ART, nature and races will combine for a weekend of fun for all ages when cyclists take over Knavesmire for the annual York Cycle Rally.

Organisers are hoping nature lovers, would-be poets and cycle-crazy children will join cycling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities at the two-day event, which starts on Saturday.

Organiser Paul Reid said: “It’s a credit to our hard-working volunteers and all of the local organisations who work with us that we’re able to put on such a great event which is completely free for visitors – keeping up a York tradition that’s been running since 1945.“All are very welcome: please do join us on the Knavesmire for a grand day out – with lots of bikes.”

The rally hosts the National Championship of the British Schools Cycling Association and other grasstrack races.

Bernie Cullen, Yorkshire Arboretum poet in resident, will lead a cycling poetry workshop and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust will showcase wildlife and outdoor-orientated activities for children.

Volunteers from York Greenways will lead family-friendly, traffic-free rides and on Sunday morning the rally will ride en masse along the York to Selby Solar System cycle path to St Matthew’s Church, Naburn for the annual cyclists’ service.

For keen cyclists, there will be longer touring rides in the countryside, a cycle jumble, trade show featuring the latest electric bikes and an auction.

The rally site will also have live music, talks, food and real ale and a campsite.