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/Reading (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 (one 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 (the 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 at 5%+).
We have paid for the trip ourselves 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 step that up for this. All the data for those who care is on my strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/196206
Please wish me luck and hope you can support!
Adam
My Updates
Calpe training week done
Monday 17th Feb Just back from a great training week in Calpe Spain with 8 pf us. Truly a Mecca of cycling with endless groups on the road including many professional teams.
Generally a good January
Monday 3rd Feb Jan was going really well until standing up from sitting and my right knee collapsed. Physio diagnosed as patellar sprain needing a week off the bike !! Fortunately this worked and it has felt ok since including 115km on club ride last saturday. Not pushing it too much and hoping will be ok on Spain Calpe training next week. 1380km done in 2025 Share
10 days in !
Friday 10th Jan Thanks for all the brilliant support so far. Have ridden most days of 2025 despite 🥶🥶 4 us rode 80km yesterday at -3C the whole way. There has been some Zwift too as it’s so Baltic. 500km done this year - off the mark ShareThank you to my Sponsors
£215
Adam Hale
£200
Kuntal Fisher
Good luck, Adam! So impressed that you are doing this! I am inspired!
£108
Deep Shah
£108
Julie Knight
Wishing you the very best!!
£108
Clare
Best of luck Adam, what an amazing experience
£108
James Bennet
Awesome challenge Adam very happy to support
£108
Sumir Karayi
£108
Jan Woods
Good luck Adam! All the very best
£108
Mike Reid
Hope you love every minute
£108
Ian Spence
Bon chance!
£100
Gareth Burton
Great effort. Will be tracking you!
£100
Estelle Mccartney
Good luck and have fun. What a fantastic thing to undertake and a great cause to support.
£100
Tom Whelan
Good luck with the Ride
£100
Nicholas Antoniou
£97.20
Adam Hale
Go hit the hills!
£75
Logan Naidu
£54
Thomas Hellmann
Go for it!
£54
Chris Rauch
Impressive effort for a great cause. Kudos to you
£54
Robert Newry
This would be a frightingly brutal task in your 20's let alone as you turn 60! Good luck and ready to cheer you on in all the heavy training you will need to somehow get through this challenge.
£50
Sally & Matthew
Well done Adam! Go get that Maillot Jaune 💛
£50
Nick Harber
What a great experience, don’t forget to start your Strava
£35
Dan Cobley
Quite mad.
£32.40
Kath
Go for it!
£27
Julian Thornley
Good Luck Adam - all the best!
£25
Peter Marshman
Great cause Adam, best of luck
£21.60
Lia Hale
Dad you’re insane. Go smash it xx
£20
Sian
Good luck!!!
