Paddy McGuinness has a huge task on his hands this week as he’s taking on a brutal 300-mile cycling challenge for Children in Need 2024.
The comedian, television and radio presenter is cycling through three countries on a modified Raleigh Chopper bike, popular with children in the 1970s.
His bicycle choice is making the challenge even harder as the Chopper models have just three gears and aren’t exactly built to be ridden for 300-mile journeys.
The former Phoenix Nights star’s ultra-endurance cycling challenge is three times as long as his BBC Radio 2 colleague Vernon Kay’s ultra ultramarathon last year.
McGuinness, 51, hopes to exceed the £6 million Kay raised for the BBC’s annual children’s charity appeal.
Prior to setting off on Monday, he trained with six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, who shared his shock terminal cancer diagnosis last month.
McGuinness told the BBC: “Chris Hoy has been absolutely, as you can imagine with someone like him, outstanding, first class, brilliant with his advice.
"When I go on a bike ride with Chris, I really know about it, because he pushes me to my absolute limits.”
McGuinness has packed padded shorts and plenty of anti-chafing cream to help him get through the rigours of the challenge.
He added: “’No likey, no bikey’ just isn’t an option. As a kid, I didn’t have much and used to be really jealous of my mates riding around on those [Chopper] bikes, so I’m really honoured to support BBC Children in Need by getting peddling to raise as much money as possible for the charity.
“After seeing Vernon’s incredible efforts last year... no pressure then.”
Here’s everything we know about the mammoth challenge.
When is Paddy McGuinness’s cycling challenge for Children in Need?
McGuinness set off from Wrexham, Wales, at 8.15am on Monday and will aim to arrive in Glasgow, Scotland, on Friday morning.
He’ll then have a few hours to recover before the televised Children in Need appeal broadcasts on BBC One that evening.
What route is he taking?
The 300-mile route crosses through eight counties: Flintshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Preston, Westmorland, Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire.
Is he stopping on the way?
Yes. McGuinness is eager to meet as many locals as possible as they cheer him on and he’s also calling in to Radio 2 to share regular updates on how he’s progressing.
Plenty of celebrity guests are greeting him along the way and helping to cheer him on too.
How can I watch it?
Registrations to watch McGuinness along the route have now closed, but you can track his progress by visiting the official ‘Paddy Tracker’ on the Children in Need site here.
Updates are being broadcast live on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. BBC Radio 2’s social media accounts are also sharing plenty of pictures and videos from the challenge.
How can I donate?
Visit the official website here to donate.
To donate £10, text TEN to 70710. To donate £20, text TWENTY to 70710. To donate £30, text THIRTY to 70710.
Texts cost your donation and one standard network message charge, with all donations going straight to BBC Children in Need. You must be aged 16 and over to use this option.
