Shearer and chiles on their way

Alan Shearer and Adrian Chiles this morning began their gruelling Sport Relief Super Cycle challenge to raise funds for the charity.

Setting off from the pitch side at Newcastle United ground St James’ Park, cheering crowds were present to see the pair off as Kevin Keegan marked the beginning of the challenge with a fog horn at 8:40am.

Support partner, Specialized, are supporting the pair with Roubaix bikes, Specialized technically advanced equipment and tech support along their mammoth 335 miles journey which they are planning on covering at a blistering pace over the next two days. Their goal is to reach BBC Television Centre by tomorrow evening, throwing in a detour to West Bromwich Albion, Adrian Chiles’ home team, to keep them on their toes.

Alan and Adrian will be kept in the saddle by the knowledge that the public are supporting them by donating at www.sportrelief.com/supercycle