Listener Nick and four month old baby, Cameron, have gone outside their house to cheer Owain on as he cycles past...

"You’re doing great, It’s not one of your big climbs but it is a fair climb so good for you pal... He’s grinning from ear to ear and he’s doing great!"

How can you “dig deep” for those around you? On today's Pause For Thought, Matt Finch reflects on Owain's mammoth cycling challenge, and what it means to dig deep.

“This week, Owain is cycling 400 miles for the BBC Children in Need. His tool is a bicycle, not earth-moving equipment. He'll be digging deep with every turn of the pedals, tackling mountains and pushing himself to the limit, raising money for children who need care, compassion and support. An extraordinary challenge - not sure I could do it."

He adds: “I wonder what might happen if I offer what I have, not worrying how big my contribution looks, but simply getting stuck in.”

Take a look at some more photos of Owain getting his challenge underway from Glasgow this morning...

Owain kicked off his 400-mile challenge with a “Bore da” from BBC Radio Wales

There were warm wishes from BBC Radio Wales Breakfast presenters Dot Davies and James Williams as Owain checked in from Glasgow at the start of his 400-mile challenge for BBC Children in Need.

Already on the road, Owain said the welcome from people along the route was giving him a boost.

“We’ve just kicked off,” he said. “I’m just in the centre of Glasgow and already it’s been so lovely, the support - people waving, beeping their horns.”

But, despite the cheerful send-off, he was under no illusions about the journey ahead.

“It’s going to be a long old journey. It’s going to be tough. That’s why it’s a challenge.”

Heading towards the west coast of Scotland today, Owain has a ferry to catch.

“If we miss that, we will be a little bit stuck, so the pressure is on.”

Dot and James reflected on the many Radio 2 presenters who have previously taken on major fundraising challenges for Children In Need including Paddy, Vernon and Sara. Owain paid tribute to his colleagues and the money they have raised for Children in Need.

But Owain is taking on the longest distance ever travelled in a Children In Need challenge. And beyond the mileage and fundraising, the conversation revealed a more personal reason why this journey matters.

Owain spoke candidly about how being picked last in PE as a child had shaped his feelings about sport long after leaving school.

“I was always the one picked last in PE, and that’s given me a very weird relationship with sport and exercise growing up.”

Taking on this challenge has helped him change that relationship.

“As a 42-year-old, I’m finally alright with exercise again, and it’s thanks to this challenge that I’m in that place now.”

As Dot and James wished him well, their parting encouragement said it simply: “All power to you!”

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris - We Found Love

Tough, isn't it? But you're going to do it. You're going to be brilliant. Be strong. Keep pushing. And this is a tune that will definitely help you get up those hills. Go for it, buddy.

A special Pudsey backpack is accompanying Owain throughout the next five days, as he aims to deliver him all the way to the finish line in Cardiff.

It’s the very same backpack that Sara Cox carried on her Great Northern Marathon Challenge last year, and she has now passed it on to Owain. It can be worn on his back or on his front!

Owain will be hoping Pudsey is as good a travelling companion for him as he was for Sara, who joked that she “looked like a weirdo” practising with him in her local park beforehand, but very much appreciated its moral support over the course of her trek.

Pudsey has Owain’s back the whole way through!

Glasgow's line dancing queen, Maggie, and her line dancers from Maggie's Rockin' Rodeo waved off Owain with a boogie!

"We're having a little dance to get him warmed up and get him set off," she said.

"He's already gone past with Pudsey on his back as well. He looks fresh and fit, he was smiling at us. The weather is perfect in Glasgow, so we're hoping that stays good for him for the route as well."

"What an achievement to do this - it's fabulous. It's a long five days ahead of him, but I know he can do it. We're wishing him all the best from Glasgow!"

Owain's 4 Nations Cycle Challenge for Children in Need is now 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

As a former weather presenter, Owain will no doubt be taking a particular interest in the conditions that await him each day.

Here's how it's looking in Glasgow for Day 1 of Owain's challenge:

Image source, BBC Weather

A bit of mist, but could been worse!

As Owain said earlier:

"Glasgow is looking gorgeous this morning and honestly we couldn't have hoped for better weather to kick off the challenge."

Listener George from Manchester says:

"Owain whilst you're on your challenge push through the pain remain dedicated and determined. Enjoy the experience! You are the Welsh dragon-hearted citizen who will conquer this challenge."

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 Need

Owain's been feeling tres chic and, before setting off, was ready to start after hearing the advice from Sara this morning, as well as from Susan and Shania Twain.

"I'm ready to start now... It's just all been amazing!"

After a drum roll from members of Glasgow's Samba Ya Bamba Band and a toot of the horn, Owain got sent on his way!

Susan Calman
Scottish comedian and presenter

Scottish comedian Susan Calman provided this epic message for Owain on Radio 2's Breakfast Show...

We're here. It's Day 1 of your monumental challenge. We're in Glasgow, you're gonna be travelling the rural roads of Northern Ireland. You're gonna travel the border across from England and Wales - relentless climbs, 400 miles.

Now this is the thing - ignore everyone else, Owain. We're all with you. You've got strength, you've got courage, and you've got so much love. Everyone - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales - we're all supporting you.

And every time we've talked already off mic - when you think you can't pedal any more, my darling, you CAN! We're all with you, sending you so much love, I'll follow you every pedal of the way, you're one of the biggest hearted men I've ever met, and everyone's gonna get behind you, ok? You're amazing.

As soon as you come down to Pacific Quay, everybody, every single person is just behind you all the way my darling. You're gonna do it darling!

Enough of the crying - I need you to do this for me Owain! Enough of the emotion - get those lovely big legs going, you Welsh wonder!

To the sound of drums, Owain has just set off from the BBC’s Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow, Scotland.

His target today - to reach Cairnryan, on the South-West coast of Scotland, in time to catch a ferry to Northern Ireland for tomorrow’s leg of his 4 Nations Cycle Challenge.

In the words of one Shania Twain, "let's go Owain!"

Not long to go now until Owain’s 4 Nations Cycle Challenge begins - a reminder he’ll be cycling nearly 400 miles over the course of the week - the longest distance of any Radio 2 fundraising challenge..

Remember, you can listen along live to Radio 2 by clicking or tapping the audio icon 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 listen via the BBC Sounds app - if you've not downloaded it, here's some help in getting started!

Pob lwc Owain!

Shania Twain
Canadian singer and pop superstar

And the pop icon sent in a special message for Owain...

Hi Owain, you're about to to take on an incredible challenge for Children In Need - cycling 400 miles through all four nations. I heard you've named your bike "Shania Chain"! As you set off in Glasgow I just want to say: Let's Go Owain! We'll be cheering you on all the way. Good luck!

Owain asked listeners to his Radio 2 show (Mon - Fri, 4-6:30am) to suggest names for the bike he’ll be riding during his challenge.

He had some brilliant pun-tastic suggestions, such as Onya Bike which he cited as one of his personal favourites, before whittling it down to a top three.

In a very respectable third place was Britney Gears. So near, yet so far, in the runner-up spot was Kylie Spinogue. But the winner, as suggested by listener Dave, and now officially the name of Owain’s bike, is:

Shania Chain

Clearly that did impress Owain much.

“400 miles starts now!”

Owain described his thoughts as being “put into a blender” as he spoke to Sara Cox at the starting line in Glasgow, preparing to begin his 400-mile challenge.

“Oh my gosh, it’s like all of the thoughts I’ve ever had have been put into a blender and they’re just going round and round,” he told Sara. “400 miles starts now!”

Sara reminded Owain of the scale of the challenge ahead: the farthest route any of the Radio 2 presenters have faced, taking in five days, four nations and three killer climbs.

Before setting off, she had a warning of her own for Owain about life in front of the cameras:

“They do film everything, I will warn you!”

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

I want to wish Owain oodles of love and luck for his 4 Nations Cycle Challenge for BBC Children in Need.

It’s a once in a lifetime experience that I know he’ll remember and cherish forever. It meant the world to me that millions of our brilliant Radio 2 listeners were supporting me last year and I know they’ll all be rooting for Owain as he pushes up every hill and pedals mile after gruelling mile for BBC Children in Need.

Owain is preparing to start his journey from Glasgow's BBC Pacific Quay this morning. Owain looks in good spirits stood at the edge of the river Clyde as he readies himself for his epic journey!