We'll be back with the latest on Owain's challenge from early tomorrow morning
Owain Wyn Evans has completed Day 2 of his 4 Nations Cycle Challenge, pedalling over 100 miles from Larne to Belfast in Northern Ireland
Along the way he was surprised by Neil Keery from Blue Lights, his best friend Chris and a special song from Steps
So far he's helped raise nearly £350k for Children in Need
Find out how to support Owain with a donation
Owain Wyn Evans
BBC Radio 2’s 4 Nations Cycling Superstar
Has Owain tempted fate by talking positively about the weather?
I’m so glad the sun is shining and the weather is on our side... Hey, I’m from Wales... I used to be a weather forecaster... I’m prepared for all eventualities, weather wise.
"Let's go Owain... I love it!"
Owain receives a special message from a global popstar
Owain spoke to Vernon Kay from Kilmarnock at the first pit-stop, where he said "a massive dog has just walked in with hair like Claudia Winkleman!"
Do you see a similarity in their fringes? Either way, a big thanks to Mishka the dog for coming out in support!
Owain Wyn Evans
BBC Radio 2’s 4 Nations Cycling Superstar
Owain has reached the first pit stop in Kilmarnock, where he is refuelling with a coffee, chocolate brownies and some English Breakfast muffins. During the next leg, Owain heads down west coast of Scotland looking to right with the ocean and to the left with beautiful rolling hills...
I’m feeling really good…. First leg has been tough because it’s been quite hilly out of Glasgow actually surprising… the support has been amazing and at times overwhelming with people out waving and beeping their horns.
Vernon Kay
BBC Radio 2 Presenter
Vernon will be meeting Owain at the challenge finish line in Cardiff on Friday. Here, he recalls his experience during his Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge for Children in Need three years ago...
I'm really excited for you. Because I know after the full week, it will have been pure hell. It really will have been awful. But I hope you'll have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many people.
I get really emotional because I met some heroic people who I don't deserve to breathe the air that they breathed. It'll get you and it'll get you for the rest of your life. But it really is inspiring. It's one of those things that you do that never leaves you and you think, there are good people out there.
Watch the video below.
Radio 2's Ultra Ultramarathon Man shares his experiences of a Children in Need challenge.
Listener Amanda from Royal Walton Basset has got a great message for Owain...
"Wishing Owain legs of steel and lungs like bellows for his incredible challenge."
Owain's first checkpoint? Ticked off!
He has reached his first pit-stop at The Weston Tavern in Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock.
Sir Chris Hoy
Olympic Cycling Legend
When it gets tough you just need to think ‘one pedal rev at a time’.
And you’ve got to have a purpose. No matter what you’re doing, I think we all have a purpose, that’s what gets us through.
I didn’t love the pain on the bike, but I loved the feeling of getting through the day and knowing there was nothing more I could have done’. And I had taken a small step towards that end goal’.
Yes!
You can follow Owain's every move with our special tracker which will chart his progress throughout his 4 Nations Cycle Challenge - available now on the BBC Children in Need website, external.
Image source, BBC / Children In NeedSir Chris Hoy
Olympic Cycling Legend
I did a little section of the challenge with Paddy McGuinness a couple of years ago. What got him through it was the energy he was taking from the crowd. People would just jump out with big banners cheering us on. You have to use that energy, that’s what gets you through.
And the Ayshire scenery will be stunning. As long as he can just keep those legs turning then he’ll do it.
"Here we go Owain Wyn Evans - take it away!"
Owain Wyn Evans at the starting line of his journey.
Owain's 4 Nations Cycle Challenge for Children in Need is underway.
If you'd like to support Owain with a text or online donation, you can find all the details below or at bbc.co.uk/owain
Jenny Holl
Scottish cyclist and Paralympian
Jenny Hall, a 2x Paralympic champion with 6 Paralympic medals with the Great Britain cycling team, has sent all her love and best wishes to Owain as he takes on the first leg of his epic challenge in Scotland today, along with some advice.
I just wanted to send all our love and best wishes to Owain as he takes on the first leg of his epic challenge in Scotland today. I know he’s not a seasoned cyclist, so my best advice is to pace yourself on the climbs and make the most of the downhills when they come.
Don’t forget all the good you’re doing for Children in Need, and inspiring people to get on their bikes. That can add a huge amount of power! From everyone here at British Cycling, Owain, we know you’re going to do amazing!
The Radio 2 family have put together a special Pace Setter mix to inspire Owain on his epic cycle ride across the four nations.
The two hour mix features uplifitng songs from Whitney Houston, Manic Street Preachers, Rihanna, Duran Duran and more music icons - including Scottish stars Lewis Capaldi and Annie Lennox - as chosen by Radio 2 presenters such as Sara Cox, Jo Whiley, Trevor Nelson and Paddy McGuinness.
You can hear this special edition of Pace Setter by clicking on the play button below:
Cheer on Owain Wyn Evans with the Radio 2 family for his big Children in Need challenge!
Owain's left the outskirts of Glasgow and reached the "amazing rolling countryside" where he's reached new terrain as the road's a "bit more bumpy" than he is used too.
Having just passed Thornley Bank Primary school where pupils were all out waving and cheering and holding little banners which was "so nice!"
"This is what is gonna get me though it."
If you’re just joining our live coverage of Owain’s 4 Nations Cycle Challenge for BBC Children in Need, here’s what’s been going on…
Stay tuned for regular updates, photos and videos as Owain continues his epic journey!
Keep listening to BBC Radio 2 to hear more from Owain during Vernon Kay's show between now and 12:00pm.
You can listen along live on Radio 2 by clicking or tapping the 'Listen Live' button at the top of the page. Or ask your smart speaker to play BBC Radio 2 - get more help with using smart speakers here.
You can also take Owain with you via the BBC Sounds app if you're on the move - if you've not downloaded it, here's some help in getting started.
Owain will be pedalling nearly 400 miles over the course of the challenge. This figure is the greatest distance ever covered in a Radio 2 fundraising challenge.
To put that into context:
Quite the feat!
Day 1 of Owain’s 4 Nations Cycle Challenge begins on the streets of Glasgow, as he aims to chalks off the first 84 of the 400 miles ahead of him.
Through Scotland's Central Lowlands, past Thornliebank and Newton Mearns, the weather is anyone's guess as he pushes on through Windy-Yett.
Ayr Beach flashes by, then the birthplace of Robert Burns, and there’ll be no respite as he pedals along the rugged west coast. The notorious Electric Brae will trick his eyes... it looks downhill, but it’s quite the opposite.
Cold sea air lashes Maiden's Beach as Turnberry Lighthouse leads him towards Girvan.
Then it's on through the shadow of Glenapp Castle, and into Cairnryan.
When the misty glare of Loch Ryan Lighthouse finally appears, it's not the light at the end of the tunnel... nor the finish line. He needs to board the ferry to Northern Ireland.
And it will leave - with or without Owain.
Remember - you can keep an eye on the special tracker, external to see Owain's route along the way!
If you missed any of these memorable moments, ask your smart speaker to play BBC Radio 2, then 'Ask BBC Sounds to rewind to' the times above. Get more help with using smart speakers here.
You can also catch up on The Sara Cox Breakfast Show via our Watch & Listen tab at the top of the page for the rest of today.
Next up on Radio 2... Vernon Kay.
After about 13 miles in, Owain has reached his first climb of the day at Windy-Yett, 208m above sea level!
Translated from Scots language, Yett means gate or mountain pass so Windy-Yett translates directly to 'Windy Gate'.
"If I saw that hill six weeks ago... I would have thought there's no way I'm getting up that... but on this journey, you know, you get up it!"
"The support has been amazing!" Owain says.
