Today (September 23), BBC Radio 2 has announced that Bolton-born presenter Paddy McGuinness will be taking on the ultimate endurance ride of his life by cycling through three nations, starting in Wales, travelling through England and finishing in Scotland. As announced on Vernon Kay’s Radio 2 show this morning, Paddy McGuinness will start his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge in aid of BBC Children in Need during the Breakfast Show on Monday 11 November and will pedal almost 300 miles, starting in Wrexham.
The route will take him through eight counties – Flintshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire – including a stop at Preston, where Radio 2 in the Park took place in Moor Park earlier this month – onto Westmorland, Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire, and he is aiming to finish at on Friday 15th November morning in Glasgow. But Paddy, who presents on Radio 2 each Sunday morning (11am-1pm) and has appeared on the likes of Phoenix Nights and Take Me Out, won’t be taking on this cycle challenge on just any bike… he will attempt to complete the route on an iconic, BBC Children in Need customised and modified, Raleigh Chopper bike.
As part of the cycle challenge, Paddy McGuinness will be passing through and stopping off at villages and towns along the way to meet as many Radio 2 listeners as possible as they cheer him on and help him to raise much needed funds for BBC Children in Need. He will also be joined on his arduous journey by a host of surprise guests to help keep him going.
Paddy McGuinness said: “I’ll be cycling from Wrexham to Glasgow. That’s 300 miles, eight counties and three nations. ‘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 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!”
Vernon Kay, who raised over £6 million last year for BBC Children in Need with his Ultra ULTRA Marathon, said: “I know exactly what Paddy will be going through so I and the rest of our Radio 2 buddies will be supporting him every pedal of the way, especially up all those hills – ouch!”
Paddy’s Ultra Endurance Cycle will be broadcast live on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, with video highlights and further coverage on Radio 2’s social media accounts. During the challenge, Radio 2 presenters will be broadcasting their regular shows whilst offering him lots of support, keeping him motivated and spurred on with messages from the listeners.