I'm taking on an epic cycling challenge: Le Loop, over 3400kms of cycling around France.
On Saturday 24th June 2023 I will be in Bilbao setting off on the first of 21 stages of the Tour de France route - Le Loop!
Le Loop follows the official route of the Tour de France, one week ahead of the professionals and finishes 21 stages later in Paris, some 3,400km later.
I will be riding the full route along with approximately 100 other riders some doing all 21 stages and some joining us for just parts of the route. For me it will be an epic challenge and it has already given me a number of sleepless nights wondering if I have what it takes to ride this sort of distance with so many challenging climbs. I've never been a fast cyclist or good at riding the mountains but to ride the Tour de France is a dream and if I don't try then I'll never know. So if you choose to sponsor me you will be giving me an extra reason for not giving up and to keep on pedalling. I'll be thinking of you all when I'm struggling up a 40Km climb, suffering and questioning why I signed up for this!
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 fulfil their potential. This is achieved by giving grants to charities that engage young people through the medium of sports, arts and education.
The WWMT has helped a charity close to home in Milton Keynes - Ride High. This charity transforms the lives of disadvantaged children and those having difficulties in their lives, giving them the opportunity to learn to ride and care for horses. They also support other charities throughout the UK.
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.
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.
Merci!
My Updates
Hardest 100 completed!!
Tuesday 4th Apr
A fall in a trainig ride
Sunday 19th Feb
My motivation poster
Wednesday 28th Dec
Thank you to my Sponsors
£315
Alex Bennett
£183.60
Owen Scott Biggs
Alex there seems to be a little shortfall in your target!! Hope this helps, don’t tell Tracy Lol
£108
Debs Bennett
My special boy
£108
Owen Biggs
All the best
£108
Robert Spells
Good luck
£100
Bernie Greene
Alex, knowing your determination I know you will get better soon and be on conquering that mission! Best of luck, Bx
£100
Wayne Cragg
It's for a great cause Alex. And remember enjoy the leisurely holiday bike ride.
£100
Phil Cullen
Well done mate!
£100
Ormond Family
A massive challenge for a very worthy cause. We’ll be rooting for you along every km and up every climb. Make sure you go steady on the descents………
£100
Keith Wilson-jabbar
Beat of luck mate - hope you smash it!!!
£100
Neil Atkinson
Good Luck
£100
Simon Gudgeon
Good Luck Alex!
£75
Andrew D
Good luck Alex! This is a proper challenge and a really good charity. I know you’re the man to do this, I just hope you can have some fun amongst the pain!!
£75
Nigel W
Best of luck with all the training and the ride mate! You will smash it. Looking forward to the Pics!
£75
Miles Thompson
Once in a lifetime Big Al!!! Remember that when your shoulders ache, when your back is killing you and when your legs are finding new places to be sore or painful. Smash it fella.
£64.80
Paul Cartwright
Hi Alex - have a great ride, hope it goes well. You'll smash it . Take care Paul
£60
Trevor Mather
This should get you up to your target Alex, hope your keeping well.
£54
Liam Brennan
Best of luck Alex
£54
Richard F
Great to meet you in Girona, Alex. Chapeau to you for taking on this ridiculously tough challenge! Look forward to following your progress.
£54
Ben & Mandy Newick
Good luck Alex with your epic challenge - huge respect. Ben & Mandy
£54
Mujib Ali
Good Luck Alex
£54
Shaun Roche
Good luck
£54
Chris Samms
Best of luck Alex….some epic challenge…you don’t do things by half.
£54
Helen Macnaughton
Best of luck Alex! Don’t look up when your in the hills!
£54
Fcdos Fantasy Footy Group
Good luck from the Funny Clunts Drinking OverSeas fantasy football Groups.
£54
Morgan
Well done Alex! Apologies my donation was slower than your ride! ;)
£54
Graeme Forbes
Good Luck Alex, everyone is already proud of you!
£50
Timothy Simpson
Alex, good luck mate. Break a leg (too soon?)
£50
Kieran Madden
£50
Reina, Rob, Ren And Luke
So proud of you bro. We’re rooting for you all the way. xx
£50
Brian Farnham
£50
Ross Fisher
Pleasure to meet you and spend time with you. all the best for an incredible challenge. I'm sure you have it within you. Chapeau
£50
Claire Rosset
Wishing you all the very best Alex ! My other half is a very keen cyclist and will be following the TDF closely. I have become a cycling "widow" and very happy. Best regards to you and the family. Claire
£50
Nigel Wightman
£43.20
Graham
When your lungs are done, your legs don’t want to spin and you have sores in unmentionable areas just think you could be at work! Have a amazing adventure, fingers crossed for tailwinds and sunny days!
£32.40
James Dorrill
Well done Alex, what an amazing charity you’ve chosen. Your changing lives for the better….all you have to do is suffer for 3 weeks. I’m joking, you’ll have the time of your life. Best of luck.
£32.40
Fred Wisdom
Best of Luck Alex!!
£30
Chris Fox
£30
Colin Tully
Good luck Alex
£30
Cece Bennett
Good luck Dad, you’ve got this!
£30
Bob Atkin
The very best of luck Alex, a monumental achievement when you cross the finish line, which you will.
£30
Alex Banning
All the very best for this awesome challenge!
£30
Bcs Events
Volunteer MK MoRun- thank you for your help!
£27
Kurt Fisher
Great cause - smash it Alex!
£27
Walter Baird
Hi Alex, as you know I was one of the slowest in Girona - but I keep going and catch up eventually! Hope you kept it going and that you enjoyed it too! All the best, Walter
£27
Kerry Brookes
£27
Manny Kang
happy cycling :-)
£27
Wing Commander Andrew Higham
Quite a challenge, I am sure you will be fine. Take a puncture repair kit! Good Luck.
£27
Nigel Parker
A noble cause Alex. Good Luck.
£27
Tim Hughes
Good Luck Alex, those hills will hurt
£27
Rachel Oflynn
£27
Andy Norris
£27
Anil Patel
All the best Alex.
£27
Sanjay Shah
All the best and good luck.
£27
Max Mccaffrey
Allez Allez Allez!!!
£27
Leigh Fennell
Good luck Alex. Hope you have an enjoyable and safe adventure.
£27
Bob German
Good luck and enjoy the ride.
£27
Tess
Fantastic challenge Alex. I know you will do it x
£27
Funny Clunts Drinking Overseas
Good luck from the Funny clunts overseas again
£27
Martin Shea
Good luck Alex!
£25
Paul Haigh
Awesome challange but I am sure you are up to it. Enjoy every minute and remember pain is only in your mind.
£25
Matthew Smith
Amazing achievement, Alex!
£25
Angela Clark
Good Luck Alex!
£25
Graham Bennett
Epic ride mate, got to uphold the Bennett name, good luck and all the best.
£25
Craig Chapman
Best of luck Alex - I'm sure you'll smash it!!
£25
Aleks Bosch
Amazing effort Alex - I'm in awe!
£25
Phil Owen
Good luck Mr Bennett……. You’ll be absolutely fine, just push the left pedal then the right then the left then the right then the left. Also, consider fitting some stabilisers.
£25
Simon Lochmuller
All the best Alex
£25
George Richards
I HAVE EVERY FAITH IN YOU YOUR A BENNETT
£25
Joseph
Make sure to stay off the Dragons Milk!
£25
Kyle
All the best Alex. Great to meet you in Girona CHPT3.
£25
Dan Farrand-laine
£25
Mk Winter Half Marathon
Best of luck with your challenge, Alex!
£21.60
Alan Mckerron
Good Luck, ride well and keep thinking about the party on the boat at the end !
£21.60
Caroline Saunders
Well done Alex. You are an inspiration!
£21.60
Chris Peerless
Best of luck Alex. If anyone can do this you can.
£21.60
Peter Felce
Good Luck Alex
£21.60
Anonymous
£20
Lawrence
Good luck Alex, you'll need it!
£20
Stu H
£20
John Steers
£20
Gary Grogan
Good luck Alex! Smash it!
£10.80
Kam Bath
Keep going Alex.
£10.80
Isobel Bell
Good Luck Alex
£10.80
Matt Bowes
£10.80
Gavin Thomas
I commend you Alex for supporting such a worthy cause in this manner. Hope you dont get too many blisters! Enjoy the moment.
£10.80
Helen Butler-landman
Awesome!! Good luck
£10.80
Anonymous
All the very best Alex
£10.80
Kat Shepherd (olivari)
Good luck Alex :-)
£10.80
Hamali Patel
£10.80
Anonymous
Best of luck with your ride, wishing you all the best!
£10
Lucie Murphy
Good Luck Alex!
£10
Anonymous
Fantastic achievement Alex! You should be very proud of yourself! Jeff
£10
Mike
You’ve got this Alex, you’ll smash it. Enjoy.
£10
Duncan Mccahill
Good luck Alex
£10
Steven Ray
Good luck Alex. Keep going on those climbs.
£10
Ify Agboola
All the very best with the tour, Alex. Sounds like a great cause.
£10
Eva Bennett
Good luck Dad!
Sponsoring myself so there is no backing out now!