BBC Radio 1 favourite Greg James isn’t any stranger to an endurance check – however even he admits his newest Comedian Aid problem is ‘completely absurd’.
This yr the broadcaster introduced he was popping out of ‘problem retirement’ after vowing by no means to do one once more.
It began in 2016 for Sport Aid, when Greg took on the ‘Gregathlon’ and accomplished 5 triathlons in 5 days throughout 5 UK cities, whereas nonetheless internet hosting his Drivetime present. Greg has raised a whopping £1 million for charity.
However not eager to relaxation on his laurels, he confronted off in opposition to Pedal to the Peaks in 2018, biking 500 miles and climbing Snowdon and Scafell Pike. After excessive climate introduced the problem to a halt, he returned a month later, additionally climbing Ben Nevis and once more elevating greater than six figures.
So, what may Greg probably tackle this time? Properly, he is again on his bike for one thing he cannot even say for certain he’ll be capable of full.
From March 13, the 40-year-old presenter will cycle 630 miles (1,000 km) throughout Britain on a tandem bike for eight days.
Talking solely to Metro forward of the beginning date of the Longest Trip in Weymouth, Dorset, Greg reveals why now could be the best time for a brand new problem and why he mentioned sure once more after virtually a decade.
‘I have been fortunate sufficient to be a part of Comedian Aid for quite a lot of years and I’ve seen the great they do. It’s kind of surreal,” he begins.
“It truly is a privilege to be requested to do these items and to bear the burden of the problem. Plus, I’ve spent the final eight years getting everybody to do them and convincing different folks to do them. I assumed it was time that as an alternative of being within the sizzling studio, I went exterior and truly did one.”
However Greg additionally does it for himself.
‘It is also to show to myself that I can nonetheless do one, as a result of it has been ten years and rather a lot has occurred since then. Can I nonetheless do it? Do not know. I feel so, however I am undecided.’
He goes on to elucidate that he is been eager about a brand new problem for “a couple of years now” as a result of he needed to finish the trilogy, however the thought wasn’t there.
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‘We simply could not give you the best thought, and for a few of them the timing wasn’t fairly proper. I simply did not really feel prefer it was completely different sufficient, and people issues need to be [be]particularly on this planet we reside in for the time being,” he says, echoing Spencer Matthews’ 30-marathon desert problem and Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission for Soccer Support.
‘They’ve to have the ability to lower and lower. They need to be completely different,” says Greg, joyful that he has now “checked all of the packing containers,” the principle one being that he desires folks to suppose he’s loopy.
“It has to sound and look cool on a card, and while you say it out loud to somebody, you need the response to be, ‘What the fuck are you doing that for?’
After consulting specialists, Greg decided that his preliminary five-day timeframe wasn’t precisely possible, so he expanded the problem to eight days, making it “the longest ever.”
He’ll journey throughout England and Wales, via cities, cities and villages, earlier than biking throughout the end line in Edinburgh on Crimson Nostril Day 2026 (March 20).
Happily, he hasn’t suffered any accidents in coaching (contact wooden), and he admits he is anxious he’ll need to declare ‘sport over’ earlier than even leaving.
‘I have been very cautious. I’m very diligent and have been coaching since earlier than Christmas. I have been doing static biking and numerous leg work simply to verify I can maintain going. However you may by no means prepare sufficient for these sorts of issues, to be sincere.’
Greg shall be biking 90 miles a day, which on paper is nearly incomprehensible.
‘It is completely absurd. I’ve seemed on the distribution of distances and occasions, and day-after-day it is about what they might do in a stage of the Tour de France.’
So, what’s going to maintain him going?
Fortunately Greg is not flying solo, as he is joined on his journey by fellow Radio 1 presenters and a few particular friends, plus Radio 1 listeners (so long as they’re first rate cyclists).
‘Individuals are after all very welcome.’
He additionally retains in thoughts the rationale why he is doing it, as a result of he is already devoted the problem “to anybody who seems like they’re carrying the burden of life alone.”
“That is an open attraction to all of the celebrities who learn Metro,” he added, eager to boost as a lot cash as doable. “I need you to offer me a few of your hard-earned (and generally simply earned) cash.”
And does Greg suppose that is his final endurance problem, or can we anticipate extra from him sooner or later?
“Properly, we’ll see the way it goes,” he muses, with out ruling something out.
‘I am going to let you recognize on March 21. Do not be stunned if on the finish I say, “By no means once more.” I am certain I am going to really feel that in a second, however individuals are allowed to vary their minds.’
Radio 1’s Longest Trip with Greg James for Crimson Nostril Day shall be broadcast reside on Radio 1, Morning Dwell and BBC Sounds from March 13, with highlights from the video diary shared on Radio 1 and Comedian Aid’s social channels together with YouTube.
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