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
On Friday 26th June 2026 I will join around 100 other riders in Barcelona ready for the 'Grand Depart'. Some will cycle a few days, some ride further. I will be one of the lucky (if slightly crazy) ones taking on the whole Tour de France route!!
This years Tour de France covers 3,333 km (2071 miles) with 54,450m of elevation gain -more than 6 times up Everest (gulp). The 2026 Tour route is rightly described as on of the toughest in recent years.
I am covering all my own costs to ride Le Loop and have committed to raising at least £3000 for the Will Wates Memorial Trust (WWMT). The fundraised money is entirely separate from the costs of taking part - 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.
WWMT support projects across the country but I'm delighted that the charity has been supporting several local charities, including Promoting Children in Plymouth. PCIP does amazing work promoting literacy and creating opportunities for young people in Plymouth. I've been lucky enough to visit one of the PCIP initiatives and the impact on young people's lives is very real and humbling to see in action.
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 many of us take for granted.
Le Loop is no small undertaking. While it will be an amazing experience, there is no doubt this is going to hurt! Please reward my pain by giving generously.
Merci!
Simon
Thank you to my Sponsors
£650
Pope Family
£500
Blokes Who Sing
A Joyful Noise - Good luck from the blokes!
£250
Anonymous
Ride well & stay safe
£220
Coalpit Clan
Just do it, but don’t forget your age!
£107
Graham
The very best of wishes for a good clean ride
£103.60
Simon Pope
£80.56
Jack Holt
Absolutely epic mate. You've got this.
£80.56
Richard O'neill
I’m tired just thinking about this! Good luck and wishing you tailwinds all the way
£55.79
J & J
Good luck, we're rooting for you (and you might need it)!
£54.75
Sarah P
£54.75
Alice, Steve And Goldie X
Good luck Pops!
£54.75
S & K
Good luck
£54.75
Steve Bowerman
Epic challenge, Simon. You'll smash it. Keep well hydrated with the local produce! Steve
£54.75
Charlie, George & Rupert
Geddon Grandad!
£53.55
Welsh Popes
Good luck; you can do it! Love, D, J, M & C xxxx
£53.55
Sally Ballard
Simon this is so inspiring and what a great charity. Wishing you a comfy saddle and minimal chaffing! xx
£50
Martin Parry
Another one of your mad adventures with all that suffering for such a good cause, happy to support, enjoy the sufferfest!
£28
Steve C
Good luck and enjoy Si. Look forward to the updates. Enjoy the pain and more so the stunning French mountains.
£28
Bill & Diane Francis
Ride safe, enjoy the scenery and have fun.
£28
Malcolm And Paula Clark
£28
Mark Hughes
£28
Anonymous
£28
Rachel Mathis
Wow! What an amazing challenge. Best of luck x
£28
John Taylor
Good Luck & have an amazing experience - John T
£28
Dan Edwards
Good luck
£28
Charles Gabriel
Climb Every Mountain Search High and Low Follow Every Byway Til you find your Dream...... THE END.... Good Luck Si
£25
Yelena
Go smash it Simon, best of luck to you 🤩
£25
Laura Pearson
You are both awesome and a nutter! Keep pedalling. X
£25
Mick Brian
Good luck Si. Sing when you get to the top of every summit 👍👍
£25
Mark Van Der Lee
Unbelievable challenge to take on Simon, especially in this heat. Really hope it cools down for you and you smash it.
£23.55
Martin G
Good Luck Simon!
£22.80
Graham Yarnell
Rather you than me but good luck on the challenge
£22.80
Adam Mudford
You got this Si! Well done mate!
£22.80
Amanda Handley
Good luck Simon - you will be in your element on this ride!
£22.80
Bob Findlay
Good luck Simon! Hope you've got a puncture repair kit, and also don't need it :)
£22.56
Rita
Good luck!
£20
Chris Parsons
Good luck, Simon. Sorry I couldn’t make it tonight!
£20
San Mehta
All the best Simon for this fantastic cause
£20
Donna Lloyd
Go Simon! Great cause and I'm sure you will smash it!
£20
Kat Harman
Good Luck, Simon!
£20
Michael Foreman
Good luck on the ride
£20
Anonymous
£11.55
Margaret Smith
£11.55
Stuart Penman
Good luck mate!
£11.55
Christopher Smith
Hallo! Good luck, I hope it doesn't hurt too much. If you need a COFFEE, just shout from the mountain tops and I'll be there! You got this!
£11.55
Cat Carter
£11.55
Martin Edmond
Good luck Simon. Have a fab time, ride safe.
£11.55
Phoebe Rawlings
best of luck in your adventure - enjoy every second!
£11.55
Sarah Burman
Good luck Simon, you will smash this!
£11.31
Christina And Timothy Nash
Good luck!
£10
Guy Hooper
£10
Helen Koffi Young
£10
Matt P
£10
David Jenkins
Best of luck Simon. Plenty of ice baths!
£10
Al Carter
All the best Popey!
£10
Michael Hurst
Hope you feel joy as well as pain - good luck!
£6.18
Carol Carter
Well done Simon
£6.06
Dushyant Koul
Keep going, stay strong, and enjoy every moment you are doing something truly inspiring
£5
Ben Williams
Good Luck Simon - Thanks for a few weeks off, you’ll smash it mate 🙏🏻💪🏻
Just remember what your mother would have told you… 🤣