Local author from Kilgetty, Ceri Stone, has this week published his second book - ‘Le Loop - How to Cycle the Tour De France’ - which tells the incredible true story of Ceri’s journey tackling the world’s toughest bike race.
Ceri, who grew up in Begelly and was educated at Pentlepoir Primary and Greenhill School in Tenby, can be seen training regularly around the locality for this year’s version of the tour.
Le Loop is a charitable event where cyclists tackle the whole of the Tour de France one week before the pros. Sanctioned by ASO (the Tour organisers) up to 40 riders each year take on this mammoth challenge. It is believed that Ceri is the first Pembrokeshire man to cycle the whole of this legendary race.
Riders cover the exact same route as the professionals who follow a week later. They stay in many of the same hotels and have a superb back up service along the way. The big difference is that the roads are not closed and they ride a lot slower than Geraint Thomas and his teammates. Only a handful will successfully complete the entire challenge and cover every inch of the route over the course of 21 gruelling days.
In this book Ceri explains that he is an ordinary man but for once in his life he wanted to do something extraordinary. His dream was to cycle the Tour de France but as he hit middle-age he wasn’t a cyclist; he was out of shape and he didn’t own a bike. This didn’t stop him.
Armed with two wheels, a big ego and three tubs of chamois cream he devised a plan. By entering Le Loop he put a blueprint for success into action to prove that life, adventure and greatness is not a birth right, it is earned.
Along the way he deals with the vagaries of cycling for up to ten hours a day. He ascends over 55,000 metres, which is six times the height of Mount Everest, covers over 3,500 kms, deals with saddle sores, muscle fatigue, punctures and eats an endless supply of croissants. Part way through his tour Ceri is involved in a catastrophic crash which potentially derails his whole race.
This is an amazing true tale of adventure, travel and silly humour which needs to be read to be experienced and to see whether the author succeeds or merely becomes another footnote in the Tour’s grand history.
The book has already received some excellent feedback, particularly from previous participants in Le Loop and the organisers themselves.
This is not just a tale of one epic journey, this is an inspiring adventure in achievement and human endeavour.
Published by Pitch Publishing it is available from all major bookstores and outlets.
For more information please visit www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/le-loop.
Ceri is cycling Le Loop again in 2022, and this time he plans to complete the ride without incident and without saddle sores. You can head to: https://fundraising.wwmt.org/fundraisers/CeriStone/ride-le-loop for his sponsorship details.
