Northern Ireland offers no mercy, this is Larne to Belfast - but the LONG way round.

This is the longest distance anyone has ever faced on a Radio 2 challenge, with 100 miles-plus ahead for Owain.

He’ll be circling the mighty Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the UK and Ireland. The ascent is instant, hurtling Owain into the first of his Killer Climbs: the Tildarg.

Then the wilderness begins. Endless roads. Empty miles. Just the relentless grind of the pedals and the battle in his head.

The Devil's Elbow awaits... but the ferry won't. Owain must make the port before the foghorn sounds. And his reward? A restless bumpy night crossing the Irish sea!

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

As Owain kicked things off, he spoke about how the nerves are kicking in too...

I was feeling nervous and apprehensive, especially because of the dodgy knee, but having heard about that climb, I am more nervous now. I knew these killer climbs were coming, but just that it's so long, and the elevation is what it is, I'm just worried how this old knee is gonna be.

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

Sara Cox outlined the mission ahead for Owain...

We know the route. This day is long. You are doing 108 miles. You're going straight into your first killer climb. I didn't know a hill could be 25km long, but apparently it can - 25km of almost continual uphill cycling, with an overall 245m of elevation. Today is the longest cycling day of the entire challenge - it's gonna be a tough one today.

Owain has just set off from Larne ferry port on Day 2 of his mammoth five-day challenge.

He kicked things off to the sound of a drum-roll from local drumming group The Music Yard, and an encouraging message and airhorn-through-the-phone from Rob, a Radio 2 listener who sent in a voice note about yesterday's airhorn being... not as good as you might have hoped for. So Sara got him on air this morning to make up for it!

As Sara Cox pointed out on air, this is the longest day of the challenge - 108 miles in all. Owain will be heading into his first “killer climb” right away too, which involves continuous uphill cycling.

Pob lwc for Day 2, Owain!

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

It was such a relief to get on that ferry [last night], because we were worried. It's gonna be another similar kind of day today because we've got another ferry tonight. We have to sleep on the ferry tonight.

The show must go on, darling!

We're waiting for Owain to kick off his 4 Nations Cycle Challenge for Children in Need.

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.

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

Owain has revealed he has "dodgy knee" pain this morning, but ahead of his 'killer climb' this morning, on the Northern Ireland leg, he is pushing ahead...

It's onto Shania Chain, and off we go!

Nick [Owain's physio] put me in these kind of inflatable trousers, almost like those inflatable sofas we had in the 90s, except on the leg. It's basically a repetitive kind of thing because I'm just pedalling flat out.

He [Nick] thinks it's under the kneecap, which doesn't sound good, but it's just a thing we're gonna have to monitor and keep an eye on, because I've got a killer climb this morning and today is a long day.

There are red skies over Larne ferry port this morning as Owain prepares to set off for the next leg of his challenge.

He'll be cycling through Northern Ireland today, aiming to make it to the port of Belfast tonight for an overnight ferry to Birkenhead.

Owain will be settiing off today from Larne, a seaport town on the east coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Brush up on your Larne knowledge with a few fascinating facts below:

• Larne overlooks the North Channel, with Scotland just across the water.
• The town takes its name from the ancient kingdom of Latharna, believed to be named after Lathar, a legendary son of Irish king Úgaine Mór.
• Larne Harbour has been a hub for trade and travel for centuries and remains one of Northern Ireland’s main ferry ports to this day.
• Its local Chaine Memorial Tower was built in 1887 in honour of Irish shipping businessman James Chaine, who helped establish regular ferry links with Scotland. Standing at 27 metres tall, it was later converted into a lighthouse!
• The area has appeared on screen many times, including in The Northman, Morgan and Game of Thrones.

Stay tuned to Radio 2 for all the latest on the challenge and follow Owain's daily progress here throughout this week.

We're bringing you video, photos and updates from on the road, plus all the details on how to make a donation, and how to follow Owain via our Tracker page.

You can listen to Owain's challenge 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.

Good morning! Radio 2's Owain Wyn Evans is getting ready to begin the second leg of his 400 mile bicycle ride through all four nations of the UK.

Yesterday Owain pedalled from the BBC’s Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow to Cairnryan on Scotland’s South-West coast in an impressive 10 hours - before hopping on a ferry to take him to Northern Ireland where he’ll be cycling throughout today. So far his challenge has raised £80,123 for BBC Children in Need.

Catch up on what you missed here

Today there’ll be plenty of Northern Ireland’s lush green scenery along the way to keep his mind active. There’s also the first of three big climbs, so his legs will be getting a proper workout.

His aim - to make the overnight ferry from Belfast to Birkenhead.

You can do it, Owain!

Stay with us for what promises to be a busy day with some special surprises in store. We'll be bringing you details of all the ways you can follow along shortly.

If you'd like to support Owain with a text or online donation, you can find all the details at bbc.co.uk/owain.

Catch-up on the best bits from Day 1 of Owain's 4 Nations Cycle Challenge, as he pedalled from Glasgow to Cairnryan in Scotland, before catching the ferry to Larne in Northern Ireland.

Join us again tomorrow morning from 7:30am for regular updates, photos and videos as Owain embarks on the longest day of his epic challenge. You'll also be able to listen live on this page, via the BBC Sounds app, or via your smart speaker.

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

Owain caught up with Mark Goodier live from the ferry after a very long first day.

Do you know what's been keeping me going? Obviously, there's an element of the adrenaline, and all of that stuff that keeps you going through, but [it's] the amount of people, Mark, who've come out to support us.

The gang on the radio too - everyone on air, and the listeners, the whole gang. The support is just incredible, and that's been lovely today.

Scotland has been amazing. Day 1, you know, the first nation of four. I can't believe we're at the end of it, and now we're on the ferry, and I'm wearing motion sickness glasses!

Owain will be back on the road tomorrow morning, setting off during The Sara Cox Breakfast Show, boosted by the fact that he's raised an incredible £80,123 already.

In the meantime if you’re feeling inspired, here’s a special Pace Setter mix Owain put together to soundtrack your next run, workout or exercise session. Or keep listening to BBC Radio 2 for more reaction with Mark Goodier from 7-10pm.

If you've just joined us, Radio 2's Owain Wyn Evans has completed the first day of his 4 Nations Cycle Challenge for BBC Children in Need. It's been a huge day and he has covered 84 miles.

• He set off this morning on his bike which he christened Shania Chain - and then heard a special message from the woman herself
• He was sent on his way with lovely messages of support from his parents, Kathy and Alun
• Across the day he has travelled more than 80 miles across Scotland, covering just over a fifth of his 400 mile challenge - and ticking off one nation
• There was a bit of jeopardy as he had a hard deadline to hit this evening with a ferry to catch to reach Northern Ireland before tomorrow. If he missed it, there wasn't an alternative!
• But thankfully Owain pedalled on towards the finish and arrived at Cairnryan Port in time to get on the boat and hopefully get some much-needed rest before Day 2 kicks off tomorrow.

And he's had support from you, the Radio 2 listeners every step of the way!

It's been a long day for our Welsh warrior! Let's recap the day in photos.

Congratulations to Owain for completing Day 1 of his 4 Nations Cycle Challenge - enjoy some of the incredible views he enjoyed earlier as the sun went down.

Owain has made it to the ferry so he will be reaching Northern Ireland in time for day 2 - incredible work! And we've just found out he has raised over £80,000.

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