I'm taking on an epic cycling challenge: Le Loop.

Le Loop follows the official route of the Tour de France, one week ahead of the professionals and finishes 21 stages later in Paris, some 3,400kms later on Sunday 16th July.
After the huge disappointment of having to leave the Tour last year after 3 stages , I am back to finish the job! This will be my 4th year of training for this and fingers crossed I get to ride the whole thing.
On Friday 23rd June 2023 around 100 riders will gather in Bilbao for the 'Grand Depart'.
All monies raised go towards 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!
Thank you to my Sponsors

£675
Anonymous

£315
Allen Browning
Paul great to meet you at TOW and all the best for you next epic challenge.

£275
Rutland Cycles

£215
Euros
For next time

£211.80
Euros Williams
Llongyfarchiadau!!!

£200
Pauline Wills
What an achievement, in so many ways. Loved reading your messages as they were so open and honest. Congratulations

£200
Neil “wingman” Shiach
Let’s do this wingman. I’ve got great wheels just need your company. Here’s to a full Loop for you this year. Paris awaits 🚴🏻

£160
Premier Finanical Group
Good Luck!

£130
Patrick
Good luck Paul but you don’t need it as you will smash it and spread the good word of the crazy 53/11 club

£118.80
Matt Clarke
Good luck - thanks for the bike rack!

£100
Anonymous

£100
Nick Hatton
Madman!

£100
Nick Asker

£100
Iceni Velo
Bonne Chance from everyone at Iceni Velo

£95
Lance And Lizzie
You only live once, go for it!!!

£89.64
53-11 Agm
Thanks to 53-11 cycling club members, donations in collection tin at AGM

£75
Simon Stevens
Good Luck with the Challenge Paul!!!

£64.80
Stanway Evening Townswomens Guild
Thank you for the enjoyable and entertaining talk. Good luck on your journey. Many will follow your progress on the blog.

£54
Tom Pitcher Cooke
Best of luck next year. We'll be following you all the way.

£54
Timothy Giles

£54
Diana Duhig

£54
Ben & Robyn
Enjoying your blog, love your work.

£54
Darren Cox
4th attempt (not your fault)....finally! Awe inspiring riding, and great blog each day - so much drive and positivity, despite all the uphill struggles you've faced. Fantastic achievement, well done mate!

£54
Jayne Andrew

£50
Marshall Crowe
So disappointing that it didn't work out due to Covid for the 3rd year running. Especially after all your dedication, training , investment of time, effort and funds. In the shape you're in you would have done it. I'm certain of that. Great to see that the charity has benefited so much.

£50
Sharon Gibbons
Thank you Sharon for your generosity and for keeping this body going, and not laughing too much at my pathetic stretches. Can’t rate you highly enough. Appointment - Osteopathic and Sports Injury Clinics Norfolk Ltd

£50
Craig Sandell
Good Luck Paul

£50
Euros Williams
Good luck!

£50
Giles Margarson

£50
James Walton
Well done Paul - super achievement & life long memories. Loved following your updates and look forward to hearing more. Superb effort!

£50
Steve And Barbara Presley
It’s a great cause, enjoy the ride and good on you for doing it!

£50
Rachael Cole
You're still my hero despite the positive Covid test

£50
Mum And Dad
Such a shame but You will do it next time, stay safe.

£43.20
Ollie Thurston

£40
Sheila Wigg
Not sure whether you are mad or a hero 😀

£38
Donation Tins

£37.80
Luke Bromfield

£35
Luke Bromfield

£34
James South
Good luck Paul, you crazy man!

£32.40
Ken Curtis
Good Luck for your ride and your golf! Love Ken

£30
Shon Meale
No cheating this time just a spa holiday. Robbie power!!

£30
Paul And Sara Ward
Good Luck Paul, smash it! Wardy and Sara

£27
Mike Burr

£27
Jason Koczur
Well done Paul. Thanks for the inspiration!

£27
Maria Andrew
To celebrate you reaching Paris!

£27
Alex Bellars
What an epic challenge! Chapeau, Paul... ;-)

£27
Judith Beardsworth
Fantastic achievement - inspiring!

£27
Darren And Emma

£27
Stephen Gidney
Better luck next time Paul

£27
Mark Adamson
Bonne chance, mon ami!

£25.78
Cmat Trainees
CMAT trainees collection tin.

£25
Jo Seller
So jel. Great fundraiser and bucket list experience. Watch those joints x

£25
Mark Ballman
Very best wishes for this tough challenge!

£25
Sally & Steve
Enjoy It, Have Fun and Good Luck xxx

£25
Sally Wilkinson

£25
Elaine G
So pleased you got to do this and amazed at your adventure!!!!

£25
Nicky Frost

£25
J K
Good luck! You’ll smash it!

£25
Helen Copperthwaite
You mad man!! Best wishes and hopes that all goes well. Good Luck!

£25
Bryn Williams

£25
Neil Shiach
Great causes need a great rider! This is an epic adventure I hope to hear about for years to come. Don’t worry I’ll not be there following you to crash into you!

£25
Jess Croll-knight
Amazing… good luck and enjoy

£25
Jan
Always knew you were Loopy! Good luck Paul, it’s a massive challenge and I’m full of admiration you’re going for it. Good luck.

£24.84
Stephen Gidney
This should get you to the £5k line, Paul. A phenomenal achievement !

£21.60
Roger 53-11
Enjoy and take it easy on the downhills 😉

£21.60
Karen And Guy
Good luck Paul. Gas Hill will be a cinch when this is over!

£21.60
Rachel Welch
Good luck, Teach!

£21.60
Gary Brown
Good luck keep safe 👏👏👏👏

£21.60
Sharon Gibbons
Thanks for the donation Sharon, being my accountability buddy and using your skills to make sure I get to the start line in the best condition I can be. Very much appreciated Paul

£21.60
James Walsgrove
Hopefully all the training pays off! Good luck 👍🏻

£21.60
Anonymous
Chapeau, Paul

£21.60
Derek And Roma
Safe journey, take care

£21.60
Sue Hooper

£21.60
Alison Borthwick
What an amazing achievement 😁

£21.60
David And Lindsay Barber
Just like norfolk with bigger hills you will nail it

£20
Andrew Graham Mills

£20
Daniel Ward
Many tough Tuesday sessions in the bank and many more to come Paul! :D

£20
Andy Scigliano
Bonne chance, mon ami! Plutôt toi, que moi. 🙂

£20
Helen And Andy Beeson
We will be following the blog 😀

£20
Elaine Susanne
I always knew you mad!!

£20
Micky Harcourt-heath
Brilliant adventure and thanks so much for sharing

£20
Martin From Yorkshire
Enjoy, stay safe and don’t do anything stupid !

£20
Louise Pearson
Amazing achievement Paul , the perseverance paid off big time

£20
Emily
Good to meet you Paul. An awe inspiring challenge - good luck and enjoy!

£20
Sharon Cook
An amazing challenge, have a great trip!

£20
Rad
Wear a mask!

£16.20
Maria Andrew
Best wishes and good luck for your trip this time around!

£16.20
Helen And Ian Cook
Good luck xx

£15
Rob Fennelly
Good luck!

£15
Angela Swiffen
I have everything crossed for you that this time it happens! Be careful, be safe, eat lots of cake and share the photos. The very best of luck to you. I have every faith in you and look forward to the blogs. Take care. xx

£15
Chris Wheaton
Good luck, I’m sure all the training will pay off.

£15
Katie Guastapaglia
Bonne chance! Love Club Dogwood 🚴

£10.80
David 53-11
Cake money from 53-11 Sunday Social 😀

£10.80
Rob Charlton
Good luck and just think of the beer and cakes!

£10.80
Stacy K
I think you crazy!! Good luck, I know you will smash it.

£10.80
Gary
Enjoy and go well.

£10.80
Neil
Hoping it all goes well!!

£10.80
Anonymous
Good ride out today, have fun :)

£10.80
Millie Pont
Good luck!

£10.80
Ollie Sayer
Good luck Paul!

£10.80
Ruthie
Good luck Paul- after three years of training, you’ve got this! Thank you for being a fab support to me. See you in Bilbao tomorrow ( you probably won’t see me for the following 6 days) 🤣

£10.80
Cathy Carr
Good luck Paul

£10.80
Laurie Peck
The very best of luck Andrew! Enjoy it!

£10.80
Deborah Peach
Good Luck!

£10.80
Ashley Birks
Good luck Paul,follow you on your blog and catch when back

£10.80
Emily Wilson
Good luck Paul and enjoy it!

£10.80
Sheila Greenacre
So sorry you have had to pull out- it’s a great cause

£10.80
Sheila Greenacre
Go for it Paul 👏

£10.80
Robert Barber

£10.80
Paul Carrington

£10
Rad
Utter madness! Although I hear the uphills are deceptively simple ;)

£10
Will Hardy

£10
Danielle
Thanks for your support and guidance during my SCITT training. Now it's my turn to support you in this exciting and challenging adventure! Good luck Paul!

£10
Max Stevens
What an amazing challenge!!

£10
David Stevens
Good luck Paul! Thank you (and Jayne) for all the help and support on the SCITT training this year!

£10
Dave Bloom
You got this Paul! Very best of luck mate.

£10
Jo Newton
Go Paul! You are mad but determined!! I will enjoy following your route from my garden chair!

£5.40
Howard Scoones

£5.40
Jasmine Balaam
Good Luck Paul! Such a good cause :) Thank you for helping me with Maths in my teacher training year! Jas Balaam

£5
Kelly
Best of luck. Fantastic cause.

£5
James Burrell
Good luck!

£5
Adam Avery
Good luck Paul.

£5
Bethany Ransome
Thankyou for all of your help and support Paul. Best of luck

£5
Hannah Lockwood
Good luck! :)

£3
Jessica Bugg
Good luck Paul :)

£1