Le Loop 2023 - The Pain in Spain!
“An amateur should think long and hard about attempting a stage of the Tour de France. 2 would probably necessitate a visit to the doctor, 3 may require a psychiatrist.” Bernard Hinault (5 time Tour winner, aka ‘The Badger’).
This summer, however, I will be ignoring Bernard’s sage advice, and riding the first 3 stages of the Tour, to raise money for the William Wates Memorial Trust. Every year, this incredible charity recruits a bunch of foolhardy intrepid cyclists to take part in ‘Le Loop,’ which follows the same route as the professional riders (which is where the similarities between us and the professionals end).
The race this year begins on the beautiful coast of Northern Spain. But there’ll be no time to Basque in the sunshine (see what I did there?), because we will be setting off from Bilbao, then cycling along the coast to San Sebastian, before crossing the French border into Bayonne.
It’s going to be long and hilly – 120 miles a day for 3 consecutive days. We will burn almost 30,000 calories in total – the equivalent of 130 pints of beer or 50 bottles of champagne. The distance each day is the same as a full circuit of the M25.
The mission of the William Wates Memorial Trust is to help the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence, and fulfil their potential. It was set up in memory of William Wates, who was tragically killed in 1996. I will be riding alongside his brother, my great friend Rick Wates, who has worked tirelessly with the Trust since it was founded.
‘Le Loop’ is their main annual fund-raising event, and had to be cancelled because of COVID in 2020 and 2021. Therefore it would be great to help make this fund-raising year an extra special one.
The last time I rode in this event was 2014. I was due to take part in 2020 and 21, but the pandemic put paid to that. So three years have passed, and I’ve now reached the ripe old age of Cincuenta y algo – no longer a pollo primavera (enough dodgy Spanish!) I will continue my training for “The Pain in Spain.” Any donations will be very gratefully received.
Muchas Gracias!
Thank you to my Sponsors
£2.5k
David Barnett
£162
Your Famalam (is A Mad Ting)
Oh so proud, a teeny bit worried and hope the gym and training pays off!! 💪 ❤️❤️❤️
£150
Fcm-i
Awesome ! None of us will ever whinge in the gym again ! Best of luck Rory.
£108
Wemyss
Well done Rory ⭐️
£108
The Swerlings
Come back with your shield or on it
£108
James Sleeman
Brilliant - am actually jealous (sitting here in my armchair…)
£108
Andy & Sorrell
buena suerte - Espero que tu trasero no se ponga demasiado adolorida #googletranslate
£100
Kelley And Dan Bourgoise
Go Rory Barnett! x
£100
Mark Davies
Well done Rory
£100
Roly Fisher
Good luck Muchacho, may you Indur-rain & shine!
£54
Scott Hylton
£50 now, another £50 if you finish... Good luck, my man.
£54
Eleanor Doody
Best of luck Rory! That is quite a challenge. Back the chamois cream!
£54
Elinor Hamilton
Slap Egyptian Magic on all your sensitive little areas, and you'll be reet. Oh yes, and a bit of training might help. Either way, enjoy (if you can). xx
£54
Charles Robarts
Don't let the badger down
£54
Edward Fenn-smith
Amazing, Rory, well done! Just wanted to make sure that you actually completed the challenge before making my donation!
£54
Gemma Freeman
£54
Mr A R Merton
£54
David Dudding
Will it be sunny or are you planning on cycling Indurain?
£54
Seeeeester X
Go big lycra-wearing bro. Don’t forget to keep your pedals up when you’re going downhill and no flappy t-shirts! Love you xx
£54
Helen Balke
Good luck Ror xxx
£54
Daisy, Bear And The Boys
Rory best of luck. A wonderful challenge and a fantastic charity. All love Daisy Bear and the boys x
£54
Barnaby Lewis
Good luck Rory! I’m sure you will smash it!
£54
Oli Christie
Bon chance, fils. 🚴♂️ Vamos!!
£50
David Van Der Gaag
Vamos Rory! Brilliant effort.
£50
Rosy Day
Ciclo Segura(o) Rory! Well done you.
£50
Rob Smith
Good luck...it's a fantastic support team. Go at a comfortable pace to the first checkpoint each day. Eat lots. Pack for the next day the night before. Go to bed early. Lay off the "pot Belge".
£50
Jemima Mcdonnell
£50
Scott Hylton
Well done, dude! VERY impressive!
£50
Joan Brown
Good luck Rory! x
£50
Piers Boothman
£50
Sophy Harries
£43.20
Sophie Ajram
£32.40
Marcus Evans
Great cause, great for your body and soul -enjoy!
£30
Joe, Charlie, I,s&c
What a wonderful thing! Best of luck Rors!
£30
Duncan
Whatever the Spanish is for ‘chapeau’. For my own challenge, I shall try and drink the 130 pints of beer that you are shedding over the same three day period.
£27
Fleur Evans
Masses of luck!!
£27
Colin Mclean
Rather your knees than mine, Rory. Go you!
£27
Lucy Peasley
Good luck! From all the Peas x
£27
Sara Starling
May your backpack be filled with ice pops & your joints well oiled!
£27
Jo Lindley
Good luck Rory!
£25
Onhold Studio
Go ahead, pedal faster, climb higher, and push yourself to new limits. We know you can do it. Good luck from your friends at Onhold Studio.
£21.60
Alice
In the words of Christopher Cross xx
£20
Lorraine Hodgson
Good Luck Rory 😊
£10.80
Anonymous
Xxxx
£5.40
Piers Fisher
£1.08
Hugh Paulley
£1 to take you to 5K Also doing a £10 for effort!!
