Le Loop - supporting the William Wates Memorial Trust
As part of my getting old crisis, it's my 60th this year, I have signed up to ride Le Loop. This is a cycling event that follows the entire 21 day route of the Tour de France and I will be cycling 6 of the most mountainous stages. It has been described as “the toughest endurance race on earth” and could well be 10 hours mountain cycling a day!
I normally hate the idea of asking for charity donations for a sport I love to do for fun, but in this case I would love it if you would sponsor me as there's a huge benefit for the William Wates Memorial Trust and my efforts, for once, will help the charity loads. I fund the actual trip myself and will be matching every donation with an equal amount up to my charity target figure. Please remember to tick the gift aid box!
The event is held each year to raise money for the WWMT, a grants giving Trust (set up in 1998 in memory of Will by his family after he was tragically killed while on his gap year - the Trust is run by his parents and brothers) which aims to support disadvantaged young people through the mediums of art, sport and education to keep them away from a life of crime and violence. These are young people whose lives can be changed – but funding for the sorts of projects which can do this is desperately lacking. Some of their stories can be read here or a video here.
It starts on Friday 25th June 2025 and it turns out it's going to be way harder than expected, so my subsequent request for charity donations is somewhat more justified than I expected! I'm riding with 3 other friends who are also just hitting 60 and we'll be riding 612 miles and climbing 70,000 feet over a 6 days (996km and 21,300m) in the Pyrenees, Ventoux and the Alps. Climbs involve Tourmalet, Ventoux, Glandon and Col de La Loze to name just a few and the days will be way more than I am used.
Le Loop is going to be really hard at 60 so it's not a 'soft' challenge … so anything you can do to help the WWMT charity will be hugely appreciated … no matter what amount. If you want to see what I'm up to on the bike then ping a follow request to https://www.strava.com/athletes/2940234
Wish me luck !
Jed
Keep on pedalling!