AN award winning Ilkley chef is to cycle with the stars of the Tour de Yorkshire in aid of a national leukaemia charity and is looking for others to join him on the once in a life-time experience.

Simon Gueller, from the town's renowned Box Tree restaurant, will join former England international footballer and leukaemia survivor, Geoff Thomas, on his Le Tour – One Day Ahead challenge from July 3 to 25, riding the exact route of the Tour De France, one day in advance of the professionals.

As part of his training for the challenge he has enlisted some of the UK and Yorkshire’s greatest cyclists, past and present, to guide one of three exclusive 70 mile rides across a challenging Dales route on May 20 and 27 and June 3.

Those taking part in the event include: Russell Downing (Cult Energy Pro), Tom Barras (NFTO), David Stone MBE (Paralympic Gold & Bronze 2012), Dean Downing, Sid Barrass, and Malcolm Elliot.

The plan for the three rides is to set off from The Box Tree at 10.15am for the 70 mile ride with an anticipated 3.30pm finish. The ride will be followed by an evening to include well-earned refreshments at The Flying Duck in Ilkley and at 6.30pm a celebration dinner with a Michelin star menu the Box Tree.

The evening will also include an awards ceremony from the day's event and a chance to spend time with the pro riders and share their thoughts and experiences.

Russell Downing, said: “It’s great to be supporting Simon as he challenges the toughest bike race route in the world.”

Tom Barras, added: “I have known Simon for long enough to know that whatever he puts his mind to, he will succeed. Riding the route of the Tour de France would break most cyclists, but I’m sure that Simon has the fitness, drive, attitude and determination to complete this mission. It won’t be easy but I’m positive we’ll see him in Paris at the end of a very gruelling three weeks.”

If you want to take part in any of the Dales rides, The Box Tree is looking for a donation of £500 per rider which will go directly to the charity Cure Leukaemia.

If you are interested contact Rena Gueller on 07734 980290 or alternatively email rena@theboxtree.co.uk

Simon, 50, has only taken up cycling seriously over the past five years, since recovering from a suspected spinal tumor where he was warned by specialist neurosurgeons that he may never walk, or work in a career that he loved, again.

However, after extensive surgery and lengthy rehabilitation, he finally made it back into the kitchen - and onto his bike. Simon’s competitive instinct saw him quickly discover a talent for cycling, and he now competes in races across the UK and Europe.

Simon said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining the team to ride the Tour. I read Geoff’s book soon after I began cycling, and remember feeling both inspired but also envious that he had the opportunity to ride in the most famous cycling race in the world. It’s surreal that I will be joining him to do just that this year.

“I’m training really hard for the challenge, but thinking about the great work delivered by Cure Leukaemia, is great motivation. It’s incredible to think that the fundraising money we achieve might actually lead to a cure for the disease. I have devoted a large amount of my time to cycling over the last few years, so it is great that it is now going to such a worthwhile cause.”

To find out more about Simon's fundraising visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/simongueller