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Simon Bowden (Tour of Tours 2027)

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Help me reach my goal of £4,500

Le Loop - supporting the William Wates Memorial Trust

The 2027 Le Loop 'Tour of Tours’ is an historic and legendary challenge. Instead of the standard Tour de France route, we will tackle an iconic route featuring the most demanding, and legendary stages in Tour de France cycling history, including an historic stage dating back to 1939! This ultimate challenge concludes by riding the official 2027 final stage into Paris, finishing 21 gruelling stages later. By this point, I will have ridden around 1824 miles (2,935km) and climbed 177,165 feet (54,000 metres) in just 3 weeks.
On Saturday 26th June 2027, around 100 riders will gather in Nice for the 'Grand Depart'. Some will cycle a few days, some will ride further, and more will join us over the following 3 weeks of the tour.
Riders tackle one of a selection of "Loops," riding anything from 2 to all 21 stages. I am taking on the full 21 stage challenge. 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 fulfill 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 few 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.
I am also riding this tour in loving memory of my parents. Their legacy has completely funded my entry and participation fees for this event. Riding these grueling miles and raising £4,500 to change the lives of vulnerable young people is my way of honoring them, and I know making this impact in their memory would make them deeply proud.
Le Loop is no small undertaking. Riding these legendary and historic stages is going to hurt! Please reward my pain by giving generously to help me reach my £4,500 goal.
Merci, Vive le Tour!

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

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£992 + £176.65 GiftAid

My Goal

£4,500

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My Achievements

My Updates

The build up has started already

Friday 7th Aug

Well, I officially entered the 2027 Tour of Tours with Le Loop - a three‑week endurance challenge built from some of the most iconic and demanding stages ever ridden in Tour de France history. It’s a huge milestone after a long couple of years: a High Tibial Osteotomy in 2023, plate removal in March this year, and a full Achilles rupture in June 2025. That rupture was the injury that stopped me riding Le Loop last year, when I’d hoped to take it on alongside Martin Colston, a fellow Newbury Velo Club member. Martin has just finished his Le  Loop, and watching him complete it is both inspiring and terrifying as I start my own journey toward next July.

There’s still some rehab to finish. My knee surgery is now pretty much settled, and my Achilles is in the latter stages of healing, strong, stable, and finally behaving itself. On 23rd July I’m having a steroid injection to deal with a hip bursitis issue, which should clear the last remaining niggle before structured training begins.

From 1st August, the real work started: building durability, consistency and confidence over the next eleven months. This blog will follow the journey from the first training block all the way to the start line next July, and hopefully through the Tour itself, if time and sleep allow…! find our more at www.simonbowden.uk

Thank you to my Sponsors

£250

Narpo - Berskhire

NARPO Berkshire is proud to support the William Wates Memorial Trust. As retired police officers, we know how vital early intervention is in helping vulnerable young people build positive futures. WWMT funds projects that give young people purpose, structure and support at the moments they need it most. Their work reflects the values we carried throughout our policing careers, and we are pleased to contribute to this challenge and the charity it supports.

£107

James & Sarah Bowden

Smash it my big bro. Do us all proud matey....Mum & Dad will be looking down with support I'm sure. xxx

£55.88

Michael Vince

£55.88

Emily Nicol

A cause very close to my heart and work, I wish you all the best you’re amazing!

£54.75

Paul Sorensen

Best of luck mate.

£54.75

Fiona & Tys

What an amazing fete of endurance in aid of a great charity. We don’t have any doubt you’ll smash it!!

£54.75

Melvyn Kendall

£50

Gareth Davies

Good luck Simon, huge undertaking, looking forward to following your progress

£50

Adrian Sealy

Good luck Simon

£33.15

Graham And Madeline Jones

Thats a tough one Simon, it’s likely to hurt and admire you determination- go well and stay safe Graham and Madeline.

£28

Lesley Jesshop

What a challenge you are taking on. Well done e and good luck.

£28

Kevin Fitzpatrick

Good luck mate!

£28

Michael Clare

Wow. Best wishes and good luck with this challenge. Great what you are doing.

£25

Sharon

Respect Simon & my best wishes for a safe completion ❤️

£25

Peter Carter

£22.80

David Gilbert

Good luck Simon

£20

Mary Winks

What a fantastic challenge. Best of luck Simon and look forward to following your journey on Strava!

£17.10

Sheena Evans

Good Luck

£11.55

Mike Mahon

£10

Annie Inglis

All the best for your challenge

£10

Emma Garside

Good luck Simon