Couch to 15k (elevation) - Le Loop - supporting the William Wates Memorial Trust
Being an inherently lazy person, I couldn't be bothered with the whole couch to 5k run thing, and thought I'd skip a few steps. So here I am, facing 4 days of cycling in the Alps this July, during which I will cover 659km and ascend 15,100m. Success measures are simple:
1) Raise a decent amount of money for charity
2) Survive
3) Finish
My previous best attempt at raising money for charity was many years ago at University, when I gave up drinking for 3 months. This raised a lot of money because most people who sponsored me thought their money was safe (and to be fair, could be forgiven for this mindset) - however I'm pretty strong willed when it suits me, and thus they had to cough up. Almost 20 years later, and now with 5 kids, such a challenge is now unattainable, so I'm settling for this as a close second.
Being serious for a moment, any donations you can spare will be hugely appreciated. Le Loop is a fantastic initiative which raises money for the William Wates Memorial Trust. The charity's 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.
Le Loop follows the official route of the Tour de France, one week ahead of the professionals, and finishes after 21 stages in Paris.
Riders tackle one of a selection of "Loops" riding anything from 2 to all 21 stages of the Tour de France route. My challenge in the Alps start on the 14th July.
Every participant commits to raising a minimum amount for the William Wates Memorial Trust. The fundraised money is entirely separate from the participation fee - donations do not pay for my Tour.
Wish me luck!
Thank you to my Sponsors
£154.76
Paul Fitzpatrick
£107
Panagiotis Papakostas
all the best for your personal PR and successful finish
£106
Michael D'ancona
Opening odds on this immediately.
£106
Jan & Steve
Go Mark! An ambitious challenge - we’ll be cheering you on from the safety of the couch :)
£100
Philip Keller
Great cause Mark. Huge ride. Good luck
£83.94
Becca And R-j
Toi toi toi!
£69.98
Simon Coster
15100m horizontally is bad enough let alone the other 644km. Good luck!
£55.88
Karen Brown
£54.75
Andy Hoskins
Shocked by this….
£54.75
Warwick & Beata Cooney
Wishing you all the very best with this Mark, well done 😀👍
£53.55
Richard Allen
Good luck mate. Keep drinking (water) and remember they drive on the right. Enjoy it and stay safe.
£53.32
John & Wendy Proctor
£53.32
Mark Carey
£53.32
Francis Guise
Good luck!
£53.32
Steve Cushman
All gas, no brakes!!!! Will (not your charitable cause, the other charity case) is a bitch.
£53.32
Alan Roser
Work it bitch
£53.32
Lesley Carey
Good luck
£53.32
David Andrade
Oh, this is going to be fun :)
£53.32
Michael Jack
Impressive stuff!
£50
Mike Sumun
Great work!
£50
Simon Birtwistle
Good Luck!
£31.51
David Carey
Go well, go safe. Good luck and enjoy!
£30
Richard Duggan
£28
Anonymous
£28
Sean
Best of luck, Mark. What a fantastic cause and an incredible experience to be part of. Wishing you all the very best.
£28
Nick Thorne
Best of luck, Mark! There will be a pint waiting for you at the end! Try to enjoy?!
£27.05
Push The Button
I want a ratio of 0.5 x time vs original ballpark time
£27.05
Russell Constable
£27.05
Craig Lawton
Well done my friend and good luck!
£27.05
Jen&nadja
You wonderful amazing man! We expect many pictures ❤️
£27.05
Dom
£26
Adam Mackie
TWSS
£25
Phil And Helen Smith
Good luck - you will smash it!
£25
Jitaditya Kumar
£25
Will Faerber
£25
Nia Dobson
£25
Chris & Hollie Chandler-davis
Good luck Mark. We hope Harriet has appropriately fuelled you with potato smileys ahead of the trip.
£25
Khush Kainth
On ya bike Mark, hope someone is holding out a cold can of Guinness when you ride past!!!
£22.80
Dan Greenhalgh
£22.80
Cecile
£22.80
David Rudge
GOOD LUCK
£21.84
Katrina Mcevoy
£21.84
Becks And Paul Laws
Good luck Mark!!!! Keep on peddling!!
£20
Mccaffrey Family
Good luck Mark, this sounds tiring but amazing!
£20
Helen, Simon And Family
Good luck Mark!
£17.10
The Napiers
Good luck
£16.56
Holly Henery
Let’s go Uncle Mark! Love Eden, Ru, Nya and Callia. Xx
£16.56
The Heydons
Go Mark! You’ve got this!! We’ll be routing for you!
£15
The Cutlers
Good luck Mark!
£15
Sarah H
Did I sponsor you first time round? I can't remember, but you did it then and you'll do it again. Good luck Mark. You can do it!
£11.55
Paul Dobson
£11.55
Ali Few
What a challenge Mark - absolutely fantastic. Best of luck. Hope you and all the family are well babycakes.
£10
Oliver Gratton
If it's "break a leg" in theatre is it "break the chain" in cycling? Either way, good luck mate!
£10
Natasha, Alan & Matilda Rees
Good luck, Mark!
£6.18
Anonymous
£5
Holly Ind
Good luck Mark! All the best! Holly, John & Frankie! Xox
I think we need a new target!