Wow, the numbers are in and we can't believe it - the total so far for Owain's 4 Nation Cycling Challenge in aid of BBC Children in Need is £80,123!

"Wow that is amazing - thank you! That is definitely going to spur me on and get me through tomorrow... That's a lot of fivers! Thank you to everyone who has been able to give," Owain says.

We're so proud of Owain for smashing his first day and raising so much money. Your donations have pushed him through today and will keep motivating him throughout the week - head to bbc.co.uk/owain, external to find out how to donate if you haven't yet.

Gary Davies
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

Well done, it’s a remarkable achievement! You have completed day 1 of your epic challenge. 84 miles today of 400, so only 316 miles to go buddy!

We're so proud of Owain for crossing the finish line in Cairnryan - one day down, four to go!

Owain said: "Thank you so much guys, what a lovely welcome! The whole gang are here, everyone's here waiting, it's so nice.

Today's been amazing, it's been hard of course, but it's been so lovely as well, what a gorgeous part of the world. The support has blown my mind."

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

I can't believe that I'm in Cairnryan, this morning when we set off in Glasgow it felt so far away. I can't believe we're nearly at the end of the first leg, the first nation!

After cycling from dawn till dusk, Owain is due to arrive at Cairnryan ferry port very shortly. Here are the scenes as we await his arrival!

Gary is chatting to Darlene from Cairnryan Ferry Port as Owain approaches today's finish line!

Darlene told him: "We’re all going out to cheer him, there’s quite a few supporters here for him already. We can see lights but we can’t see him coming yet!"

And when asking what kind of warm welcome he's likely to get on the ferry, Darlene said: "I’m sure we’ll organise a hot meal for him on the ferry, fish and chips or steak and ale pie!’’

A wholesome meal is just what he needs after a day like this - in just a few moments time he will have covered 80 miles!

But it will have to be good to top his lunch today - at his lunchtime stop, he met 'Paw-dia Winkleman'...

Gary is keeping us up to date with how Owain's been doing as he cycles the final mile to today's destination.

Owain: I think we’re getting pretty close to where we need to go because twinkling to my right I can see some - what I think are - ferries!

Gary: What's the fastest you've been so far today?

Owain: Um, we hit 29 miles an hour.

Gary: Wow, and the slowest? 


Owain: The slowest, probably less than one mile an hour!

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

I mean, I tell you what, guys. The last bit was hard. We had that climb, 
that was really tough, and like I said to you before, you know, I'm not a cyclist.

Everyone's so generous, Gary. 
And it does get quite emotional, and it's a tough old challenge, this, but it's been very encouraging seeing everybody come out, and this is a beautiful part of the UK, and I'm loving it.

At the moment, it's really remote... To the right, to we've got the sea, there's a drop beside the road, and then, to our left, there's just trees and there's no one around here now - it's super dark, and it's got so cold. My fingers are freezing. Yeah. 
Um, so, fingers and toes, uh, extremities, a bit chilly at the moment. So, I need to get on that ferry to warm up, as well.

Will he make it? Good luck Owain, pedal on and get those fingers and toes warmed up!

Richie Anderson
Presenter, BBC Radio 2

My goodness me, what have you let yourself in for, sunshine? But listen, you are going to be incredible on your mega challenge and we are all so unbelievably proud of you.

Just think, you're going to make such a difference to the lives of so many people and I can't think of anyone better to get on their bike and go around all four nations. You are an absolute hero.

I've been following you on socials and I know your training has been a little bit up and down but come on you've got this and I hope you can feel the love. And the perfect track I've got for you whilst you're zooming around on your bike is the joyful, the sparkly, the feel good, Blinding Lights by The Weeknd.

It's getting close to the wire as Owain speeds along towards today's finish line - and Gary has been chatting to Leanne from Cairnryan Ferry Port to find out what the journey will look like if Owain gets there in time.

This route is known for being choppy, but lucky for Owain, Leanne told Gary: "I think it’s going to be quite a calm crossing, it’s cold but the water seems quite calm."

Phew - it's only a two-hour ferry but we don't want him to get seasick, he needs his rest for Day 2!

You can send your own message in via the 'Get in touch button'.

Angela Scanlon
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

Angela Scanlon dropped by to chat to Owain and give him a much needed boost!

You are built for pressure, you’ve dealt with these situations before and I know you guys have got a deadline, you’ve got a boat to catch which I imagine is adding to the pressure, but you’ve got it. Don’t let your head get in the way!

Owain’s final destination today is Cairnryan Ferryport, where he needs to board a ferry to Northern Ireland.

This tiny village on the shores of Loch Ryan, home to fewer than 200 people, is the departure point for the shortest ferry crossing between Britain and Ireland.

Let’s get Owain to the boat on time!

As Owain continues his challenge, here are five fast facts about Cairnryan to impress your friends with:

• Cairnryan dates back to 1701, when Lochryan House was built as the residence of the local estate. The settlement also became a Burgh of Barony that year.
• Its huge military port was built during the Second World War, with construction beginning in 1941 and the port officially opening in 1943. It was such an important operation that it was known as Military Port No. 2.
• Cairnryan’s ferry routes connect southwest Scotland with Northern Ireland, making it a busy gateway for holidaymakers, commuters and freight travelling across the Irish Sea.
• Before the port became a major transport hub, the area was known for its oyster fishing and local quarrying, with slate from Cairn Hill used for roofing local buildings.
• The waters around Cairnryan once supported major military operations, including the arrival of American troops and the construction of components for the Mulberry Harbours used in the Normandy landings. Today, they’re better known for ferry journeys, coastal views and trips between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Owain is closing in on Cairnryan, the destination for the first day of the 4 Nations Cycle Challenge, but will he make it to the ferry in time?

Track his progress here., external

Groups of school children with handmade signs of support have been cheering on Owain as he cycled through Scotland today, which he has found especially meaningful when thinking back to his own school experiences.

Speaking to Matt and Mollie earlier, Owain said: "I was the guy in school who was never picked for P.E., was never picked to be on any sports teams, I was always the last one. As a result I kind of grew up with a weird relationship with exercise because it takes me back to the bullying of being in the sports hall...

We’ve passed so many schools and all the kids have been cheering on and they’ve had little banners… it’s been lush! And if little Owain could believe that there is a whole school coming out to cheer him on, he wouldn’t have believed it if he had heard that."

Matt and Mollie
Radio 1 Presenters

Owain spoke to Matt and Mollie on Radio 1 and cycled off with some gems earlier this afternoon!

Matt supported Mollie while she did her own cycling challenge for Comic Relief a few years ago, and he had some wise words to share with Owain...

Matt: There is so much weight on your shoulders, just try and find a pocket of time in the day where you can sit and process what you’ve done in the day before moving on to the next day.

Owain: Matt that’s great advice, because you do kind of get lost in it. It’s a big thing and there’s lots of people involved, and so many people giving up their time to do this, so you just think it’s you on a bike, but it’s so much more than that.

Matt: I know it’s you on the bike… We’re all there and we’re all sort of pushing for you and we’re going to follow your journey closely over the new few days.

Mollie: Absolutely, we have got you here, we know you’re gonna do this!

A huge group of people in Ballantrae have been waiting to cheer Owain on as he pedals towards tonight's finish line - Gary Davies has been getting live updates from members of the crowd as they waited eagerly for him to pass through.

Owain was overwhelmed to see so many people come out to support him - we heard his live reaction as he passed, exclaiming: "Oh my gosh I've been listening in... Oh wow there's a big crowd! Thank you everyone! Thank you so much!"

He needs this positive energy as he's approaching his first big climb of the challenge in Glenapp - it's 7km in length and the climb is a gruelling 115m. It's the final obstacle for him to meet the deadline of his ferry to Northern Ireland - will he make it?

Owain caught up with Gary Davies, as he cycled along the coast looking out towards the Mull of Kinyre and the Isle of Arran. As they spoke, he kept having to stop to thank supporters who called out to him along the route!

Owain said: "I am doing alright, I've got a bit of a twinge in my knees which I'm a bit worried about, but as you can hear Gary, people are out supporting us, and it's amazing."

He added: "I can't believe we're approaching the end of our first day and our first nation. The welcome from Scotland has just been lovely!"

If you want to go and support Owain during the challenge you can follow his progress on the Tracker., external

Here's a lovely moment earlier where school children and their teachers lined the Scottish streets with cheers and some beautifully-designed signs.

Stunning sunset scenes at Girvan Beach, Scotland, which was Owain's last pit stop.

The beautiful view went a long way to helping Owain push through a tiring final stretch this evening. But it's also giving him some trepidation because it means his deadline for his ferry to Northern Ireland is fast approaching!

Owain: We've just seen the most incredible sunset Gary, but the sunset worries me as it indicates that the end of the day is nigh, and I've got to get on a ferry."

Gary: And you have to make this ferry because there are no alternatives.

Owain: Absolutely!

Listen live to find out whether he will make it!