Tour de France 2025 - '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
On Friday 25th June 2025 around 100 riders will gather in Lille for the 'Grand Depart'. Some cycle a few days, some ride further. More will join us over the following 3 weeks of the tour.
My goal is to complete the full 21 stages of the Tour de France route. Every participant commits to raising 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 fulfill 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.
Fun facts to help you decide on how generous you want to be :-)
* Start: June 28th Lille
* Finish: July 20th Paris
* 21 Stages - 3320KMs / 2062 miles
* 51,550m climbing
Imagine running a marathon every day for three weeks (and two marathons on some of the big days) and you get a sense of the challenge!
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.
My employer, Lucera (www.lucera.com ), have given me tremendously generous support to take on this unique challenge.
I will proudly wear the Lucera logo on my kit for the event to celebrate their support and the great things this will do for the William Wates Memorial Trust.
I am enormously grateful for their support and use this as additional motivation to do them and The Foundation proud.
Merci!
My Updates
March update
Friday 7th Mar
January 31st - Weight 84.5KG / Body Fat 14.3%
February 28th - Weight 83.3KG / Body Fat 7.8%*
*not convinced that's correct but that's what the scales say!
Le Loop Training - Q4 2024
Sunday 19th Jan A quick recap of Q4 2024 training...Thank you to my Sponsors
£1.03k
Julie Yim
£530.50
Geoff
Good luck Al - 1p per metre as promised!
£518
Peter Bartko
£315
Richard Smithyes
Phenomenal stuff Al! Gonna be one to remember for sure. Best of British luck!
£272.75
Richard Grover
Here is 0.5p / vertical metre with The same again if you finish the whole thing!
£215
Jayne Kearney
Amazing Al you’re incredible good luck!
£159
Christian Matthews
Very best of luck in what I am sure is a very hard challenge but equally should be very rewarding, I am sure all your hard work will pay off.
£150
Chris Knight
Great update inspiring Al. Here is a top up donation.
£118.80
Elizabeth Crane
£108
Lisa Hall
Good luck Al xx
£108
Rhys Bryan
£108
Jo Barber
Huge respect! X
£108
Chris Knight
Inspiring Al. Go well and ride safe.
£108
Alison Trace
Good Luck Al, huge respect. Al
£108
Neil And Ali
£108
Adrian And Rachel
Montez bien la Grue. Chapeau!
£106
Wayne Roworth
Just wow! Good luck Al.
£106
Kris Gower
Good stuff, Al. Great cause and best of luck !
£106
Brian Bunyan
Tour de France? 😲Wow! Tour de force!! 💪 All the best Al.
£106
Neill Furmston
Feel like I’ve been on a small part of your training journey with you, and that’s exhausting enough, so kudos to you Al!
£103.60
Tim Wolton
amazing , best of luck!!
£101
Sanjiv Panchani
Sounds absolutely amazing! Hope you finish before the pro’s 😁
£100
Darko Barac
What a beast! I know you'll smash it but this really is the next level... best of luck Al
£100
John Estrada
make sure you charge the batteries every mng!
£100
Glyn Harrington
Best of British to you Al!!
£100
Richard Thomas
I’ll be with you in spirit from the sofa. Don’t fall off. Best of luck
£100
Harry Barman
Best of luck Al. An amazing adventure for a good cause.
£100
Phil And Tanja
You are excused from this year’s golf trip. Back on the team next year however… Best of luck with the ride - amazing feat
£81
Paul Clarke
What a challenge! Good luck and hope you enjoy it Al!
£79.50
Patrik Nilsson
Good luck Al!
£75
Remo
£54
Mark Davison
All the very best Al. I’m sure you’ll smash it. Be safe!
£54
Henrik Hansen
£54
Tony K
“I don’t ride a bike to add days to my life. I ride a bike to add life to my days”
£54
Barry C.
Safe travels!
£54
Kirstie Macmillan
Good luck Al, you’re going to be awesome 🤩 lots of love, Steven, Kirstie and Flinty ❤️❤️
£53.32
Jon Watras
AMAZING WORK AL!!!!
£53.32
Roland Schilling
Madness needs to be rewarded. Good luck
£53.32
Steve Tatum
Good luck Al
£53.32
Paul Mitcheson
Go Al!!
£53.32
Shaun Barham
Great work Al. Beers after!!
£53.32
Lydia Reid
Good luck on the climbs / cobbles! Very impressed
£52.12
Jeffrey Ward
Good luck mate, looks like a real adventure for sure!
£52.12
Tom Sagaz
Best of luck Al, amazing effort!
£50
Matt Porter
Best of luck Al!! Got to be bonkers!!
£50
Lewis Samuels
Good luck Al, wishing you the very best of luck. Stay strong mate
£50
Dan Shaw
Hugely inspiring, wishing you all the best Al.
£50
Scott Worton
Absolutely nuts, but a wonderful cause and a wonderful challenge for a man of your calibre!
£50
Jez
Good luck mate!
£50
Darryl Hooker
Good luck Al - great cause!
£50
Nick Downes
Absolutely rooting for you Al, and watching from afar with awe and admiration!! Wishing you every success my friend!
£43.20
Marilyn Roberts
Good Luck
£32.23
Howard Derham
Good luck! This is a Heroic!
£32.23
Alessandro Rabbiosi
Impressive - best of luck
£30
James Husband
£27.05
Gem & Malc
Keep going very inspiring.
£27
Lee Oliver
Brilliant - I'm not sure you will enjoy it, but what a story you'll be able to tell. Chapeau!
£27
Joe Whaley
I don’t remember anyone calling you ‘big Al’ ;) Hope you’re keeping well and all the best.
£27
Russell Thornton
£27
John Parkes
Good luck Al .
£27
Ray Wilson
Inspirational mate, great stuff.
£26.45
Dana Valtas
What a crazy challenge! Good luck and hope you enjoy it!
£25
Jeremy Pearce
Enjoy the ride Al, great work!
£25
Antony
Great work Al, best of luck with the ride.
£25
Noel S
Big Al, all the very best of luck for thsis crazy but admirable adventure - I look forward to following your progress
£20
Harry Callaghan
Good luck mate!! Absolute champion!
£5
Jasper R
Go on Al
Incredible, inspirational stuff Al and for an amazing charity. Ride well!