To the Chopper - Paddy McGuinness to ride custom Raleigh in ultra-endurance cycling challenge

Television presenter set to ride 300 miles for BBC Children in Need 2024

Raleigh Chopper
(Image credit: Fusion Media)

The television presenter Paddy McGuinness is set to ride a Raleigh Chopper bicycle during a 300-mile ultra-endurance cycling challenge for this year’s BBC Children in Need.

McGuinness, who British audiences are more used to seeing in cars on Top Gear, will ride from Wrexham to Glasgow in five days as part of a three nations challenge. The overall aim of the project will be to engage the public in order to continue to raise funds for children and young people across the UK through Children in Need.

The organisation is the BBC's charity for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, and has raced hundreds of millions over the years; it is based around a TV telethon.

A popular child's bike in the 1960’s, the Chopper set to be used by McGuinness will feature a modified saddle. The normal Mk4 the bike is fitted with will be replaced with a standard saddle and seatpost, similar to the Mk3 Chopper set up launched by Raleigh in 2004.

In order to improve the bike’s performance, McGuinness’ custom Chopper will also be equipped with more durable brake callipers, levers and pads in order to enhance braking efficiency. Aluminium rims with grooved braking surfaces will also be installed on his setup.

The final modification is the installation of an Mk3 handlebar and stem setup in order to improve McGuinness’ riding position without losing the bike’s famous appearance.

"The Raleigh Chopper is the most iconic bike we've ever made, and seeing it being used in this incredible challenge for BBC Children in Need is a proud moment for us," Raleigh’s Michelle Jakeway said. "The Chopper has always been a symbol of fun, adventure and nostalgia, and we're excited to see it play a part in bringing communities together for such a worthy cause.

‘"Of course the Chopper was originally designed as a child's recreational bike, so we needed to scale it up a bit to ensure Paddy gets through what will be an absolutely brutal challenge. We have every faith that he’ll smash it out the park and raise some significant funds for the UKs leading children’s charity."

McGuinness’ challenge will begin on 11 November and is set to conclude just before the BBC’s Children in Need night on 15 November.

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Tom Thewlis
News and Features Writer

After previously working in higher education, Tom joined Cycling Weekly in 2022 and hasn't looked back. He's been covering professional cycling ever since; reporting on the ground from some of the sport's biggest races and events, including the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix and the World Championships. His earliest memory of a bike race is watching the Tour on holiday in the early 2000's in the south of France - he even made it on to the podium in Pau afterwards. His favourite place that cycling has taken him is Montréal in Canada.