This weekend, representatives of Cycle Derby will cycle all the way to York on an eight-seater bike weighing a quarter of a tonne.

The epic bike ride is a celebration of the increasingly strong links between the 18 locations across the UK that have been given Cycling Town or City status by the government.  It will also provide a fitting finale to a busy week-long programme of activities taking place in York to mark Bike Week 2009.

Mark Smith, training and promotions co-ordinator for Cycle Derby, said: “We will be breaking the journey up and the main bulk of the ride will take place on Saturday (20 June). We hope to stop a few miles short of York on the Saturday evening and will complete the ride on the Sunday morning, ending our journey at York’s annual Cycle Show on the Knavesmire.”

Graham Titchener, programme manager for Cycling city York, said: “I think this is a really novel way of raising awareness of cycling in general and also highlighting Bike Week 2009, which has been marked by a really successful programme of activities here in York. It’s also a great example of the way that the UK’s cycling towns and cities are working closely together to share information and ideas.”

The Cycle Show is organised by CTC, the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation, and will take place at the Knavesmire this weekend (June 20 and 21). Admission is free and the gates open at 10am each day. More details can be found by visiting www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk