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 12 months 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 £1million 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 presumably tackle this time? Nicely, he is again on his bike for one thing he cannot even say for certain he’ll be capable of full.
Beginning shiny and early at this time, the 40-year-old presenter will cycle 630 miles (1,000 km) throughout Britain on a tandem bike in eight days.
Talking completely to Metro forward of the beginning date of the Longest Experience in Weymouth, Dorset, Greg reveals why now’s the suitable time for a brand new problem and why he stated sure once more after nearly a decade.
‘I have been fortunate sufficient to be a part of Comedian Aid for a lot of years and I’ve seen the great they do. It is a bit 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 a substitute of being within the scorching studio, I went outdoors and really 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 serious about a brand new problem for “a number of years now” as a result of he wished to finish the trilogy, however the thought wasn’t there.
Please allow JavaScript to view this video and take into account upgrading to an online browser that helps HTML5 video
‘We simply could not provide you with the suitable thought, and for a few of them the timing wasn’t fairly proper. I simply did not really feel prefer it was totally different sufficient, and people issues must be [be]particularly on the planet we stay in in the meanwhile,” he says, echoing Spencer Matthews’ 30-marathon desert problem and Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission for Soccer Assist.
‘They’ve to have the ability to lower and lower. They must be totally different,” says Greg, glad that he has now “checked all of the packing containers,” the principle one being that he desires folks to assume he’s loopy.
“It has to sound and look cool on a card, and whenever you say it out loud to somebody, you need the response to be, ‘What the fuck are you doing that for?’
After consulting consultants, Greg decided that his preliminary five-day time-frame wasn’t precisely possible, so he expanded the problem to eight days, making it “the longest ever.”
He’ll experience throughout England and Wales, by way of cities, cities and villages, earlier than biking throughout the end line in Edinburgh on Purple Nostril Day 2026 (March 20).
Happily, he suffered no accidents throughout coaching, and admitted he feared having to declare ‘recreation over’ earlier than even leaving.
“I have been very cautious,” he stated of his coaching. ‘I am very diligent and have been coaching since earlier than Christmas. I have been doing static biking and loads of leg work simply to verify I can hold going. However you’ll be able to by no means practice sufficient for these sorts of issues, to be sincere.’
Greg shall be biking 90 miles a day, which on paper is just about incomprehensible.
‘It is completely absurd. I’ve seemed on the distribution of distances and occasions, and on daily basis it is about what they’d do in a stage of the Tour de France.’
So, what is going to hold 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 respectable cyclists).
‘Persons 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 looks like they’re carrying the burden of life alone.”
“That is an open enchantment to all of the celebrities who learn Metro,” he added, eager to boost as a lot cash as potential. “I would like you to offer me a few of your hard-earned (and generally simply earned) cash.”
And does Greg assume that is his final endurance problem, or can we count on extra from him sooner or later?
“Nicely, we’ll see the way it goes,” he muses, with out ruling something out.
‘I will let on March 21. Do not be shocked if on the finish I say, “By no means once more.” I am certain I will really feel that in a second, however individuals are allowed to alter their minds.’
Radio 1’s Longest Experience with Greg James for Purple Nostril Day shall be broadcast stay on Radio 1, Morning Dwell and BBC Sounds from at this time, with highlights from the video diary shared on Radio 1 and Comedian Aid’s social channels together with YouTube.
Do you’ve gotten a narrative?
Should you’ve bought a star story, video or footage get in contact with the Metro.co.uk leisure staff by emailing [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Submissions web page. We would love to listen to from you.
Arrow
MORE: Fearne Cotton shares response to pedophile ex Ian Watkins’ ‘life-changing’ scandal
Arrow
MORE: How a pair constructed a race observe so disabled canines may stay their greatest lives
Arrow
MORE: Brenda Blethyn reveals parallels between position of Girl of Substance and ‘very poor’ youth
Reply now
Add Metro as a most well-liked supply on Google
