With what appeared to be a shortage of numbers could have potentially hampered today’s Sky Ride in York. Over 1,000 people were projected to participate in the event, however, the number of actual starters only totalled around 100, with numbers increasing throughout the day to several thousand according to information from Sky.
The event, which saw a number of roads in York City centre closed, was part of Sky’s national Sky Ride scheme.
This follows the National British Circuit Race Championships earlier this summer, which along with the Sky Ride was an effort to encourage more people to get involved in cycling in preparation for next year’s Tour de France Grand Depart.
Despite the generally good atmosphere down at Clifford’s Tower, there definitely seemed to a be a shortage of people at the start line at 10.30am. Another miniature disaster included Team Sky’s Ben Swift being unable to join the ride due to a continuing shoulder injury.
However, there was certainly a reasonable increase in the number people appearing to join the ride as the event continued and Ben Swift (below) being unable to ride meant that at least he could have a chat with participants and sign autographs instead in the activities area.
Photos: Jack Western
The Sky Ride is linked to York’s Cycle Festival, now in its fourth year, being held this weekend in Rowntree Park where there will be many activities available including a stunt show.
What a lot of rot! There were hundreds of people there. I rode the circuit from 11am to almost 4pm and was accompanied by riders all the way round the route. Rowntree Park alone was full of cyclists. Lazy and inaccurate journalism.
Well said Tim, maybe the first ride was only 100 but there were definitely hundred if not thousand there on the day, I was stopped numerous times by people asking where they could join in!!!! Those that were involved were not disappointed AT ALL!!!
The first one York has seen and hopefully not the last.
Agreed with above. In fact many people I spoke to said they were actually surprised at how busy it was. Florescent jackets everywhere.
That’s the single best photograph you could find of the event? Really? Miserable…
Several of my friends took part in the event yesterday and estimate that several thousand people took part! There may have only been a hundred people starting at the time that Mr Western was there but as this was a staggered event and not a race, people could start at a time to suit them. I noticed lots of families and groups of cyclists heading in and out of town and my friends deemed the day to be a very successful event.
5500 riders took part in the event during the day, making it a huge success.
Riders could join anywhere on the route at any point in the day, so the favt that there were only 150 or so people at the official start line is neither here nor there.
As a SkyRide Local Leader, who spoke to many cyclists during the day both on the route and at the activity areas, I can tell you that people are already looking forward to next years event and many of the participants, will also take part in the Skyride Local events listed on http://www.goskyride.com/york in the coming months