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. I turn 60 a month before the tour in 2025 and thought cycling some of it would be an appropriate (ly crazy) way to celebrate.
Three of my regular cycling friends from Henley/Marlow (pictured me, Steve, Jed, Paul) turn 60 around then too so we decided to tackle 'Mountain week' of the tour together. For those famiiiar with riding the etape (a really hard stage of the tour) we're doing that. Plus 5 other hard stages. Back to back. Righto then.
We start in Pau (Pyrenees) and end close to Geneva (Alps) tackling 964km of cycling with 22,000m of ascent (same as 2.5x up Everest). Typing this out is terrifying. It's the climbing that really hurts, we're doing Mount Ventoux, Superbagneres, Col de la Loze and La Plagne plus many other very long hills (some go up for 20km).
We have paid for the trip and also committed to raise a minimum amount for the William Wates Memorial Trust (WWMT). 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. It's a great cause that I hope you can support.
For those that know me I am a regular/obsessed cyclist depending on your perspective. I cycle 300km a week year round but will need to step that up for this. All the data for those who care is on my strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/196206
Wish me luck!
