Our local MP and Mayor get on their bikes

Colne Valley Tory MP Jason McCartney – a friend of Ferno - is getting on his bike having been selected to undertake the Parliamentary Sports Fellowship with British Cycling.
Jason, who champions cycling in Parliament and in Yorkshire, will be educated in all areas of cycling.
He will work with many famous figures including Olympic gold medalist Chris Boardman to look at all aspects of cycling, ranging from professional racing to teaching road safety to children.
Jason will be attending the National Track Championships at Manchester Velodrome in September as one of his first ventures into the dramatic spectacle of professional sport cycling. He had to apply for the Fellowship and was interviewed by officials from British Cycling.
Jason started cycling when he joined the Pink Team in Pedal 4 Pounds 3 charity initiative organised by Huddersfield Town to raise funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Keep It Up campaign. The Pink Team’s captain was our very own Jon Ellis who stayed in touch with Jason ever since. Check out earlier stories on the blog here.
Jason says: “I’ve really got into cycling thanks to the Huddersfield Town FC initiative ‘Pedal 4 Pounds’ when I did the run to Brighton and also rode on the final day of the run to Yeovil. I also love cycling up Holme Moss and I’ve actively been involved with the campaign to get the Tour De France to our part of Yorkshire.
“It is set to be a huge boost for our area and I will be banging the drum constantly about how much the Tour can mean to us. I have already met Sir Rodney Walker, who has been appointed to head up the body charged with making sure the Tour goes ahead as planned.
“I helped secure a guarantee from the Government to make available up to £10m in funding.”
Meanwhile, out good friend Martyn Bolt, the Mayor of Kirklees is taking part in another gruelling cycle challenge – see earlier stories about Martin on the blog here.
Martyn will join 1,000 other riders from 33 countries in the London Edinburgh London next Sunday which covers 1400km and has to be completed within 116 hours.
Martyn said: “The 116 hours is inclusive of sleeping, eating and other stops and I am hoping to average around 300km or 180mph per day.
“I have done fewer miles than I usually would in preparation for this event and I am not taking it for granted that I will complete the course.”
Funds raised will go towards the One Community Foundation. To donate money or logistical support visit www.kirkleesmayorscharity.org
On July 7 Martyn took part in the Etape du Tour in Annecy in the Rhone-Alpes in a self-financed trip. More information about the London Edinburgh London challenge is available at www.londonedinburghlondon.com