Ailsa

Le Loop - supporting the William Wates Memorial Trust

Over 20 yrs since the first Le Loop (a cycling event following all 21 stages of the Tour de France one week ahead of the real Tour), I am heading back to the Alps
ride four of them. 

The memory and horror of an unfit 12 year old struggling up the Col de Tourmalet has finally faded
enough for me to return.

The William Wates Memorial Trust means so much to my family. I’m so proud of my dad, his brothers + my grandparents for turning such a heartbreaking event into helping young people fulfil their potential. This is a real passion of mine, especially to help people from underrepresented backgrounds believe in themselves + dream about a bright future - something I’ve been incredibly fortunate to take for granted growing up with a lot of support - that a lot of people do not have. 

This year is one of the most poignant years for my family, in relation to some good from loss. I am so grateful to be able to be cycling in the mountains with my family, with the privilege of choosing to be in pain and the aim of creating impact.

The cycling will be Alpe d’Huez twice, and 4 long mountain stages. 

My cycling prep has consisted of flat tyres, hours of walking in cleats?!, getting lost + realising that three hours inevitably turns into six and that you ALWAYS need lights because it will take longer than you thought and it will get dark. 

Any small donation would mean so much + I’ll share a lot of examples of where every pound goes + the good it is doing for those who need it most.