1 week Ago
Earlier today, Bolton's Paddy McGuinness, set off from Preston’s Moor Park on Day 2 of Radio 2’s Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge for BBC Children in Need. The presenter is attempting to cycle almost 300 miles from Wrexham AFC to Glasgow on a Raleigh Chopper, and people have been lining the streets along the way. Today was his longest day in the saddle, with him having to ride an epic 68 miles.
His route started from Moor Park in Preston, onto Blackpool Promenade, through Lancashire, crossing the River Wyre, passing Lancaster Castle, into Cumbria to Barrows Green with a hill climb of 200 feet into the Lake District and finishing Day 2 when he reached Kendal. Highlights today included cycling with other Chopper enthusiasts along Blackpool Promenade, his former sensei Tom speaking to him during Scott Mills’ show and Paddy talked about the importance of discipline that he learned at Tom’s karate club in the ‘90s (revealing Paddy was a black belt). Cherry Healy, who on the TV show they both present - Inside The Factory - made him what he has subsequently described many times as the best lasagne he’s ever eaten.
She travelled to Kendal to deliver to Paddy a lasagne she had specially made to give to him as he reached the finish line As he arrived in Kendal and the finish of Day 2, he spoke to Jo Whiley on Radio 2. On being presented with the lasagne Paddy said, “Yeeees, I’ve got a lasagne! Oh Cherry thank you very much..
. I’ve come through the town, they’ve had a big drum parade on, where we’re stood now there’s people all around. It’s amazing how much positivity there is around here, it is awe-inspiring.
“When I got to Kendal, oh they love a hill round here, it’s very very hilly, but we’ve got here now and it’s the longest day, and the people coming out supporting me from the first thing this morning to now, it’s the night-time, it’s dark, honestly we are surrounded by 100s and 100s of people. I’ll never forget these moments. I feel so lucky, I feel really privileged to experience this.
“Do you know, when you come to places like this at the end of the day and everyone’s out you can’t feel the aches and pains. I’ll feel that tonight when I’m looking in the mirror crying, but while I’m here it’s amazing. “You want to stop and thank every person, but you’ve got to keep plodding on.
.. I feel amazing.
.. people, the energy they bring.
.. there’s hardly any section of road since I started in Wrexham where people aren’t out cheering me on.
It’s mind-blowing.” Jo revealed to Paddy that the total amount raised so far is £738,141..
