Greenie tdf 2024

Share my page

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 Nice (due to the Olympics in Paris).

On Friday 21st June 2024 along with around 100 riders, I will be in Florence for the 'Grand Depart'. I will be riding the 21 days of Le Tour,  many more will join us over the 3 weeks of the tour to ride various sections. 

Riders tackle one of a selection of "Loops" riding anything from 2 to all 21 stages of the Tour de France route. Every participant commits to raising a minimum amount for the William Wates Memorial Trust (WWW 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.

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!

Greenie

My Achievements

My Updates

Getting closer

Tuesday 21st May
Well well, 33 days to go. Getting very close now. Feeling pretty good. Training going well, as far as I know, fund raising beyond what I thought I would manage and the excitement levels are high. My Tollage mate John will be with me on route to Nice and he is riding very well, so will probably see more of the back of his bib shorts than the countryside we will witness. Cant wait.

Getting close.

Saturday 30th Mar
85 days to go. Couple of very good days training Good Friday and today, even saw the sun today. 80 miles and the best Hot Cross Bun imaginable at the Blue Egg Gt Barnfield. 

Rider event and 100 days to go

Friday 15th Mar
Well 100 days to go. On Wednesday 13th I attended a rider meet in London. It was great meeting some fellow loopers but particularly nice to meet one of the charities being supported by WWMT. Football Beyond Boarders FBB, told us all about their amazing work . It gave us all a lift and the encouragement needed to get those training miles in. Also lovely to meet Rick Wates, Katie our leader and Ben the ride captain. Its getting very real now.

Kentish Killer 3rd Feb 24

Monday 4th Mar

Kentish Killer

Monday 4th Mar
The days are rolling on. The rain has prevented a lot of road training but on 3rd Feb I rode the Kentish Killer, over 60 miles and a good amount of climbing so much needed hill work. Really well organised event. Roads not great but good enough. Pretty cool starting and finishing on the track at Brands Hatch. With 111 days to go, need bigger distances with same sort of climbing. 

127 days to go

Saturday 17th Feb
Its been a little while since I posted an update. Its been hard getting the road miles in during a very wet winter. Got wet and cold a lot, had one spill but feeling some progress. Fund raising going pretty well and looking forward to meeting some other riders on 13th March in London. Thanks to everyone who have donated and a bog thank you to the Le Loop team for keeping us all posted with updated.

XO Bikes visit

Wednesday 29th Nov
Along with some fellow Loopers I attended XO Bikes in Lewisham, one of the amazing projects supported by The William Wates Memorial Trust. We were joined by one of the family trustees Jonny Wates. I was a great pleasure to meet Jonny and my fellow Loops. It was such an eye opener as to the great work being supported by the WWMT. I think we all came away determined to do as well as we can for the Trust and the supported projects. Great work Onwards and Upwards and XO Bikes. 

Route announced

Friday 27th Oct
Watching the route being announced I was filled with two emotions, excitement and fear in equal measures. The route is brutal but beautiful. Will have to find some extra hill in Essex to train on. :)

Oct 24 is close

Thursday 19th Oct
Its getting close now. The full route gets announced next week on 24th Oct. Plenty of rumours. My thinking was that The Ventoux would feature given stage 21 being in Nice. Not seen anything saying that just yet. Training is going well, getting cold and dark now, but enjoying the challenge. Completed a 100-mile sportive in Kent a couple of weeks ago. Lots of hills so really good training.

So it starts

Wednesday 13th Sep
After completing JOGLE in 2015 I had been looking for another challenge. With a few under the belt such as Coast to Coast in a Day, the three climbs of The Ventoux joining the Cingles du Mont Ventoux club, and various other rides I felt at the ripe old age of 62 I should ride all 21 stages of The Tour de France. So here we are. Training has started and now the fundraising will start. Thanks for reading this first post, I plan to write many more

Thank you to my Sponsors

£700

Robert Miller

£515

Sem Kneeshaw

Best of luck mate!

£500

Friends At The Hop Inn.

Donations made following an amazing talk by Paul at barfield capital tours at the wonderful Hop Inn Hornchurch. Thanks to all for coming. Thanks also to Robert Smith and Sons butchers Hornchurch and Le Moulin Patisserie for their generous raffle donations.

£220

Iwrfc

Donation is money raised at Ilford Wanderers Rugby club lunch on Sat. Thanks for much to friends and team mates at IWRFC.

£108

Stephen Bull

Keep in pedalling Paul, all the best from us all.

£108

Jim Fuller

Best of luck Greenie - top effort and a great cause!

£108

Bad Bob

Congratulations on completing the challenge Greenie an awesome effort!

£108

Rob Folkes

Good luck chum, can’t believe you’re going to do it but I think I remember you mentioning it.

£100

Chuck Robinson

Go Greenie! Fantastic challenge for a fantastic cause. I know you will give it your best shot. Good luck!

£100

Anonymous

What a great fundraising activity Greenie. You are of course as mad as a hatter. We look forward to hearing about your progress. Bon Chance!

£100

Joan And Andy

Well done and best of luck from the Brett’s.

£54

Paul Church

Best of Luck Greenie!

£54

Jp

Good luck ...and take plenty of arse cream

£54

David Hemmings

Good luck lads. Regards Ginger

£54

James Guckian

good luck Greenie - those 21 days are going to hurt

£54

Martin Beadle

Hi Greenie wishing you the best of luck on the ride. It is a great cause and I know you will complete the course no problems. Can you please promise to talk about something else once you’ve finished.

£54

Mr R H Plant-mason

Good luck Mace.

£54

John Peardon

Admire you mate. All the best.

£50

Tim Kneeshaw

Best of luck.

£50

Leigh Bliss

£50

Gary Green

£50

Anonymous

£50

Brian Green

Big lump to chew Paul but with the right mind and belief I know you can do it. So proud you are one of us Greenies….

£50

Dai Rees

Youre a good man Greenie, mad but good.

£50

Rob Gayler

You're mad, good luck though, it's a great cause

£43.20

Phil Jones

Such a great way to raise money for a good cause. Well done and keep it going through the mountains, all the very best, regards Phil

£43.20

Colin Blake

Good luck Greenie, I’m expecting at least 5 stage wins from you! Have fun and enjoy the experience.

£43.20

Tollgate Rugby

£32.40

Andy And Deepti

Thanks to Andy and Deepti for their donation. That said I had to wear an East London rugby shirt for the evening, no such thing as a free lunch :) cheers

£32.40

Connor

Winnings from a family , count the coins in the jar, gratefully donated by son-in-law Conner. Cheers Connor

£32.40

Rachel Morris

Go show those loops who's boss!! Love Stacey & Rach, Joe&Jam

£32.40

Andrew Plested

From one of the old headless chickens

£30

Steve & Grace Welch

Well done Greenie. A very noble cause and by jove you deserve a pat on the back for this achievement 👏

£30

Paul Warr

£30

Ian Tomlinson

From Rachel Fullard's Dad and Anne

£30

Keith Green

My Uncle wanted to donate to the cause but sadly passed away on Thursday, so a donation on his behalf . Cheers Keith.

£27

David Dutch

Best of luck Paul. A big challenge, but sure you will smash it.

£27

Vincent Bourke

Good luck 👍

£27

Graham Wright

Go well mate , good luck.

£27

Kevin Beer-jones

£27

Timmy Hall

£27

Kevin Walsh

Great work Greenie, love your insights and reflections. Look forward to the book!!!

£27

Nicholas Keen

Great Work Paul Well done mate Nick

£27

Neil Lightfoot

£27

Neil Black

Good luck matey. Great cause. Sticky

£27

Terry Botten

Good luck Greenie I hope all goes well mate

£27

Maria

Bonne!!! Chance Greenie. Hope all the training for Le Tour is going well and well one on smashing your target. This is an amazing challenge!!!!

£27

George Stilgoe

Great start good luck with the rest 👍

£27

Howard Dale

Allez Greenie!

£27

Anonymous

£27

Bruce Forsyth

Best of luck Greenie

£25

Jonathan Chatfield

£25

Rachel Fullard

Good luck with the ride Greenie! You are an absolute legend and I'm sure you will smash it.

£25

Nia Mellor

What an epic adventure for an incredible cause. Nice one Greenie - good luck!

£25

Seb Gordon

£25

Stephen Rossiter

Good luck mate

£25

Rob Kelleher

Good man Paul all the best Rob Kelleher

£21.60

Pete Sweetman

Good luck Greenie, amazing challenge for a great cause. Enjoy mate and stay safe. Pete and family

£21.60

Chris Richards

Good Luck Greenie, keep smashing it.

£21.60

Ces Loader

Marv. Rugby must have knocked all the sense out of you, you absolute nutter! Bon chance Mon ami, Marv

£21.60

Glint Dental Clinics

Donation from Glint Dental in Hornchurch. Thanks very much

£21.60

Darren Priestley

Good luck Greenie. Will be following your progress.

£21.60

Stephen Curry

Good luck mucka

£21.60

Rob Thorpe

Good luck Paul!

£21.60

Dennis Golding

All the best

£21.60

Alaysa Bond

Well done Greenie! Massive achievement we’re all just pleased you didn't die. Celebrators beers soon! The Bonds x

£21.60

Nick Barr

Good luck Greenie! What an adventure

£21.60

Matthew Spall

£21.60

Gary Lizzimore

£21.60

Drew

Well done mate, amazing achievement. Drew

£21

Martin Ward

An amazing effort by all! Genuinely awesome.

£20

Graham Loader

Go Greenie! If I can get a tandem can I come. Good luck mate.

£20

Greenie

me again

£20

Sam Collins

Go Greenie!!!

£20

Paul Ellis

A Marine and a Para together in France in June. Lets hope it ends as well as D-Day. Good Luck Greenie x

£20

Sash Seevaratnam

You're going to smash it Greenie! :)

£20

Matt Fitzgerald

£20

Liam Johnston

Good luck mate

£20

Rich W - Hcc

£20

Jon Witt

Go on Greenie lad 💪

£20

Andy Winters

Mate, good luck … you may need it but I know you will smash it 😁 well done in advance

£20

Jerry Meek

Go Greenie. Don’t forget your puncture repair kit and take the stabilisers off when you get to France

£20

Tracy Jane Gunn

Go on Greenie, fabulous cause.

£20

Paul Green

£15

Harry Minhas

You're a crazy guy for taking up this challenge, but much respect to you mate! Great cause. Good luck!

£13

Natalie Sullivan

£10.80

Paul Bailey

Good luck Paul

£10.80

Paul Miller

Have an amazing trip Paul, it sounds absolutely incredible (although I would not be able to do it). All the best mate

£10.80

Alvina Lachman-miller

all the best Greenie!

£10.80

Linda Smith

Good luck Paul . I know you can do this x

£10.80

Dan Taylor

Good luck and best wishes, both for the ride and what comes after. Hope the hunt for those training hills in Essex is successful!

£10.80

Andy B (hcc)

Doing amazing mate, how are you not on your knees! Keep going, totally in awe.

£10.80

Elizabeth Medley

£10.80

Carolyn

Good luck on your epic bike ride for a fantastic cause! Go Greenie!

£10.80

Spencer Littlechild

Best of luck Greenie Spenno

£10.80

Monique Page

Good luck!! Going to smash it

£10.80

Melody Squire

£10

Joanne

Hay way to go Greenie well done

£10

Sarah White

£10

Clement Dessaint

£5.40

Katarzyna Karbowska

£5

Anonymous

Thanks you for anonymous donation from customer of J&J