Charity bike ride offers to support two causes

Organisers of the Brian Robinson Challenge Ride announced this week that this year’s event would raise money for the Once Community Foundation as well as the Mayor of Kirklees’ chosen charity, the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Trust.

The ride, which will take place on Sunday April 28, sees hundreds of cyclists go on a 75-mile journey around the hills of Kirklees.

It is organised by Mirfield councillor and cycling enthusiast Martyn Bolt in honour of local legend Mr Robinson, who grew up in Dewsbury and lives in Mirfield.

Mr Robinson was the first Briton to complete the Tour de France and win a stage of the iconic race. The 83-year-old still cycles now and usually attends the Challenge Ride.

The ride itself takes in areas such as Holme Moss, Woodhead Pass, Emley Moor and Buckstones Moor, where Mr Robinson trained in his youth.

Following the announcement that the Tour de France will start in Yorkshire in 2014, this year’s riders can take on the challenge in the knowledge that some of its roads will soon be used by the world’s current top cyclists.

The Brian Robinson Challenge was first held in 2006 after the then Mayor of Kirklees asked Coun Bolt to organise a ride to support his appeal.

Coun Bolt has turned the event into an annual tradition and this year decided that money raised would also go to grassroots charitable foundation One Community.

He said: “The work this charity does benefits many local people and it fulfils a vital role in the community.”

Anyone wanting to take on the Brian Robinson Challenge Ride can register by searching for it at www.britishcycling.org.uk/events.