Welcome to Le Tour 2022!
We’ll be posting here daily during the 2022 Tour, with photos and updates from the route. You can also follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
Stage 21. Paris!
21 stages of the Tour de France with a fantastic group of riders and superb team of staff.
Together we’ve raised over £410,000 and rising for the brilliant William Wates Memorial Trust thanks to all the wonderful supporters and donors. Thank you – you’re the best!
Congratulations to each and every one of you.
And now we’ll party … for tomorrow we shall sleep!
Stage 19. Castelnau-Magnoac to Cahors. 189km.
With our numbers much reduced by the departure of so many riders at the end of yesterday’s stage, we’re now a smaller band of sisters and brothers for the final 3 stages into Paris. Only those riding the Grand Loop and the Second Half Loop are still riding. While we were out of the mountains once more for a flat stage lined by the quintessential sunflower fields, the heat and distance were still going to work their ‘magic’. No stage is easy on Le Tour! Then again, our finish hotel has a pool – pure luxury after a day riding in the heat.
We were delighted to be visited by alumnus Looper Nick Nelson-Piercy who put in a guest appearance. And it’s great to have Dr Fi back with us for the final stages into Paris.
Stage 18. Lourdes to Hautacam. 143km.
Not much further than stage 17, but if we thought 3,300m of ascent was a lot, today we have 3,900m! This was the final stage for all those who signed up to ride the Mountains Week Loop and the Pyrenees Loop. There needed to be nothing left in the tank by the end of this stage, but this was simply survival for most. Le Tour often give us ‘the triple’ – and here we had today the satisfying Col du Soulor followed by Tour newcomer Col de Spandelles and finally Hautacam.
Much hilarity was caused by the over-friendly ponies who simply LOVED the idea of a Le Loop feedstop!
There was a deep sense of satisfaction at the top where grimacing faces turned into huge grins at the realisation that they’d ‘done it’! Bravo everyone – it’s been a hell of a ride!
Stage 17. St Gaudens to Peyragudes. 130km
The heat continued to be an issue today as we crawled up 3,300m of ascent on what is a short ride for Le Tour – meaning every climb packed its punch! The Col d’Aspin followed by Hourquette d’Ancizan – all very familiar territory for the tour. Then the final tough climb up the vertiginous Col de Val Louron-Azet. Where we found shade, we rested (even snoozed!). We dodged the beautiful white cows of the region who pepper the hillsides and the roads making descents a potentially more hazardous affair (in not for their bodies, then their cow pats!). Where there was water, we either drank it, or doused ourselves in it – anything to counter the extreme heat knocking 40 degrees once more.
Stage 16. Cascassonne to Foix. 179km (3150km ascent!)
Oh the HEAT! Vineyards, sunflowers and the mountains in the distance getting ever closer. There were several punchy climbs today, but all fade into (relative) insignificance in the face of today’s showstopper: the 18% Mur de Péguère (for the uninitiated – you have to stand all your weight on your pedals just to shift them around a half turn!) Brutal even on a cool day … which it certainly was not. The descent that followed into Foix was delicious, but I’ll say this again … the HEAT! It’s absolutely crippling. Just goes to show how the weather can massively impact any stage of this tour. This stage was always going to be tough, but we’re all feeling it today!
In the words of Grand Looper James Walton “How I got up here (Mur de Péguère) in this heat I will never know!”.
The other factor that comes into play is whether there’s a morning transfer or not. These are hard work for the support crew who have to load every single bike into our vans, along with all the feedstop clobber and gallons and gallons of water (no mean feat) – usually working very late into the night. But for our riders, it means a punishingly early start (5am alarms everyone) in order to load their luggage, get breakfast and pile onto coaches where they hopefully grab a bit of extra kip. All these factors add to the difficulty and challenge of a stage.
Tomorrow … yep … another early morning transfer. However, there’s a vicious rumour of a thermal spa (wait – does that mean more heat?) at the end of the stage for those who finish in time! If that’s not an incentive …
Stage 15. Rodez to Carcassonne. 200km
This isn’t getting any easier as we head further South into ever hotter temperatures. But it was a flat day by tour standards, and the Napoleonic avenues of trees created beautiful tunnels of shade to give us relied from the sun. Sleepy Sunday villages, cicadas screeching in the hedgerows. The heat is seriously taking its toll on us all and tomorrow’s rest day can’t come soon enough. The beautiful walled city of Carcassonne is absolutely delightful, but there’s a distinct chance that most of our riders will be committed to laundry, bike tinkering and not much else! A pool to cool off in and aircon will be the order of the day. And lo – 2 nights in the same hotel!? OMG! Luxury!
We’ll also be joined by a host of new riders joining us to ride 3 days in the Pyrenees. Fresh legs to chase!
Stage 14. St Etienne to Mende 195km
Another long long stage in searing heat and wind. But today the scenery was absolutely glorious and the riders arrived in raptures about the gorges, beautiful villages and rolling farmland.
Stage 13. Bourg d’Oisans to St Etienne 193km
We dropped out of the big mountains today for the first stage of our journey to the Pyrenees mountain range. Not part of the official route, but we started from our hotel by cycling back down the 21 hairpin bends to Bourg D’Oisans. From there is was a hot and windy stage where riding in groups would make all the difference to beat the headwind. It was one of those Tour transitions stages that just needs to get done. Hot, sweaty, windy. Head down – job done!
Stage 12. Briancon to Alpe d’Huez 166km
A day of no less than 3 epic climbs! First, we were treated once more to the Galibier, though from the opposite side this time, descending down past the Telegraphe. Then through searing heat we climbed the seriously tough Croix de Fer for a stunning lunch location on the col with stunning views and swooping vultures. A gloriously long descent followed, marred only by a short sharp climb that was made worthwhile by a water fountain in the village at the top for a refill of bidons.
More downhill finally brought us to the foot of the infamous 21 hairpin beds of Alpe d’Huez. With exhausted legs, we hit the climb – it was a question of simply getting your head down and getting the job done! The luxury hotel at the stage end was a fantastic reward for such an enormous day out on the bike
The Alps loopers leave us tonight having ridden 3 breathtaking (literally) stages on immense beauty. WHAT an adventure. As one rider put it in her social media post:
“Stages 10-12 of the TDF completed- can’t believe I’ve done it!!!!! The French Alps are a bit different to North Norfolk but all those loops up and down Beacon Hill must have helped 🤣 The best experience of my life with @rideleloop “
Thanks Ruth – that made us all VERY happy.
Stage 11. Albertville to Col du Granon. 149km
Oh wow!! Do cycling days get any better than this? (maybe tomorrow). The weather … the scenery … just mind blowing! For some it was a long day out in the heat, but to be able to say you’ve climbed the Galibier makes it all worth it (and that’s having already climbed the stunning ‘lacets’ and still to ride Glandon!). And to find the infamous Didier the Devil on the top!? Well … you just can’t beat that for the real Le Tour experience.
The camper vans are already grabbing the prime spots along the incredible Galibier climb and there’s a palpable sense of excitement in the air. And the best thing is … we get to do this all over again tomorrow – from the other side!
We’re in the seriously tough stages now – riders are digging deep. With a new influx of arrivals tonight for our ‘mountains week’ Loop, we’ll at our busiest few stages on tour. Living the Tour dream!!
Stage 10. Morzine to Megeve 148km
What a treat to start in cooler temperatures with a long descent to the first feed stop of the day. Lush green forested roads and lovely fresh tarmac – we were flying! With more rolling hills the heat started to build and by the afternoon we were cooking. But if views of the snow-capped Mont Blanc can’t bring you to your senses, nothing can! Today was fast riding in beautiful mountain scenery. Does it get any better? Well the next few stages are all in the high mountains so prepare yourselves for more stunning mountain scenery.
A lot of new riders arrived last night to ride the 3 Alpine stages, and a few more who will join us for the whole of the 2nd half. Welcome one and all! Your fresh legs and excitement have given us all a renewed energy.
We also met the utterly brilliant and inspiring Christian and Daley from the STAR Scheme and Chew Valley Rugby Club. Christian talked to the group about their work with great humour and even greater impact. Today we were able to encourage them both to ride the stage with us. Daley put in a truly superb effort in the heat, riding a stunning 78 km … not bad when the furthest he’s ridden a bike before is about 1 mile!! And Christian spent the day looking like a kid in a sweetie shop, riding all but the final (entirely unnecessary) ‘there and back’ above our hotel in Megeve.
Again, both Daley and Christian explained more about their work. Daley is a great testament to what is possible for a young person when they are given the support and just some of the advantages in life that most of us are lucky enough to take for granted. From humble and very challenging beginnings, he was faced with 2 paths he could choose from – one would undoubtedly lead him into crime (as it has for many of his childhood friends), the other would lead him to the opportunities to play rugby to a serious and competitive standard, get into college to study plumbing and to become a ‘poster boy’ for what STAR Scheme.
As Christian said
“What you are doing here, today, by riding your bikes and raising funds, is creating more Daleys in the world”.
We’d love you to learn more about Daley yourselves. This Video says it all …
Stage 9. Aigle to Chatel 183km
We’re ridiculously delighted to be riding in these breathtakingly beautiful mountains. And what a stunning area to end our ride today – have you ever had a massage with a view as gorgeous as this?
And massages really are the order of the day. We’re now 9 stages into this tour and we’re all just desperate for the 2nd rest day of the 2022 tour. We’ll spent it in Morzine, eating lots of mountain food, resting, cleaning bikes, eating food, washing clothes and … eating food!
Stage 8. Dole to Lausanne 184km
With the rain showers past us, today we had heat and mountains and sunflowers and Lac Leman and it felt like a holiday and it felt like the tour … all at the same time!
Stage 7. Tomblaine to Planche des Belles Filles 172km
“Today’s ride was the first summit finish stage… and what a finish it was. If you know cycling you will know that a gradient of 24% is pretty hard to cycle up! Add in some loose gravel and sand and 500m of this after a 6km climb and 181 kilometres in the bag. Without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Incredible to get to the top” – Chris Durdle (Grand Looper)
Stage 6. Binche to Longwy 220km
Our longest stage so far – not made any easy by some torrential downpours! It’s amazing how creative folk can get when looking for shelter, and just how many smiling, laughing cyclists you can fit under a Le Loop gazebo when the heaven’s open!
It was teamwork, camaraderie, a sense of humour and sheer grit that got everyone through today. Chapeau to each and every one of you. Bravo!
Our reward was an ‘all you can eat’ chinese buffet for dinner. Our meals (and accommodation) are nothing if not varied!
Tomorrow starts with yet another very early transfer bus to the start of our first official ‘mountain stage’. Look forward to beautiful scenery and a LOT of photos of the Super Planche des Belles Filles finish line!
Stage 5. Lille to Arenberg 155km
Today was all about the cobbles. But with the sun shining, the occasional patch of utterly dreamy-smooth Tourmac and great company, the day positively flew past!
With WW2 memorials along the route, the history of this region is never far from our minds. This, and our charity visitors yesterday, help to give us all a greater sense of perspective:
“After one section of cobbles, I pulled over once I hit the main highway. A true sense of humble confidence and well-being came over me. Today was an incredible experience” – Kelly Miller
We all know how privileged we are to be here, doing what we love in the sunshine.
We’ll need to hold onto that feeling … for tomorrow, the rain shall come!
Stage 4. Dunkerque to Calais 172km
In an unbelievable stroke of luck, the 10 hour bus transfer to Northern France yesterday (call that a rest day!) was in filthy torrential rain, but we arrived in Dunkerque to the most beautiful evening and another stunning sunshine day today! The Tour Gods must be looking down on us.
Today was a gorgeous ride. Hillier than you might expect, through some lovely rural farmland, small towns, moody skies but most gloriously, the Opal Coast with the white cliffs of Dover gleaming across the water. You can’t visit this area and see this coastline without thinking back on the horrors of WW2. Tomorrow is the notorious stage 5 – the cobbles stage, which has its own tragic WW1 history. War has ravaged this land in relatively recent history. How strange to be riding through it in a happy gang of fellow cyclists … but we shall never forget …
Last night we were joined by the brilliant young Ben and his mentor Ollie from Youth Adventure Trust who are one of our WWMT grant recipients. Ben is a credit to himself, and to the work of YAT. Today he climbed onto a road bike for the first time in his life and bashed out 100km with our riders! Chapeau Ben. We’re truly honoured to have you with us on tour. Ben and Ollie have shared their stories and we all have a far greater appreciation of just how huge an impact the funds we are raising can have on young lives. We’ll dig deep emotionally at times on this Tour, but we’re humbled by the genuine challenges these youngsters face on a daily basis. Today, the tour become about something far more than just us, our love of riding our bikes and the joy of a challenge.
The wonderful Team Alitex also joined us on tour today to ride 2 stages (our Tour de France Adventure Loop). Headed up by Tom Hall who brings a team from his company every other year, they did themselves proud today and it was just great to have them back with us again.
So tomorrow … the cobbles …
Stage 3. Vegle to Sønderborg 182km
For those who joined us for the ‘Grand Depart Loop’, today was their final day on tour. We can’t believe it’s all over so quickly! But what a great 3 days we’ve had. Beautiful quiet roads, unbelievable Danish cycle paths (we’re going to miss those!), stunning coastlines, pretty towns and villages and a huge sense of excitement about the pro tour coming through in a week’s time. The Danes have embraced Le Tour and gone to town on their decorations!
The wind finally put in a proper appearance today and for a flat stage, it’s surprisingly hilly. We were treated to a taste of stages to come when we hit the cobbles of gorgeous UNESCO heritage Christiansfeld, famous for beautifully preserved 18th century architecture. And as if that wasn’t enough, we were greeted by the iconic Dybbøl windmill as we finally spun into Sønderborg and our stage end.
So we bid a fond farewell to Denmark and our Grand Departers as we brace ourselves for the unenviable schlep to Northern France tomorrow. It’s not our preferred way to spend a rest day, but needs must. It’s all part of the adventure of riding Le Tour!
Stage 2. Roskilde to Nyborg 199km
Today we got down to business! A chance to ride in groups, soak up the scenery from farmland to coastlines, spin through pretty villages, marvel at the huge bridges in the distance, photograph the beautiful poppy fields and have some fun on our bikes. First proper night on tour and lots of riders are already into the discipline of rinsing out their kit every night. What beautiful calm waters at the end of the day. It feels GREAT to be back on tour! Vive Le Tour!
Stage 1. Copenhagen to Copenhagen 13km
A leisurely start to our adventure, but a chance to take in the beautiful sights of Copenhagen under a cloudless blue sky. This is what they mean by a cycling city! Obeying the rules of the road (unlike the pros) we stayed in orderly files and just enjoyed the spin with new friends as well as old TDF buddies. There may even have been the odd beer stop! What a glorious start to the 2022 Tour! Tomorrow, we get down to business …
23rd June 2022 – Eve of the Grand Depart
It’s the eve of the Tour. Lots of Loopers are already in Copenhagen, hooking up with old friends from previous tours, or new friends from all our regional whatsapp groups. Some have even been for a spin together! The sun is shining and we’re all raring to go!
Then tomorrow, around noon, we all gather in central Copenhagen ahead of the ‘time trial’ stage 1 (less of a time trial for us – more of a gentle sightseeing ride). Expect plenty of bike faff and nervous excitement.
One more sleep!
15th June 2022
We always love to post this brilliant short video before the tour each year. Of course all our riders know and are passionate about Le Tour, but their friends, family and donors – maybe not so much! So share this ‘Le Tour de France for Newbies’ video with them so that they understand what it is you’re undertaking!
And if you’re keen to ride Le Tour with Le Loop, but aren’t so up on the history of the event, this is a good view for you too!
Click on the image below and you’ll be taken directly to Youtube to view (they won’t let us host the video here).
