This June we have an eight-strong team taking part in the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride (GYBR) 2015. The gruelling 70-mile challenge will see the team cycle from Wetherby in West Yorkshire to Filey on the North Yorkshire coast.

This year’s event is extra special for Caravan Guard and Leisuredays founder, Peter Wilby, as he prepares to embark on his 21st ride!

To raise to the occassion, Peter (left) and the team have set themselves a fundraising raising target of £10,000! The money raised will go to a number of charities including Yorkshire Cancer Research and MENCAP.

We caught up with some of the team to see how they’re gearing up for the challenge:

What made you want to enter the GYBR 2015? 

Kim: I have done it for the last three years and absolutely loved it!
Adam: It’s great to be able to do something I really enjoy and raise money for charity at the same time.
Gareth: This will be the fourth time I have entered the GYBR and have always found it to be challenging yet very enjoyable.
Ben: A few things really; I’ve done it before and there’s some lovely scenery on the ride, the camaraderie of riding with the team, and of course the wonderful charities we get to help!
Peter: After doing the ride for so many years I can’t not enter! It’s a great day hosted by a fantastic organisation with superb scenery and a great festival atmosphere.

Have you entered before and if so how did you find the challenge? 

Kim: This will be my 4th year, it’s a challenging ride, but the atmosphere and set up is brilliant.
Adam: I’ve ridden in the GYBR every year since 2012. Although the challenge doesn’t seem to get any easier, knowing that the money raised goes to some great causes makes it all worthwhile in the end.
Gareth: Tougher than initially thought, but extremely rewarding!
Ben: I’ve done this ride for the last two years, but my first ride was my best time. I want to set myself a new personal best this time around!

Husband and wife, Kim and Gareth are all set for this year’s challenge!

Have you started training for this year’s event? 

Kim: I like to keep fit, I do a lot of spinning classes but I do plan on getting out on my actual bike a few times before the ride this year, unlike previous years!
Adam: Yes. I’ve been on a few shorter training rides on it, but I’ve been working away a lot so I’ve had to make do riding the exercise bikes in hotel gyms.
Ben: I’ve been out on a couple of shorter rides this month, 10 miles or so.

Do you have a personal target in mind? 

Kim: To beat the husband!
Ben: I want to complete the ride in less than six hours. My best time is just over seven hours (I know, I won’t trouble the Tour de France!) but for me I think it’s a realistic aim.

Adam has already begun training for the 70-mile ride 

What are you most anxious about? 

Kim: The long steep hills that are hiding on route… and the weather!
Adam: Getting to the start line. I’m always worried that I’m going to turn up at Wetherby to find out I’ve forgotten something vital…like my bike!
Gareth: Not beating my other half.
Ben: There are two big hills on the route, which I’m not particularly excited about tackling!
Peter: Definitely the weather!

What are you most excited about? 

Kim: The lunch stop, it’s the best bit!
Ben: Hard to say – either crossing the finishing line or getting straight into bed when I get home!
Peter: The beer at the finish!

How do you plan on preparing for challenge? 

Kim: Get out on my bike a few times. The week before, eat lots of energy food and try to rest the few days before the ride.
Adam: I ride with a local group so they will be seeing a lot more of me over the coming weeks. I’m really lucky where I live because it’s right on the Tour de France route through Calderdale.
Gareth: I bike to work regularly, and keep fit in a various ways.
Ben: I’m planning on building my riding up to 20 miles three or four times a week, then progressively build up the distances as the ride approaches.
Peter: Early night, porridge for breakfast and some well padded shorts.

Ben (left) is hoping to beat his personal best on his third Great Yorkshire Bike Ride.

Are any of the event’s chosen charities significant to you? 

Kim: All of them mean something to someone.
Adam: My mother in law has a heart condition and has suffered heart attacks in the past. Thankfully through research into heart conditions she is still here today. My nephew suffered from childhood Epilepsy, through understanding of his condition he was able to lead a normal life with minimal disruption to his schooling.
Ben: Personally no, but I know people who have been in the unfortunate position of needing the help of some of these charities, so I’m well aware of the great work they do.

Why should people get behind ‘Team CG’?

Kim: We aren’t a big team but we love the challenge!
Adam: Why not? The team’s made up of some people that want to make a difference.
Ben: We’re a bit of a mixed bunch, ability wise, so we’ll no doubt have our own personal challenges. But by far the biggest reason to back the team is all of the amazing charities involved.
Peter: They would be helping us raise £10,000 for some much needed causes!

If you would like to get behind Peter and the team, you can donate securely online via the Virgin Money Giving page below.

Thank you!