TWO Huddersfield cyclists are getting ready to take on tough challenges for charity.

Despite suffering from the debilitating disease Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Almondbury resident Will Boyes is lining up a tough ride

And Huddersfield University student James Linsley will be completing a gruelling 300-mile cycle to raise money for a national charity.

Will, 38, has completed a number of tough cycling events over the past decade, including finishing the punishing 300km Vatternrundan sportive in Sweden three times.

Will has now set his sights on the 1,000 mile Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge, riding 100 miles a day back-to-back.

He will begin the ride on March 28 with three fellow cyclists from Manchester.

He said: “I thought it was time to go for a really big one.

“I’ve decided to do it now as I’m just getting back to the level of fitness I was at when I was a lot younger.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get this chance again.

“I’m confident I’ve got the legs for this, it’s just everything else that worries me.”

After several years riding with the Huddersfield Star Wheelers, Will has recently begun competing again, this time with Team Cystic Fibrosis.

The new cycling team was set up by Barnsley cyclist Martin Dainty, whose daughter Molly also suffers from the condition.

The aim of the team is to help raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis and to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Will, who recently competed at an event alongside double Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy, hopes to raise £2,000 for the CF Trust.

Cystic Fibrosis is the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited disease, affecting more than 8,000 people in the UK.

It affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, making it hard to breathe and digest food.

Will added: “As someone who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, it’s hard to say how my body will react to a challenge this tough.

“I’ve never put myself in the position before where I won’t have the chance to take a day off and recover.

“My lungs and digestive system will be put under stress every day and cold and wet weather could impact on my immune system and leave me susceptible to infections.

“Just eating enough calories will be tough enough (people with CF need a higher calorie diet) – it’s likely I’ll need up to 6,000 calories per day.

“The fact that I can even consider taking on a challenge like this is testament to the great work of the CF Trust.

“I count myself as being extremely lucky – I’m well enough to take part in events like this and raise money to help those people that have to struggle every day with CF.”

Meanwhile James, 19, will attempt to complete the cycle from London to Paris within four days in July to raise money for Sense, a charity that campaigns and supports people who are deaf-blind.

A number of cyclists will accompany James on the bike ride as part of a Global Adventures ride.

James, who studies podiatry, got involved in the event because the charity’s work inspired him.

He said: “Last summer I volunteered for Sense and we went to Butlins with a group of deaf-blind children and this provided me with the inspiration to raise money for them.

“I do like cycling but I have only ever done it casually.”

The cycling route involves four days of intense riding with the route starting in London and ending in Paris.

The route’s first day is an 80-mile ride from London to Dover, followed by 78 miles through the French countryside on the second day.

On the third day James will cycle for 73 miles, passing the World War memorials in France, followed by a final day’s ride of 66 miles to Paris.

The event also coincides with the Tour De France with riders hopeful of seeing some of the stages while in France.

James said the training has been tough but it will soon be getting tougher as the ride comes closer.

“As the event moves closer I will up my training and hope to go on some longer rides of around 70 miles.”

He will also be holding a number of other events including a street collection in Huddersfield town centre on Monday, March 18.

The aim of the events is to raise £1,650 for the Sense charity, with £206 raised so far.