York to miss out on major cycling event

Sky Ride York was launched in 2013 to encourage more people to get involved in cycling ahead of the Tour de France coming to Britain the following year, and it continued for the next three years.

Many of the city’s roads were closed as the guided bike ride took in some of York’s most famous landmarks.

Families were encouraged to take part, with participants ranging from young children up to parents and even third generations.

The event was organised by British Cycling, the national lead organisation for cycle sport which was sponsored then by Sky.

But following a change in sponsorship to HSBC, the Sky Ride has ended nationally and been replaced by the HSBC Big City Ride, with the nearest to York taking place in Leeds on September10.

A spokesman for City of York Council said there were currently no plans for the re-introduction of a mass participation ride in York but the authority continued to promote cycling in the city, with the annual Festival of Cycling taking place yesterday in Rowntree Park.

“We also work with a number of fantastic third party organisations who promote cycling in the city including British Cycling, York Bike Belles, Get Cycling and Sustrans,” he said.

“The council’s own cycle training team also continues to help people of all ages and abilities to get out on their bikes.”

British Cycling was unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, the Tour de France legacy promised in 2014 is continuing to bear fruit, with members of an international cycling club based in France touring Yorkshire in the wheel tracks of the professional peloton.

Organisers say that since 2000, members of the Amicale Euro Cyclotourisme, including past champions, had criss-crossed the continent and were now set to visit Yorkshire.

The group starts from Beverley next Saturday, and will take in the Wolds, the North York Moors and the Dales before spending a day in York and then riding back to Beverley on September 15.