Le Loop - supporting the William Wates Memorial Trust
Le Loop follows the official route of the Tour de France, one week ahead of the professionals and finishes 21 stages later in Paris
On Friday 27th June 2025 around 100 riders will gather in Lille for the 'Grand Depart'. Some cycle a few days, some ride further. More, such as myself, will join over the following 3 weeks of the tour.
This year I am tackling the final 6 stages of the Tour de France route to raise money for the William Wates Memorial Trust (WWMT). I've had far less time to train than when I completed the full route and my first day on tour will include the giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux! You can read more about the stages (16-21) I am riding at https://rideleloop.org/the-route/. The fundraised money is entirely separate from the participation fee - donations do not pay for my Tour.
All monies raised go directly to the William Wates Memorial Trust whose mission is to help the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence and fulfil their potential. This is achieved by giving grants to charities that engage young people through the medium of sports, arts and education.
It's been a tough couple of years for charities and particularly for young people. This is my chance to give something back and help support young people who aren't lucky enough to enjoy the advantages in life that most of us take for granted.
Le Loop is no small undertaking. Riding even ONE stage of the Tour de France route is going to hurt! Please reward my pain by giving generously.
Merci!
My Updates
Mission accomplished
Monday 21st Jul Training had been squeezed and I did not go into this trip as rested as I'd like but I made it through. It has been tough, probably tougher than when I did the Grand Loop 2 years ago. It tested my mental resolve to keep going at times and working out the correct layering for different parts of days was a challenge I never mastered. However, the views, camaraderie and knowing my sponsorship will help make a real difference to young people helped me keep going (mostly) with a smile on my face.
Day 6 / Stage 21 = Paris
Monday 21st Jul A damp start made the day a bit of a puncture-fest from which I was not immune. With the help of a plug both tyres did seal and the sunshine came out for the tour of Paris. Unfortunately that meant so did the Montmartre tourists. Even my Cambridge-honed tourist-dodging skills couldn't get me through without a few patches of scootering along. Share
Day 5 / Stage 20 = Jura
Sunday 20th Jul It's all a mental game and the weather only added to that. A thunderstorm drenched me through and it required a lot of will power to leave the food stop on my bike. I was rewarded with a beautiful afternoon ride, with great tour decorations, and plenty of cheers from the locals. Share
Day 4 / Stage 19
Friday 18th Jul On paper easier than yesterday but given the fatigue that had induced, it was a mental game to keep moving. Some extra coca cola stops helped me power on through and resist the option to skip the final climb. The scenery also provided good motivation. Share
Day 3 / Stage 18 - Climbs galore
Friday 18th Jul A very long day and a strong temptation to take the shortcut to the hotel and miss the final climb but told myself the views would be worth it and they were. It ended up feeling like the easiest climb due to the temperature finally reducing. Fading light got me a lift from the end of the cycle path to the hotel minimising the cold descent as avoiding the bonus mini climb, which was very welcome. Share
Day 2 / Stage 17 = Vercours
Thursday 17th Jul Definitely a case of there are no easy days on the Tour de France. The temperature dropped a fraction and with it the volume of the crickets. The stage was made harder by the relentless headwind. I spent the day trying to ignore my frustratingly low speed, and focussed on enjoying the views and scent of lavender fields. Plenty of friendly wheels to follow (especially Dr Dave's) and teamwork helped while away the Kms to the finish at Valance. Share
Day 1 / Stage 16 = Ventoux
Tuesday 15th Jul High cloud kept the edge of the temperatures initially but once that burned off the temperature soared. Several fountain stops helped keep spirits up. I'd wrongly assumed the tree covered lower slopes would offer shade but alas no. Well into the climb temperatures stayed in the 30s. I let myself have one stop half way but other than that I kept plodding. The summit was only light relief as pressure points on my feet still hurt on the descent. ShareThank you to my Sponsors
£1.2k
Julia Robson
£1,000
Michael Streat
Trusting you recover from Pooh Sticks in time😊
£100
Catherine Kearns
You're such an inspiration! Best of luck x
£32.23
Tony & Alena
Congratulations Julia, Well Done!
£31.51
Mike & Patricia
Enjoy the ride!
£27.30
Cambridge Intelligence
£27.05
H
£27.05
Kaushik Kotak
£27.05
Katy May
£27.05
Jenny Grenfell-shaw
Good on you
£25
Neil Talbott
Extremely impressive again - I hope you're enjoying it despite the brutal temperatures!
£25
Anonymous
£21.84
Hisako
£20
Rahim
£20
Michael Cleary
Good luck Julia on your amazing bike ride! Loved meeting you last week and wandering across the fells together.
£10
Nargishur Hammond
£5.99
