“I’m in unbelievable pain,” says Dan Walker after 200-mile charity cycle

Classic FM Breakfast presenter Dan Walker has completed his gruelling 200-mile, 48-hour cycle challenge to raise money and awareness for Global’s Make Some Noise.

Dan Walker’s Coast to Coast Challenge, sponsored by Viking, across the width of the North of England, saw him pedalling from Withernsea in Yorkshire to Liverpool.

He arrived in Liverpool’s docks last night (Friday 4th October), where he was greeted by a welcome party including the Choir With No Name, the choir charity for homeless and marginalised people.

Arriving to a fanfare, Dan said: “It feels painful but also exhilarating to have done it. The longest I’ve ever been on a bike in my life is an hour.

“I committed to doing it. I knew it was going to be difficult, and the whole time, I just had in my mind the people that we are raising money for.

“I’m in unbelievable pain at the minute, but I’ve enjoyed doing it. I could lie down on the floor and just fall asleep!”

Setting off from the North coast of Withernsea in Yorkshire on Thursday morning, Dan cycled 105 miles, and more than two hours behind schedule, before reaching the halfway point in his hometown of Sheffield, where he was serenaded by the Steel City Choristers.

On Friday morning, after presenting his Classic FM Breakfast programme, Dan set off from Sheffield where he would face the toughest part of his 200-mile challenge.

Dan revealed: “The toughest moment was some of the climbs out of Sheffield. That was really difficult. I’ve never cycled 100 miles before in my life, and I did that the day before.

“I felt my body was shutting down a bit, and was screaming at me, ‘What are you doing? You should be in bed!’. But you’ve just got to keep going, haven’t you?

“Hearing the donations coming into Classic FM made a big difference, and a little nine year old called Scarlet in Sheffield gave me this bracelet that says ‘You’ve got this.’ Those things make a bit make a difference and keep you going.”

Dan’s journey continued through to Manchester, taking moments to visit some of the small charities and grassroots projects that Global’s Make Some Noise supports across the UK, as well as visiting music groups such as Manchester Camerata.

His final leg took him to Liverpool, where he crossed the finish line outside the M&S Bank Arena at 6.30pm.

To donate to Dan Walker’s Coast to Challenge for Global’s Make Some Noise, go to makesomenoise.com.