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. We start at the end of June in Barcelona.Participants commit 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 our Tour rides.
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.
It's been a tough couple of years for charities and particularly for young people. This is our 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 our pain by giving generously.
Merci!
My Updates
We made it! Final update
Monday 20th Jul Yesterday the 3 week circus that is riding the Tour de France came to a stop for us as we rolled into Paris for our final kilometres.
Alps
Saturday 18th Jul We have finished our Alps stages and are now headed to Paris for the finish. The Alps stages were some of the hardest back to back rides we have ever ridden. With tired legs and happy souls our journey of the Le Tour 2026 is approaching its finish. What a ride! 😁👍🚴 Share
2nd rest day
Monday 13th Jul Today was the second rest day. A welcome break after lots of climbing in the heat. Tomorrow our stage has been shortened a little as the heat wave continues. We have four mountain stages left, a time trial course to ride and the procession into Paris on Sunday. What a crazy couple of weeks and now the end is in sight. Again, thank you to everyone fo their support. Next update as we approach Paris 😁👍🚵 Share
Update after Stage 10
Tuesday 7th Jul Apologies for the lack of updates recently. The frantic pace of the Stages and the transfer logistics have made for some long days. The riding has been terrific so far and only watered down by a full blown storm on Stage 3 by Andorra. We had 100 riders taking shelter from the rain, lightening and 10 degrees in a very small cafe. All part of the charm of riding the Tour. We are well into our second week and already looking forward to our next rest day on Monday.
Stage 5
Wednesday 1st Jul After a couple of 200 km days today will be an easy day of only 165km.
Stage 1
Saturday 27th Jun Stage 1 completed which was more like a commute through Barcelona but we have a proper 180km ride tomorrow. 😁🆑 Share
2 days to go…
Thursday 25th Jun Thank you to everyone for their support as we are well on our way to our target fundraising. Our target training has not been what we had hoped aa injury and illness have set us back. but we are both back on our bikes and ready to go. We head to Barcelona tomorrow and our first stage is on Saturday. We will keep you updated on this page as we grind out each stage. Vive Le Tour! 🚲😁
2 months to go
Tuesday 28th AprThis July we will ride the entire 2026 Tour de France route – all 21 stages, 3,300km and 55,000m of climbing – one week ahead of the professionals.
No crowds. No TV coverage. No closed roads. Just three weeks of long days in the saddle.
We are doing this as a personal challenge and to raise funds for the William Wates Memorial Trust; an exceptional charity that supports young people who have had few opportunities, with real impact measured by keeping them away from crime and out of prison. Organised by Le Loop, every pound raised goes directly to the charity – we are covering all our own costs.
🎯
Our goal is £10,000 (with a minimum target of £6,000) before we roll out of Barcelona on Saturday 27 June. The pros will race the route – we just hope to finish it!
If you would like to support us we will be most grateful whether with a gift, a message of support or a re-post. Your contribution genuinely helps give more meaning to this ride.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Chris Lewis & Mike Cownley
Old enough to know better but young enough to do it anyway
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Old enough to know better ...
Sunday 15th Feb We are really looking forward to having a go at this year's route of the Tour de France 🚲.Thank you to my Sponsors
£5k
Anonymous Donation
£820
Simon Skinner
£750
Andrew
Please come back in one piece! Good luck.
£315
Philip Hare & Associates
Chris, Our good wishes for this Very Challenging Tough Velo/Cycle Tour We are sure you will be Valiant, Courageous and Triumphant
£313
Dave Hall
£300
Asha
Good luck!
£250
Watt Bomber
Amazing effort and great cause. Chapeau!
£200
James Ratzer
Beyond words in respect. What an experience for a great cause. Good luck to both of you.
£160.20
Mozzarella Xx
Vas-y Chris and Mike! You worked hard Mike and I hope you're proud of your achievement. Chris go for it and make us prouder!!
£107
The London Curtain And Blind Company
Go on lads. Super inspiring. See you at flamme rouge!
£107
Oliver Glasgow
Amazing work chaps… chapeau 💪👊
£107
Popsa
Congratulations to both of you!
£107
Becky (kiddo)
What a ride! And for such a fantastic cause, enjoy it and stay safe. Can’t wait to hear all about it! X
£107
Emma Ward
Good luck lads, you’re already winners!
£107
Ian Christie
£107
Vanessa Booth
You’ve got this 💪🏼🚴♂️💪🏼🚴♂️ It’s a great cause. Enjoy the ride!
£106
Aubone Tennant
Great cause. Bon chance. 💪💪💪
£106
Oliver East
May the sun shine every day and the breeze always be on your backs. What an adventure. Good luck and enjoy!
£106
Peter Collind
Good luck Chris
£106
Chris Lewis
£106
Mark Stokes
Good luck and stay fit!
£104.60
Anton And Linda
Tough challenge, excellent cause - wishing you strength, endurance and great satisfaction in achievement
£80.56
The Horne Clan
Bon Chance Chris and Mike. May the sun be in front and the wind on your tail. Great challenge and fundraising.
£54.75
Alyson Paul Tom & Ellie X
Good luck boys!
£54.75
Claire Libbey
Best of luck!! 😊
£54.75
James Hadley
£54.75
Andrew Cocker
Legendary work Mike 👏👏👏
£54.75
Roberto
£53.32
Ida Smith
Hoping for a 3 week tailwind for you!
£50
Harry Robson
£50
Benjamin Harber
Keep peddling Chris!
£50
Adrian Fahy
Go well lads. Great challenge for a great cause.
£50
Orla
Good luck Chris!!!!
£50
Ewan Mackinnon
Good luck gents - what an effort!
£50
Will Metcalfe
Well done fellas, amazing achievement for a great cause!!
£40
Alec Dent
GO DP!
£33.15
Aisling Taylor
Good luck Chris and Mike, incredible challenge and fantastic charity!
£28
Stuart Coleman
£28
Ali Karimi
Good luck Mike!
£27.05
Ben Wheeler
You’re my hero Mike!! 💪💪
£25
Stefania
Well done - amazing cause and achievement.
£25
Toby Langstone
Allez Mike & Chris !
£25
Anonymous
Best of luck Mike & Chris - keep going!! Great cause :)
£25
Ross Sullivan
Undecided if I'm more concerned for your legs or your bum 😂. Sounds like a great cause. Good luck. Allez Allez Allez
£25
Anne Burfitt
Go for it!!
£22.80
Sophie Hodges
Let’s goooooooooooo
£21.84
Andy Hall
Chris & Mike, Go for it and have fun along the way!
£20
Hugo Adams
Best of luck! I'm sure you will hone your inner Pogačar.
£12.25
Anonymous
£11.55
Rachel Feeney
Good luck Mike!
