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Radio 1 DJ Greg James faces another gruelling day in the saddle cycling 145km from York to Sunderland
Well over 500km into the challenge, Greg is battling exhaustion and pain on day six
Greg and his tandem affectionately named ‘Tando Norris’ by Radio 1 listeners received royal seal of approval from HRH The Prince of Wales on day five
Today BBC Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free joined Greg on the tandem as the nation is urged to line the route and power him through to Edinburgh
Money raised for Red Nose Day could help people to eat, sleep safely, and live without fear. It can help put food on tables, roofs over heads and provide safety to those facing the toughest times of their lives
Red Nose Day is on Friday 20 March
Listeners can tune in to Radio 1 and Morning Live every day to follow Greg’s progress, as well as watch the livestream here
To see the full route and support Greg, visit: comicrelief.com/ride
Wednesday 18 March: Greg James is calling on the nation to get behind him today as he takes to the road in another testing leg of his epic Longest Ride for Red Nose Day challenge. After five relentless days on the tandem, Greg is running on empty, battling gruelling 10-hour days on the road, cold starts and an aching body, but still pushing through as he sets off on a 145km journey from York to Sunderland, the home of Radio 1’s Big Weekend this year.
Tuesday delivered one of the most unforgettable days of the challenge so far. Greg’s tandem affectionately named Tando Norris received the royal seal of approval when The Prince of Wales jumped on the back seat in South Yorkshire, helping power him through the hills and past the emotional halfway mark. Day five also saw double Olympic gold medallist and Tour De France winner Geraint Thomas and TV presenter Gethin Jones join Greg in the saddle, adding even more star power to an extraordinary day.
In a jaw-dropping moment, Greg was also treated to a surprise flyover from the Red Arrows, lighting up the skies above his route in a spectacular show of support. The landmark day was topped off as Greg smashed through the £1million milestone with the total now exceeding £1.1million.
But today, it’s a very different story. No royal companion. No aerial display. Just Greg, the road and the reality of what his body is going through. After cycling more than 500km across five punishing days, the toll is clear. His legs are heavy, his energy is fading, and even sitting on the saddle has become a challenge.
Speaking about how he’s feeling at this stage of the challenge, Greg said: “I’m definitely feeling it today. My legs are shot, I'm sore in places I didn’t even know existed, and sitting on the saddle is becoming a struggle. This is without a doubt, mentally and physically, the toughest thing I've done. By this point in my previous two comic Relief challenges, I would have already completed them.”
And now, he’s making a heartfelt plea: he cannot do this alone. Speaking about the challenge and why it matters, Greg said: “Doing stuff in your community is a big thing which we might have got distracted from for various reasons in life. Seeing people on the side of the roads, and at the finish lines, shows the power of what we can do when we come together.”
Today is about showing up for Greg and building that village around him, with supporters urged to line the route, cheer him on, donate what they can and keep his spirits alive as he pushes north towards the finish in Edinburgh on day eight.
BBC Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free joins Greg on the tandem today, providing much-needed pedal power as he takes on the long road from York to Sunderland.
Alongside regular Radio 1 check-ins, Greg’s journey is being livestreamed on Radio 1’s Youtube (opens in new window)channel, as well as listeners being able to sign up for exclusive behind the scenes updates from the man himself via The Longest Ride Whatsapp group. If you want to see whether Greg will be cycling near you or are simply nosey about where he is right now, you can follow his progress via the journey tracker here(opens in new window).
And for anyone who wants to swap watching from the sofa for cheering in real life, there’s an extra twist this year: Greg’s grand finish at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Red Nose Day will have a live audience - and you could be in it. See here (opens in new window)to find out how to get tickets.
Money raised for Radio 1’s Longest Ride with Greg James for Red Nose Day could help fund vital projects supporting people facing incredibly tough times, both here in the UK and around the world, helping to put food on plates, provide safe places to sleep and support people who are at risk of poverty and harm. At a time when life can feel harder than ever, this challenge is about coming together and turning collective effort into real, positive change.
Radio 1's Longest Ride with Greg James for Red Nose Day will be broadcast live across Radio 1, Morning Live and BBC Sounds, with live streams on Radio 1’s iPlayer and YouTube channels.
To support Greg, go to comicrelief.com/ride
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE
Comic Relief selection of Greg starting day one of his challenge can be found here(opens in new window)
Wider selection of Getty photography can be found here(opens in new window)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Emily McCormick
07487582054
e.mccormick@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)
Out of hours enquiries: 0207 820 2444
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 (opens in new window)is the UK’s No.1 youth station, targeting 15 to 29 year-olds with a distinctive mix of new music and programmes focusing on issues affecting young people. The station is the soundtrack to young people's lives in the UK and has been for over 50 years.
About Red Nose Day
This Red Nose Day, Friday 20 March 2026, it’s time to take things a bit less seriously. It’s time to lighten up a little, take ourselves funny for money and celebrate the undeniable power of laughter.
Whether it’s running a marathon in a mankini, baking your mate’s face in cake, sharing your best worst photo, or popping on a Red Nose and going about your day – let’s turn those silly moments into serious goodness! This March, get ready to be silly, be daft, be the nation’s punchline and help raise shedloads of cash.
The money raised this Red Nose Day could help to support people with the basic essentials that everyone has the right to – food, shelter and safety.
There are lots of ways to get involved and take yourself funny for money. Visit comicrelief.com/rednoseday(opens in new window) or follow @comicrelief on social media to find out more. Red Nose Day is an initiative of Comic Relief.
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity that uses the power of entertainment and popular culture to work towards a vision of a just world free from poverty. We raise money to support organisations that are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will tackle the impact of poverty, injustice, conflict, and climate change in the UK and around the world.
Since launching in 1985, we have raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and our partners.
For more information on our work, visit www.comicrelief.com(opens in new window) or follow @comicrelief on Facebook(opens in new window), Instagram(opens in new window), LinkedIn(opens in new window) and TikTok (opens in new window)for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
