Hi Si, all,
On behalf of the new
York Rally Committee perhaps I could clarify the situation from our point of view.
While appreciating the historic links between the CTC and the Rally, we as a committee are not seeking any assistance with the organisation of the event from the CTC, or indeed from anyone else. We are completely independent of the CTC: some individuals on the committee are CTC members, but many are not - and we value our independence. Nor are we allied with British Cycling or anyone else. Being completely independent (and focused on just one thing - running the Rally - with no other agenda) allows us to invite absolutely everyone active in cycling to come to the Rally, to make it the 'rallying point' that the 1945 founders intended.
What we would very much value, however, is the CTC's participation! The Rally wouldn't be the same without it.
The York Rally in mid-June comes perfectly timed to capitalise on the cycling buzz generated by the Tour de Yorkshire, recently confirmed for early May. We're working closely with City of York Council and especially their iTravel York team to pitch the event as the place where people fired up by the racing can come to try out non-intimidating, non-competitive cycling. CoYC will be using the Rally to promote workplace travel, active health for the elderly through cycling, and cycling inclusivity amongst other things, in line with their own objectives. To do this they'll be bringing a variety of activities to the event, and they'll be helping us promote it. We're delighted to host them.
We are also working with a local artist and cyclist who will be bringing a very interesting 'event within the event' to the Rally - details will follow when we're ready to 'officially' launch it. We provide the basic event infrastructure; he'll bring a great public-friendly activity area and likely many extra campers. Again we're happy to host this free of charge.
So the idea is to work with any cycling group or organisation who sees the Rally as an opportunity to reach out at a big public cycling celebration. We (the YR committee) are doing the hard work of getting the event in place. What we invite other organisations to do is to be there, run activities, and show off! That will bring more activities and more people to the Rally, which all helps spread the cost of the basic infrastructure, which is what makes the core Rally 'get-together' possible. And with lots going on it becomes a more attractive and sustainable event.
So we would love to have the 'official CTC' at the Rally, explaining what they do and taking advantage of the event both to attract new members and to connect with current ones. This might take the form of e.g.:
- Running rides - a chance for prospective new riders/members to meet local/regional groups and see how a CTC ride works
- Running touring talks/seminars - e.g. inspire people to try long distance cycle touring? Or show how easy it is even for a beginner to go on a supported cycle holiday?
- Running a legal/insurance Q&A session? A talk about what to do after a crash? Perhaps whoever does the CTC's insurance these days would be up for it...
- Running campaigning workshops/talks/courses - show why the CTC's work matters and how people can get involved!
- Running something to attract young riders - maybe a 'cycle orienteering' treasure hunt around the site or something? How to buy a decent child's bike advice? Leisure riding with children masterclass?
- Running some completely different activity which I haven't thought of - which is interesting to Rally visitors and advances the CTC's own objectives.
- Having a stand to sell CTC membership/holidays/courses/insurance etc.
We would be happy to host all or any of these free of charge (as they would add to the activities on offer at the Rally) except for the last item - if the CTC wish to have a stand they will be invited to book it at standard trade stand rates. This applies equally to any other national cycle (or related) organisation with a 'serious' budget and paid staff - e.g. Sustrans, British Cycling, etc. City of York Council will also be paying for any trade stands they put up. We think this is reasonable to help support the basic costs of staging the Rally.
I should also add the proviso that 'hosting activities free of charge' doesn't mean that we can necessarily provide a marquee. Hiring those is one of our larger costs. If an activity needs marquee space it may need to pay its share of the cost. For not that much money in the grand scheme of things the CTC could even have a marquee all to themselves, which they could brand up as they wished, and run a full programme of talks, workshops, rides etc. from! We'd love to have that at the Rally.
If any CTC Local Group/Member Group/DA wishes to put up a display, too, we will be happy to host that free of charge - you'd need to bring your own gazebo but we'll find the space!
This is the same 'no charge' offer which applies to any primarily enthusiast/non-paid-staff cycling club or organisation, be they national or local or internet-based, who could put on a display, activity or ride at the Rally. We would love to line the grasstrack arena and the main avenue approaching it with club stands, as a real celebration of grass-roots cycling and the people who make it happen.
If anyone with suitable connections reads this, please do feel free to pass it on to the appropriate decision-makers! The best person to talk to at the Rally would be our Event Co-ordinator Paul Reid on 016973 43089 or e-mail
organiser@yorkrally.org.
We hope to meet many CTC members on the Knavesmire in June!
Peter Eland
Publicity Officer
For the York Rally Committee
http://www.yorkrally.org