Le Loop - supporting the William Wates Memorial Trust
The Challenge of a Lifetime
This summer, I will be undertaking an extraordinary challenge by cycling all 21 stages of this year’s Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professional riders.
The Cause
I am participating as part of a group raising funds for the William Wates Memorial Trust (WWMT), an exceptional charity founded in memory of a young man who tragically lost his life during his gap year. His family has created a lasting legacy by supporting disadvantaged young people to keep away from crime and violence and to realise their potential. This is achieved by giving grants to charities that engage young people through the medium of sports, arts and education.
The Challenge
I previously completed three stages of ‘Le Loop’ in 2014 and again in 2024. However, riding the entire three-week route has long been a personal ambition and serves as a fitting way to celebrate my 50th birthday.
We will set off from Barcelona on 26 June, covering 3,333 km and 54,450 metres of ascent across France, before hopefully arriving in Paris on 19 July. The route is designed to break the pros, making it a formidable challenge for amateur cyclists. As French Tour de France legend Bernard Hinault once said:
‘An amateur should think long and hard before attempting one of these stages, 2 would probably necessitate a visit to a Doctor, 3 would require a psychiatrist – any more and you should be checking that person has written a will.’
Preparation and Support
Since September, I have been starting most days before 6am on the static bike, seizing every opportunity to train outdoors regardless of the British winter, enduring icy mishaps and rain-soaked rides. This commitment has an impact on home life and family, and I am deeply grateful for their support throughout this journey.
Fundraising
All fundraising is entirely separate from my participation costs, which I have personally funded. Any donation, no matter how small, would be genuinely appreciated and will help support young people who face challenges far greater than most of us ever will.
Merci.
My Updates
Spain- done!
Monday 29th Jun Have just completed the first 3 days of Le Loop. Stage 1 was a very stop start procession through the Barcelona traffic, but taking in the sites of the Mediterranean, the Sagrada Família and the Olympic Stadium. The proper cycling started on Stage 2 with a stunning route through Catalonia, sweltering with temperatures hitting 45 degrees on the climbs. 180k, 2000m ascent. Stage 3 today has seen us head up and into the mountains with 199km and 3900m climbing. We hit a biblical thunderstorm with hail and rain near Andora- serves us right for complaining about the heat! We have now made it to France and set off from Carcassonne tomorrow am for another lumpy stage, heading towards the Pyrenees proper. Legs intact, great camaraderie on the road and a wonderful le loop team looking after us. Thank you to everyone for your sponsorship which makes this a little easier! Share
1 week to go!
Saturday 20th Jun
Thank you to my Sponsors
£2.5k
Anonymous
£265
Martin Thorneycroft
Epic challenge - best of luck!
£265
Anonymous
£250
Bob Elliot
Best of luck. You’ll be fine once you get a few of those Columbian gels down you!
£212
Myles Gascoyne
Enjoy and stay rubber side down.
£212
Mark, Bella, Rose, Ivo & Hugo
Chapeau mon frere!!
£212
Tash, George, Rory, Henry & Gus
Utter madness… Bon courage Tobes, we’re proud of you! Xxx
£212
Roddy & Crystal Briant-evans
Here’s a little contribution to help you on your way. Best of luck for such a worthwhile cause
£212
Mick & Brenda
GOOD LUCK TOBY ENJOY FRANCE
£212
Juan Marti
Proud to be your friend. Ride on brother, ride on..!!
£159
Rosie
Good luck with an incredible challenge.
£150
Tiggy Corben
Best of luck Toby!!
£107
Team Das
£107
Steve & Rashmi Knowles
Wow what a challenge !! Best of luck. Enjoy the climbs…..and be careful on the descents. Great charity
£106
Martin Briant-evans
You never could resist a challenge! Good luck on this supreme effort on behalf of a very worthwhile charity. Mum & Dad. XXX
£106
Anna-louise Mackinnon
Good luck and have fun.
£106
Chris Seifert
Toby, what a phenomenal effort for such a fabulous cause. I’ll be following you all the way and will keep everything crossed. I know you can do it!
£106
Jon Kosy
All the best. Hope you really enjoy the fruits of your hard training
£106
Sean Peche
Chapeau Champ
£104.60
Peter Chapman
Good Work TBE!
£103.60
Alastair Foote
£103.60
Catherine Oldfield
Hope you’re packing some Compeed! Well done TBE. xx
£100
Henry Colaço
Best of luck mate - just don’t fall off again before the trip 😬
£100
Hugh Marriage
£100
Eugenia Toumbis
Good luck with an incredible challenge!
£100
Mark Ellis
Best of luck Toby, this donation is on behalf of Richard Ironside.
£100
Nigel Parsons
Great effort, but rather you than me.....Good luck
£54.75
Emma Parker
My admiration for what you are doing is huge, I take my hat off to you! Good Luck!
£54.75
Geoff Stranks
Good Luck
£54.75
Charlotte Pelling
Best of luck
£54.75
Kevin Camden-smith
£54.75
Jas
Good luck Mr TBE, you've worked so hard, got my fingers crossed for you! Great cause 🙏🏽
£54.75
Alexander Goodman
Good luck!
£53.32
Sarah Purssell
Take care. I might need you again!
£53.32
Diana Robinson
A terrific challenge, all the very best of luck and good weather
£53.32
Hannah Young
Good luck T! Phenomenal challenge! Xx
£53.32
Miles Hopkins
Wishing you all the best of luck for this Toby! Am sure you’ll smash it! Will keep an eye out on the TV during the actual Tour just in case you are still on the course when the leaders pass through…..! ;-)
£53.32
Toni Howe-davies
Good luck Tobes you crazy thing! Hope you stay on the bike! X
£53.32
Edward Gardner
£53.32
Oli Kingsbury
And I thought Nove Colli was a challenge. Best of British to you!
£53.32
Stu And E Morton
“F” that! 😂
£53.32
Toby Briant-evans
£52.12
Nick Latimer
Mad but amazing - and for a great cause - good luck toby!
£50
Tim Nedas
Best of luck Toby, an epic challenge
£50
Andy Lord
All the best with your epic challenge! From all of the Physiotherapy and Wellness team
£50
Henry Epsom
£50
Will Holloway
Exciting stuff! Godspeed! Hope to see you soon
£32.23
Lisa Arden
Good luck Toby x
£31.51
Margaret Newland
What a challenge - wishing you good weather and strong hips !!
£28
Alice Barden
Good Luck, I'm sure you'll smash it! xxx
£28
Sue Turner
£28
Angus Gregory
£28
Bev Layhe
Great challenge - good luck
£27.40
Jack Parker
£27.05
Debbie Edwards
Good luck, go careful!
£27.05
Charles Ekins
Great effort - hope it’s fun too!
£27.05
Anthony Mears
Good luck
£27.05
Anonymous
The best of luck Toby ans stay safe.
£27.05
Derek Finnis
Stay safe and good luck
£25
Lucy Briant-evans
Daddy I'm really proud of you good luck your gonna smash it
£25
David Cope
Great job Toby - Hope the hips & knees are up to it
£25
Michael Clarke
Good luck Toby. I’m sure you’ll smash it.
£25
Jitendra Jobanputra
What a brilliant cause! Enjoy the rides Wish you all the best Jitendra & Chhaya
£22.80
Jana Mckean
£22.32
Rosie And James Cullinan
Wow, good luck to you Toby, rather you than me!! Wishing you favourable winds and good padding! xx
£21.84
Zoe And Tom Briant-evans
Quite mad Toby, but also quite great! Best of luck with the challenge, it sounds like a really great cause. We'd like to see lots of pics of you in Lycra!!
£20
Terri Chivers
Good Luck!
£16.56
Jennie Slimmon
You are a star and will do it in spades!!
£11.55
Anonymous
All the best Toby! Be safe! What an amazing cause, well done!
£11.55
Sam Chambers
The best of luck!! (I look forward to hearing about the different stages from Lynn at work)
£11.55
Brevin Beeson
You got this!
£10
Kat And Chris
Good luck, hope you get to enjoy some of the scenery too
£6.11
Anonymous
£5.99
