York Solar System Cycle Path

  The route mostly follows smooth surfaces - in the form of the old railway track and is accessible by bike, on the national cycle network route 65, so for ease, we shall meet at the train station - and work our way to the start of the actual route.   

A little info on this classic route ...

For a mere £1 Sustrans (the charity that is behind the national cycle network) bought the old railway track back in 1985 and set about their first major project - creating a cycle path inspired by science.

and here comes the science bit .....

The scale of the actual solar system model is 575,872,239 to 1. So every 100 metres along the track corresponds to more than 57 million kilometres in space. The speed of light is about 1.16 mph, so it is easy to walk at 3 times the speed of light and to cycle at 10 times the speed of light. Every journey down the cycle track ends before it begins and every time you travel on the track you will become a little younger. (can’t be bad can it!?)

So not just a scientific experiment, but a taste of history too! Shame the old Terry's Chocolate Factory that is on route closed in 2005! ... never the less why not join us for this delightful 15 mile treat ... Starting at the Sun in York, and working our way down to Pluto (in Escwick) and back again. Aaaah, I always said the bike could take you far - i just didn’t realise you could pass the moon and earth doing so! :)