were also a number of talks in progress whilst the bar was proving popular. Tim had missed the ride to Naburn Church for the annual cyclists’ service but that would have meant a 5.30 am departure from Howden!

After meeting up with Cycling UK Gainsborough’s Trevor Halstead and having enjoyed a pleasant chat, it was time eventually to make tracks back to Howden.

The wind would now assist and good progress was made along the Greenway, noticing the cherry trees where Chris always enjoyed a ‘forage’. Plenty of ripe fruit. Onwards to Ricall and it was interesting to see a rider on an ‘Ordinary’. Make room please. A brief stop to pick up supplies for a picnic and then along the rough tracks of the Ouse Bank to Turnham and the faded grandeur of Turnham Hall, a former fortified manor house.

My luck held out and sunshine beamed down on the grassy banks of the River Derwent at Barmby. Perfect for a picnic. Indeed, a perfect summer’s afternoon.

Replete Tim would continue through Asselby, resisting temptation for a pint at the Black Swan and a return to Howden at about 4.30 pm having covered 50 miles.