BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James is on day four of his 1,000km tandem cycle from Weymouth to Edinburgh for Comic Relief, describing himself as 'completely depleted' as the challenge takes its toll. The 40-year-old breakfast host set off from the Jurassic Coast and is climbing a total elevation higher than Mount Everest over eight days.
James has been met by crowds of supporters along the route, which has passed through Birmingham and is heading towards Derby. The fundraising total has reached £192,020, leaving James amazed. 'My God, I can't get my head around that total. I can't,' he told the BBC. 'I'm sort of just beaming!'
The challenge comes amid a personal setback: James's father was admitted to intensive care after a stroke following heart surgery. James shared on Instagram that his father had wanted him to complete the ride. 'He really wanted me to do this challenge... so I've been training my tits off for it,' he said, adding that his father knows how much it means to him.
Despite the emotional strain, James remains determined. 'I feel elated. I feel a bit overwhelmed by all these people who just turned up out of nowhere,' he said after finishing day two. The journey continues, with donations still being accepted at comicrelief.com/ride.
