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 25th June 2025 around 100 riders will gather in Lille for the 'Grand Depart'. Some cycle a few days, some ride further. More will join over the following 3 weeks of the tour.
As part of my 60th birthday celebrations in 2025, myself and 3 friends, who are also reaching this grand old age!, have decided to take on the challenge of riding what's known as the "Mountains Week" in aid of a fantastic young persons charity.
The challenge involves cycling Stages 14-19 from 11th to 19th July 2025, covering 986kms and over 21,000 meters of climbing. The notable climbs include: Col de Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Superbagnéres, Pas Du Sant, Mount Ventoux, La Loze, Glandon, Madeleine, Col des Saises, Cornet de Roseland via Col du Pré and La Plagne.
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. Here's a link to a link to a video showing the great work the charity does:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A45BIl-p18
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 let alone the 6 stages I'm going to attempt to complete! Please reward my pain by giving a donation no matter how big or small.
Merci!
My Updates
More Training
Wednesday 16th Apr Just completed the second Le Loop training week away in what we hoped would be sunny Spain. However, the weather decided to give us some challenges 🌧️🌧️🌧️.💨💨💨…but it was still a good week. To put Le Loop in context, this week we completed 802kms and climbed 12083 mtrs…for Le Loop we will have to do another 185kms and 8917 mtrs climbing in 6 days😳🤪😂. More training required I believe! Share
A huge challenge……
Monday 24th MarThank you to my Sponsors
£100
Margaret Crabb
£100
Geraldine Treder
Good luck Stephen great cause 🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♀️
£100
Aidan & Karen Crowe
Wishing you the very best of luck Steve. Aidan & Karen
£100
Helen
Good luck, it’s for a great charity 😊
£54
Nigel Elliott
A serious challange for a worthy cause.
£54
Stephen Crowley
£54
Ian Hatt
If you fuck it up, the next curry is on you!
£50
Ant Hough
A great challenge for a worthy cause, chapeau.
£50
Mark Treder
Good Luck & enjoy the journey!
£50
Carmel & Nick
Good luck and stay safe 🚲
£27.05
David Alderton
Good luck dude🤘
£27.05
Stuart Cameron
£27
Joshua Coulling
£27
Ange Forster
Good luck
£27
Sandra Fitzgerald
Steve, best of luck as you take on this challenge.
£27
Jason Gay
£27
Samantha Halsey
Good luck Steve! All the Best Sam & Mark
£27
Anonymous
Good luck have a great time
£25
Mark Griffiths
Buenas suerte disfruta tu bici viaje mi amigo
£25
Amanda Coles
£25
Ian Treder
Good luck Steve! All the best ian & Sarah
£25
Paul Stearn
£25
Julian Hough
Hope you smash it. I expect your average speed to be close to Pog
£21.60
Bernadette Nicholls
Good luck
£21.60
Mike Nash
Good luck Stephen a BIG challenge and a great charity 👍
£21.60
Darryl & Family
Good luck Steve! I look forward to hearing all about it.
£21.60
Joe Bayfield
Good luck mate you will smash it
£21.60
Steven Forster
Good luck mate
£20
Yvonne And Neil Jeacock
Best of luck Steve, what a fantastic cause this is
£20
Peter & Debby Hatt
Good Luck mate
£16.56
Ranjit Bahra
£15
Jonathan Crabb
Good luck Steve. Remember, for every hill you go up, there’ll be a freewheel down!
£11.33
Max Forster
£11.33
Ellie Forster
Good luck Stephen!!
£11.33
Alison Spinks
Good luck with your challenge!
£11.33
Melanie Westmoreland
Good luck & enjoy
£10.91
Finley Crabb
Good luck
£10.90
Daniel Crabb
Haha i donated more than Niamh
£10.80
Niamh Crabb
Good luck!!
£10.80
Richard Berry
Good luck
£10
Jo
Good Luck!! Hope it all goes well.
£10
Emma
Goodluck!
£10
Abi Nicholls
Good luck Stephen!
£5.40
Nick Austin
£5.40
Best of luck Steve - you can do it! Great charity.