ORGANISERS of the new-look York Cycle Rally have confirmed that cyclists will converge en masse on the Knavesmire next month as it is reborn as part of the Tour de France legacy.

For nearly 70 years, Britain’s cycling community met on York every June for a weekend of all matters relating to pedal power including a mass ride to the Minster for the cyclists’ service.

But two wet summers spelt the end for the rally which has not been held since 2013.

Now a team of volunteers, starting with no funds at all, have spent more than a year planning for a new-style York Cycle Rally which will be held on June 20 and 21.

Organiser Paul Reid said: “It was losing direction. It was becoming more and more a show and it wasn’t a participation event but something you came and watched.

“Hopefully we are going back to more participation and more for actual cyclists. We are trying to get back to our grass roots.”

Spurred on by the rise of interest in cycling in York and Yorkshire prompted by the visit of the Tour de France last year and the Tour de Yorkshire this year, they have seen the project grown from paperwork and no money to full financial backing and a steady stream of bookings from cycling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

The reborn cycle rally will include grass track races, trade stands and several group rides of different lengths and ability, including one planned for the 30 per cent climb of Rosedale Chimney Bank on the North York Moors which the Tour de Yorkshire organisers inspected and decided against sending the professional racers up.

At least one ride will be under ten miles.

But the mass ride to the Minster is not on the agenda.

The volunteers, all cyclists, have had to raise £18,000 and say that they have 200 backers who have guaranteed the running costs including hiring the Knavesmire.

Many people have already booked their pitch on the mass campsite which accompanies the rally.

Mr Reid said cyclists will be coming from all over the UK to take part, as well as overseas and include people of all ages including family groups.

The volunteer organising group also hope the rally will again become an annual fixture. The York rally started in 1945 as The Grand All-Yorkshire Cyclists Rally and became a major part of Britain’s cycling culture.