Epic 1600km+ cycling challenge: Le Loop.
Hi, I’m taking on an epic challenge to ride 9 stages (First Half) of the 2023 Tour de France route from 24th of June in support of the William Wates Memorial Charity. The "Le Loop" ride covers the official route of the Tour de France, one week ahead of the professionals, some 3,400kms. My ride is over 1600 kms in length with many days of climbing over 3000m.!
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.
The fundraised money is entirely separate from the participation fee - donations do not pay for my Tour. 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! Riding 9 stages is still unthinkable but I will drive myself to complete it. Please reward my cycling pain and make getting a sore rear end worth it by giving generously.
Really appreciate any amount donated & Merci!
Viva le tour!
My Updates
Another long weekend of rides. !
Monday 29th May 3days of hilly rides this bank holiday weekend with a ride of 185km on Saturday & a reasonable hill climb at end giving me confidence about the first 2 days where this will b the case. Need some work done on my front disc brakes.! Share
Long rides!
Thursday 25th May My weekly mileage has been ramped up & following a number of 100 mile rides, um now feeling like this will be achievable as long as I fuel up! Ride out into the Peak District a few times lately to places I’ve not been before which has been great. Thanks again for the donations, it all helps & inspires! Share
2 Months to Go
Thursday 27th Apr With 2 months to go I am starting to see how the challenge of completing 9 stages might be possible with good strength in the legs and having done a number of 100 mile + rides on fairly minimal nutrition.
Majorca fun
Tuesday 18th Apr My cycling trip to Majorca went well even riding along briefly with a fellow Le loop cyclist from Canada! Cycled down & back up from Sa Calobra beach, great climb at 9.6km. That was on day 3 of the trip. Superb location for a training boost & lucky I had warm weather & a great bike to ride. Share
Training under way
Wednesday 22nd Mar have been doing a fair bit of bike riding around the peak district near where i live - managed 180km last weekend (18/19 mar) and 80km today 22/3. I'm off to Mallorca tomorrow for 5 days of cycling and hoping that will give me a boost in strength and endurance capability.!Thank you to my Sponsors
£365
John
£218
Anonymous
£108
Zoe Rigby
Best of luck on your epic adventure. Safe riding John & Zoe Rigby
£108
Wilson Horne
Good luck
£100
Mike Roche
Best of luck Simon, its amazing challenge and a great charity
£100
Jean Ardern
Good luck with this huge challenge Simon, enjoy it! Thank you for everything you have done xx
£81
Nicky Van Der Ploeg
You are amazing. So proud of all the training you are doing. We are routing for you the VDP’s
£54
Mark Tabachnik
Amazing effort mate and great work with the training rides. Proud to share the road with you - keep going up them hills
£54
Natalie Ward
Plenty of vaseline Simon!! You’ll smash it xx
£54
Jane Heath
Good Luck Si, fantastic challenge! Love, Jane, Stu & The Heaths!
£50
Bernadette Ford
Amazing undertaking Simon, good on you and good luck!
£50
Debbie N Andy Henshaw
Si We know you will smash it ‘ BELIEVE’ Sending loads of love n energy , so PROUD xx Deb n Andy xxx
£50
Chris Knight
Gods luck, ride hard
£50
Clara N
Good luck Si ! Have fun 🤩 Chris , Clara,Tom and Will xx
£50
Warren Clements
You’re a nutcase! 1600km plus the Tourmalet!
£50
Chris Winstanley
See you there
£38.88
Rajesh Rathod
A great cause Simon and an uphill challenge. I'm sure you will smash it. All the best
£30
James R Webb
Well done Simon, an amazing massive challenge doing something you love and raising money for a good cause too!. Enjoy the experience which will be fantastic!!
£27
Howard Knight
Ride hard enjoy your self . Best of luck Sue and Howard.
£27
Tom Knight
£27
Richard Green
Good luck in the TdF Simon.
£25
Shaun Gilmour
Great challenge, smash it buddy
£25
Juliette
Best of luck Simon!
£21.60
Simon Knight
£20
Shuly Choudhury
£20
Ian Wilson
Good Luck Simon
£20
Mary Strasburger
£10.80
Sue Welsh
good luck simon you can do it
£10.80
Mike Patchett
You can do it! Then we will have a game of golf.
£10.80
Caitilin Bradbury
£10.80
Hannah Gibbins
Good luck Simon !
£10
Maria Hearne
Good Luck Simon, not an easy challenge. Wishing you all the best
£10
Neil Till
Well done Simon
£6
Rb
Good luck and a great charity to support!
Donation from my neighbour.