A TEAM of employees is in training for next month’s Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge in aid of local charity Ryedale Special Families.

The five members of staff, at Inntravel based near Castle Howard, will be cycling 144 miles over the weekend of July 13 and 14.

Starting and finishing at Norton College, the event utilises the Sustrans Cycle Network Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route, along the bi-ways and country lanes of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Leaving on Saturday morning, the cyclists head out through Sledmere, Weaverthorpe and Foxholes, to Bridlington then Driffield, before an overnight stop at Hutton Cranswick, complete with barbecue and live music. The next morning they face another 72 miles, heading for Beverley, then Market Weighton and Pocklington, before returning to Norton College via Millington Woods and Thixendale.

Inntravel’s general manager, Karl Watson said: “‘Inntravel had a team of riders complete the route for Ryedale Special Families a couple of years ago, and we’ve been very pleased to be one of the sponsors for this year’s event. Broken arms, bad backs and dodgy hips have interrupted training for our team this year – but we’re determined to be ready for July 13.”

Rob Davies, funding co-ordinator of Ryedale Special Families said: “This is now our third year running the Cycle Challenge and we’re delighted to have Inntravel on board.

“It has already become one of our major fundraising events, raising over £20,000 todate, but equally important is that it’s an event enjoyed by everyone. I’m absolutely delighted to say that we’re now almost at our maximum of 150 entries with only seven spaces remaining, so anyone wanting to join us will have to ‘get on their bike’ and get their entry in.”

The events costs £30 to enter (under 16s free), plus a commitment to raise a minimum £50 in sponsorship, or simply pay it yourself, which includes luggage transfer each way and full meals on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The halfway barbecue will include live music from the Nick Rook Band.

All proceeds go directly to Ryedale Special Families to help fund their continuing care and support provided to more than 450 families who have children with disabilities and/or special needs, throughout Ryedale.

Full details are available at www.yorkshirewoldscyclechallenge.org.uk