Keen cyclist Simon Pope from Derriford is undertaking a mammoth charity challenge this summer.
He’ll be cycling ‘Le Loop’, a charity challenge organised by the William Waites Memorial Trust, where amateur cyclists follow the exact route of Le Tour de France a week ahead of the professionals.
Unbelievably, it’s not the first time Simon is taking on this challenge, having first completed it back in 2012.
Simon, who is 51, said:
“I’m incredibly passionate about cycling and love to set myself a challenge! Doing the route of the tour was hard enough the first time round, so I can’t quite believe I’ve signed up to do it again, but I know it’ll be an amazing experience – and hopefully will raise lots of money for a great cause.”
This year’s challenge will see Simon cycle 3,500km (around 2,174 miles) in 21 stages. There are more than seven climbs of over 2,000m involved, including the Col de L’Iseran, the highest paved pass in the Alps at 2,764m.
Starting in Brussels on Saturday June 29, the challenge will finish 23 days later with a spectacular ride through Paris having cycled through much of France.
As an IT Manager at EDF Energy, Simon has been busy fitting in training around his day job and is currently completing regular 100-mile rides across Devon and Cornwall. An avid cycling fan for the last 9 years, Simon is also a member of Plymouth’s YOGi Cycling Club.
Simon is aiming to raise £3,000 from this challenge, and having paid all of the costs of the trip himself, any money raised will go directly to the William Waites Memorial Trust. The Trust aims to support some of the most disadvantaged children and young people, by enabling access to sports, art and educational programmes.
To support Simon’s fundraising efforts go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonP
