Entries open for the exciting cycling challenge, Le Loop – formerly the Tour de Force – on Wednesday November 1, 2017, at 9am.
The event allows amateur riders to cycle the same route of the official Tour de France a week ahead of the pros.
Amateur cyclists get to take on the entire gruelling ride themselves, or simply take on a couple of stages without the pressure of a race.
They can tackle the cols (mountain passes), cobbles and climbs seven days ahead of the pro peloton and a week later, watch the pros in action on those same stages.
This year, there are new Team Marie Loops to encourage women to participate in the unique event. See the 2018 route.
Le Loop offers the choice of 10 Loops, from two stages to all 21 stages of the tour. See The Loops.
Tips for choosing the Loops for you
Loops 1, 6 and 10 (short option) are ideal for relative newbies.
Team Marie Loops 4 or 5: Great for women looking for safety in numbers.
Loops 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10 (long option): For riders who love the big mountains and big days in the saddle.
Loops 2 & 8: For those who are nervous but up for something unique.
Le Loop for women
Le Loop organisers are keen to encourage more women to take part in the event. They have enlisted the help of a new Lead Cyclist, endurance cycling champion Emily Chappell.
Emily, who is the winner of the Transcontinental Race and Scotland’s Strathpuffer 24 hour MTB event, said: “What I’m going to enjoy most about my new role is the opportunity to make a difference; to be living, breathing, riding proof that events like this belong to women as much as to men.
A Team Marie Facebook Group has been set up so women riders can make friends, swap training tips, compare tan lines, arrange get-togethers and social rides and generally support each other towards their goal, whether it is completing the whole Grand Loop, riding a couple of spiky mountain stages, or spending a week on the bike in glorious scenery and good company.
The Team Marie Loop Options are particularly welcoming to those who’d like as much supportive female company as possible. See
Bike hire, including female specific models, are available thanks to the support of Trek UK.
Why Team Marie?
Le Loop is honouring the first female Tour de France rider, Marie Marving. In 1908, Marie was refused permission to cycle the Tour de France, so she did it anyway (on the same course, just slightly later) completing the whole tour in a year when only 36 of 114 men managed the same.
In 2018, 110 years later, Le Loop is encouraging as many women as possible to take on two or more stages of the Tour de France.
Le Loop charity
The event supports the William Wates Memorial Trust, helping the UK’s most disadvantaged young people to avoid a life of crime and violence and fulfil their potential.
Riders commit to fundraising a minimum target depending on which Loop they choose.
For the majority, this will be £1,200. To date, the Tour de Force/Le Loop has raised over £3 million. The goal is to raise £400,000 each year. Read more.
For more information contact: [email protected] or call: 0131 3000796 ext 2.