Asian Women Cycling

I've been busy covering lots of cycling stories in the run up to the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire.

I recently recorded at a weekly cycling session for Asian women in a park in Sheffield. 

The ladies there told me they feel comfortable cycling in the walled off area where people won't be watching them and that it's not socially acceptable for them to ride on the roads in their communities. 

listen to ‘Asian Women Cycling’ on Audioboo

Tour de France Reporter

Today I start a new job covering the Tour de France for BBC Radio Sheffield. I'll be covering every twist and turn of the greatest cycle race coming to South Yorkshire on 6th July. As a massive cycling fan it’s a huge privilege to be doing this job.

As well as explaining what the race itself is all about, there’s lots for me to look at covering including the logistical challenge for the organisers of hosting the biggest annual sporting event in the world, community groups arranging parties for the race day when the Tour goes past their homes and then what the legacy will be. There’s also the 100 day YorkshireFestival which is an extensive programme of arts and cultural events in the run up to the Grand Départ, when the Tour comes to Yorkshire.

On the day itself we'll have reporters dotted along the route, broadcasting live on what will be a momentous occasion for our area. And then when the race leaves Yorkshire I’ll have a couple of weeks off on holiday…in France watching the Tour in the Pyrenees and then the finale in Paris!

If you have any story ideas, I'd love to hear from you: mark.ansell@bbc.co.uk 

Morris Dancing

One of the great pleasures of working in regional TV news is the variety of stories you get to cover...

Morris dancing is surprisingly popular in Sheffield. And with young people too. Here's proof:

 
BBC Copyright