Luke and James Tanner

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Dad and I are once again tackling the hardest stages of the Tour de France!!

As many of you are aware, this is not the first time Dad and I have endured some crazy bike rides together…

It all began when I was 12, we conquered Lands End to John O’Groats over a gruelling 9 days on a tandem!

Since then in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022 at least one of us (2018 and ’19 was a team effort) has taken part in Le Loop (formerly Tour de Force).

Whilst it may seem like we are doing the same thing again, this year is different… Dad will be 63!! For all of you who know him, you may also be surprised to learn this.

This year in July we will be covering 1007 km’s over 7 days for the Tour’s coined “Mountains Week” – I can only imagine it will be as difficult as it sounds. This year the Mountains Week takes us across both the Jura and Alps ranges, many of you reading this may have experienced these mountains on skis rather than a bicycle… we’re going to need some moral support!

To summarise a few key points:

- Our third day (Stage 14) takes us up 4,100m of ascents with 6 major Cols and finishing in Morzine

- Stage 15 is even harder with 4,300m of climbing over 180km, finishing with gradients of up to 17% peaking at St. Gervais – Mt. Blanc

- Stage 16 is a nice short 22km (Sprint Stage) however because it is the Tour de France they still throw in 650m of climbing. An eye-watering 30m of climbing per km travelled

- Stage 17 is our mammoth climbing day (not to undermine the previous 6 days)! Today we will climb +5,000m over 166km (~33m ascent per km travelled). This altitude gain is ~60% of the total height of Mt. Everest*! Your thoughts will likely be with Dad on this day as my 25yo legs will HOPEFULLY be fresher

*For context, it takes the average climber 2-4 days to climb from base camp to the summit of Mt. Everest. This is following 2 months of acclimatizing at base camp. Base camp to the summit is 3,500m ascending.

This brings me to the most important part of our Tour. We are looking to raise £3,000 for a wonderful charity, the William Wates Memorial Trust (WWMT). The Trust is a grants-giving registered charity set up in 1998 with a mission to help the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence, and fulfil their potential. Le Loop is its largest fundraising event of the year raising between £300,000-£500,000 (gross) each year.

Any donation you can make to support WWMT would be hugely appreciated and will motivate us as we embark on the difficult task ahead.

Training is underway, and your help will keep us going! Thank you in advance. We look forward to keeping you updated on our efforts.

My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

£1,000

Gene Tanner

Good luck on the ride, don't let the mountains scare you!

£775

Victoria Tanner

You've got this Team Tanner! I will be willing you up those mountains. I'm very proud of you both. Lots of love xx

£750

Paul And Annette Wates

£515

Edward Whitley

Well done - please don't invite me next year

£515

Beat Bass

Congratulation to the Tanner Team on this outstanding achievement!

£265

David Pinnegar

£250

Julian Brown

Bravo?? Sounds tough

£250

Lilly Wakley

I am in awe of you both and wish you so much luck. I hope you have fun and laughter despite the saddle sore and aching limbs. We will be willing you both on. Huge, huge love, Joe, Lilly, Jamie and Toby xx

£250

Jeremy & Katherine Garrett-cox

Brilliant effort Team Tanner! So very proud of you both. Congratulations!!

£215

Rupert Burgoyne

Good luck you crazy men!

£100

Chris Newell

Great effort for a very worthy cause.

£100

Anonymous

What a fantastic charity and event. Good luck to you both

£75

Michael Granville Bromley-martin

£54

Sarah Hardy

Delighted to support your amazing effort!

£50

Caroline Thoraval Ronsseray

GO GO GO Luke !!! Amazing charity to support, well done for doing this. Tour de France, so exciting ! Make me proud : )

£50

Arman Partow

Good luck for the challenge!

£50

Stephen Waud

Luke & Jim, many congratulations on completing this daunting challenge in support of an excellent cause.

£27

Alex E

Great work Luke - looking forward to seeing the Strava progress :D

£27

Ben Kittow

£25

Marc Sigot

"I'm quite mad by nature, and it's my craziness that has saved me from extinction." Marco Pantani

£20

Lewis Austen

Great Challenge, Good Luck! 👊

£20

Hannah Gregg

Good luck Luke!! Light work!

£10

James Newlands

Good luck mate!

£10

Jason Tang

You got this mate!

£5

Odette Nicoll

Will we see you wearing the 'King of the Mountain' Jersey????

£5

Ronan Mchugh

Good Luck, great cause!