Lots of you have been leaving lovely messages of support for Owain over on Radio 2’s Instagram...

You can send a message right here too, by clicking the Get In Touch button at the top of this page.

Here are a few of our favourites so far:

Earlier today, Owain managed to squeeze in a quick drum set before setting off on his second day...

Before he started presenting on Radio 2, Owain was a drumming weatherman extraordinare - he even raised over £2.5m for Children in Need, external by drumming for an epic 24 hours!

Watch the moment that Owain's young nephew, Joey, surprises Owain with a heartwarming message:

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…

• After kicking off the challenge yesterday, Owain set off on his second day of cycling from Larne in Northern Ireland, headed for Belfast. At 103.2 miles it’ll be the longest day of the challenge!
• Owain passed the 100 mile mark of the challenge just after 10am this morning. Only 300 miles to go...
• The new total money raised for Children in Need is £196,401! Owain was over the moon.
• And Owain's favourite group Steps joined the Radio 2 family with a special surprise song, '5, 6, 7, Donate' - watch them perform the song.

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 Jeremy Vine's show between now and 2:00pm.

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.

The British pop icons, featuring Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans and Ian ‘H’ Watkins formed in 1997.

‘5, 6, 7, 8’ - now given a new lease of life as ’5, 6, 7, Donate’ for Owain’s challenge - was their breakthrough hit, peaking at No.14 and spending 14 weeks in the UK Top 40 between November 1997 and February 1998.

The group established themselves as chart regulars in the late 90s/early 00s through their high-energy dance-pop anthems, synchronized line dancing, and chart-topping covers.

Other hits include ‘Heartbeat’, ‘One For Sorrow’, ‘Stomp’, Bee Gees cover ‘Tragedy’ and Diana Ross cover ‘Chain Reaction.’

The group split in 2001 at the height of their popularity, before reuniting in 2011, initially for a documentary series. Their 25th anniversary greatest hits release ‘Platinum Collection’ topped the UK album chart in 2022.

Owain Wyn Evans
BBC Radio 2’s 4 Nations Cycling Superstar

Steps have long been one of Owain’s favourite groups. He had their posters on his wall as a kid and is now best friends with H! So what did he think of 5, 6, 7, Donate?

That was just incredible. I was smiling from ear to ear. My knee was better for three and a half minutes and I was just laughing. That was so brilliant. Thank you!

Hot on the heels of that fantastic new total, Vernon Kay has surprised Owain with the premiere of Steps' brand new version their debut hit ‘5, 6, 7, 8’.

Re-titled ‘5, 6, 7, Donate’, with new lyrics, plus extra vocals from the Radio 2 family, it’s been recorded especially to help boost Owain’s spirits on the longest day of his challenge.

Welcome to your new earworm!

A new total has been announced for Owain’s 4 Nations Cycle Challenge for BBC Children in Need, and it is...

£196,401!

Vernon Kay just announced the latest total live on air on Radio 2.

"That's amazing, that's incredible!" Owain said, reacting to the news. "Thank you everyone!"

A big thank you from us to everyone that has donated so far! Keep going, Owain, it's for a good cause!

It's all systems go for our Owain on his epic Children in Need Cycle Challenge.

He's left the pit stop now, but here are some of the latest photos from his journey:

Fearne Cotton
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

Owain, what you're doing for Children in Need is simply amazing. We are all so proud of you. And, of course, you are going to be so brilliant. For me, no workout is complete without this absolute banger from The Temper Trap. It's Sweet Disposition.

Watch Owain celebrate with Pudsey as he crossed the 100-mile mark earlier this morning:

Owain Wyn Evans
BBC Radio 2’s 4 Nations Cycling Superstar

A surprise knock at the door this morning! Neil Keery from BAFTA-winning BBC One drama Blue Lights turned up at Owain’s caravan live on Vernon Kay’s show, jokingly accusing him of breaking the speed limit on Northern Irish roads...

Oh my gosh, no way! I’ve been arrested by Neil from Blue Lights! Not only have I been arrested, but I’ve also been told that it remains hilly today.

Belfast actor Neil Keery has just surprised Owain at his pit stop.

Neil is best known as the brilliantly deadpan Sergeant Laurence McCloskey in BBC One’s Blue Lights. His dry one-liners have made him a firm fan favourite. Neil also teaches dance-fitness in his spare time, so we’re hoping for some quips and a quick routine to lift Owain’s spirits.

• Watch Blue Lights on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Owain Wyn Evans
BBC Radio 2’s 4 Nations Cycling Superstar

After a relentless morning of hills, Owain has admitted to Vernon Kay that the challenge is pushing him further than he expected...

It’s got to be hard. It’s got to be something that gets you out of your comfort zone. And this is getting me more out of my comfort zone than I realised it would. I’ve been on that bike every day for what feels like months just to try and get ready for this. But you can only prepare so much, right?

Watch as the students cheer on Owain from outside Tildarg School in Ballyclare:

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.

Owain Wyn Evans
BBC Radio 2’s 4 Nations Cycling Superstar

I'm being fairly careful. I had three vegan sausage rolls. I've had three jam doughnuts. I've been told, basically, I've can eat pretty much what I want!

Owain has reached his first pit-stop of day two at The Ramble Inn in County Antrim.

Owain is making his way around Lough Neagh and will (hopefully!) end up in Belfast this evening to catch an overnight ferry to Birkenhead.

Owain Wyn Evans
BBC Radio 2’s 4 Nations Cycling Superstar

After such a high on day one, Owain has been honest with Vernon about how his knee is holding up..

Yesterday I was on such a high. The weather was brilliant and everything was perfect. And then I’ve got a bad knee today, which isn’t great when you’re cycling! I’m just not used to doing so much cycling. Yesterday the adrenaline kept me going, hearing everyone’s messages and the support.