I'm taking on an epic cycling challenge: Le Loop.
Le Loop follows the official route of the Tour de France, one week ahead of the professionals and finishes 21 stages later in Paris, some 3,400kms later.
Riders tackle one of a selection of "Loops" riding anything from 2 to all 21 stages of the Tour de France route. I'll be taking on the first nine stages, riding 1,626km in just nine days including huge mountain climbs in the Pyrenees. Every participant commits 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 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!
My Updates

OUCH!
Wednesday 7th Dec
Thank you to my Sponsors

£1,000
Whittlesea Mortgages

£108
Andy Marsh

£108
Cinderella
I’d love to be there to cheer you on, but the children and I will be following every step of your epic mission from home - and cooking delicious dinners after your training rides to keep you motivated over the coming months! This is huge, I’m very proud of you.

£108
Stuart Forrest
Several very big days out on the bike! Ride well, keep it rubber side down, and enjoy! Stuart, Cherry, Elsie & Rose

£108
Cecilia And Richard Whittlesea

£108
Sam Whittlesea

£81
Emma And Denver
Head down bottoms up and good luck, we hope you get some enjoyment and it isn't too gruelling 👍 ✨️

£54
Pure Protect
Good luck Sam, from all at Pure Protect

£54
Tmg Network
Well done sam, great effort from Everyone at head office

£50
Ray Cornish
Great cause Sam, so proud of you for tackling this huge challenge. Take care of yourself and Lamby and come home safe. Much love Ray xx

£50
Cherry
Proud of you Sam x

£50
Cura
Good luck Sam! From your friends at Cura.

£50
Leighton Ballantine
Well done Sam. Great effort. Enjoy it 😉

£50
Fliss And Ray Cornish
Wow, what an amazing challenge - and for such a good cause. Go Sam!

£50
Anonymous
Hope you manage the ride with no injuries - good luck John & Juliet

£43.20
Dilys Hanson
You are a superstar Sam. Wishing you lots of strength. With best wishes, Dilly and Peter xx

£35
Jules
Inspirational, Sam!

£27
David Ballantine
Congratulation on the massive achievement, it looked like an awesome experience and for a great cause.

£27
Jordan Croft

£27
Simon Hill
Best of luck Sam. An epic challenge for a very worthy cause. Chapeau

£27
Emily Griffin
Good luck Sam!

£27
Simon Richards
Congratulations Sam, I know a little about multi day cycling trips and how hard it is, day after day. You've absolutely smashed it, should be very proud of your achievement and what good it will do for your charity.

£25
Anonymous
I told you I'd donate. . . Congratulations on completing this! From the Edneys

£25
Jonathan Needham
Keep going mate 👊🏼🚀

£21.60
West Country Drainage Services
Good luck Sam you will smash it, Leanne and Jody x

£21.60
Chloë & Charlie
Good Luck Sam!

£21.60
Adam Laws

£21.60
Sanita Jankovska

£20
Rachel H
Go smash it Sam 💪

£20
Louise & Stuart Kington
Good luck Sam! If you’re as good at this as you are mortgages, you’ll smash it 😁

£20
Mark Chappell
Good Luck Sam!

£20
Luke Whittlesea
Good adventure, from bro 🙂

£20
Matt & Megan

£16.20
Alison Wright
Good luck

£15
Lisa
Good luck Sam! Sounds epic but you’ll smash it

£15
Jen Kemp
Best of luck Sam! I'm sure you'll smash it!

£15
Aisling Magill
You are going to breeze it Sam. The best of luck

£10.80
Charlotte Godding
Good luck Sam!! Such a brilliant cause to raise money for. Enjoy the views through the pain, you have got this!!😊

£10.80
Thomas Denovan

£10.80
Jo Savant (reader)
Good luck huni, you’ve got this x

£10.80
Simon Cutler
Good luck mate!

£10.80
Brian Laney
Good luck my friend from Brian Laney

£10.80
James Thompson
Best of Luck Sam, enjoy the journey its a special place to be!

£10.80
Antonio Araldi
You are the best 💪💪

£10.80
Lesley Elsworthy
Well done Sam

£10.80
Anna Shakespeare-luck

£10
Liv & Joe

£10
Josh Padfield
Amazing work Sam, hope you're smashing it!!

£10
Anonymous

£10
Dave Poole

£10
Mohammad Zahoor

£10
Alison Wright
Keep going Sam

£10
Shaun Luther
Good luck!

£5.40
Victoria Burden
Good luck Sam.Sorry it’s not much.Hope you get your goal and enjoy the adventure 👍🏻

£5.40
Marcus P
Congrats on completing the Le Loop stages- despite the difficulty with the injury!
Crack on!