0:00:06 > 0:00:09I kayaked 2,000 miles along the Amazon.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18I walked a high-wire between the chimneys at Battersea Power Station.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21'And in December 2011,
0:00:21 > 0:00:25'I embarked on my most demanding expedition to date -
0:00:25 > 0:00:28'a 500-mile trek to the South Pole
0:00:28 > 0:00:32'by kite, by ski and, in a world first, by bike.'
0:00:32 > 0:00:35My legs! Ow-w-w-w!
0:00:42 > 0:00:45It was most the incredible journey of my life
0:00:45 > 0:00:48and this is my story.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Coming up in today's programme, I take a risky decision
0:01:00 > 0:01:04that will definitely make my challenge of reaching the South Pole much harder.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07It's time to say...
0:01:07 > 0:01:10goodbye to the kites.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13'My decision to ditch the kites doesn't go down well
0:01:13 > 0:01:16'with team-mate Niklas.'
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Today we have been moving at, like, 1.3 miles an hour
0:01:19 > 0:01:21and that's way too slow.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Come on! Yes!
0:01:24 > 0:01:28And the long days, with the punishing cold of Antarctica,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30start to affect my health.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32SHE COUGHS
0:01:32 > 0:01:37If it gets worse, this could exclude you from finishing your race.
0:01:45 > 0:01:51My Norwegian team-mate Niklas and I have fewer than 250 miles to go.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52Woo-woo!
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Today we're back on the kites, but no sooner have we started
0:01:56 > 0:02:02- and the wind almost disappears. - The wind is dropping all the time so we just go slower and slower.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06We both agree we need to switch to a quicker mode of transport.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10- Biking or skiing? - You want bike, I want bike.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12That's the right answer!
0:02:14 > 0:02:18When the kites are going well, they're great
0:02:18 > 0:02:22because you can cover a lot of miles, and it's cool, fun and fast.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26However, it very quickly becomes really annoying.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30We spent about an hour and a half getting them in the air and unpacked this morning,
0:02:30 > 0:02:37now we're going to spend another hour packing them away, changing the sledges, getting the bikes ready
0:02:37 > 0:02:39so there's a lot of hassle involved.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Sometimes it's worth it. Today...
0:02:43 > 0:02:44it hasn't been worth it.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49'Over an hour later we're packed up and ready to go.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52'When we ride the bikes, the crew have agreed to lend a hand.'
0:02:52 > 0:02:57It's virtually impossible to cycle with two sledges - it just provides too much friction.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- SHE LAUGHS - So we've struck a deal with the crew
0:03:01 > 0:03:04and they have agreed that when we're cycling,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06they'll take all our non-essential kit.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11Very kind of them, we appreciate it. ..Thank you!
0:03:12 > 0:03:16We spend the next five and half hours riding the bikes,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20and although only doing around three miles an hour, it's still better
0:03:20 > 0:03:23progress than we would've had made if we'd stuck with the kites.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31I'm really pleased they worked so well today.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34We did 15 miles, which isn't a phenomenal amount,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38but by the time we'd packed up the kites,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42the day was getting on so we ran out of time.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44If we'd started earlier, we could've done more miles.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59The next morning the temperature has dropped again and I'm freezing.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02The nearer we get to the South Pole it will become colder and colder.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05And it's not just the temperature that's chilly -
0:04:05 > 0:04:09my relationship with Niklas is starting to become just as frosty.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I don't want a kite, I want to use the bikes.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16But I'm told, "We're kiting". "Oh, OK, how about shall we kite?"
0:04:16 > 0:04:18No, "We're kiting." Oh, OK.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Reluctantly I take to the kite again,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35but my bad mood doesn't last long as it IS a perfect day for kiting.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40Today we're making a lot of progress. If anything,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43we're going too fast.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48We might have to rethink our strategy so definitely going to put more miles in on the bike
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and get the cross-country skis out today.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00And true to my word I'm about to make that radical decision.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05We are past halfway with fewer than 200 miles to go to the Pole.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08I came here intending to use three different methods of transport.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11We've used the kites a lot, the bikes a bit,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13but we haven't touched the skis.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17We used the kite to put miles in the bank and we've done that
0:05:17 > 0:05:20so it's time...to say...
0:05:20 > 0:05:23goodbye to the kites!
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Our pace is definitely going to slow down, but I'm determined
0:05:27 > 0:05:30we can still make it to the Pole in 20 days.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39We set off on the bikes with the remaining 190 miles
0:05:39 > 0:05:42in front of us. It'll be tough,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46but I think it'll be worth it. Let's see if we can do it.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56My decision means we spend a bottom numbing day and half in the saddle.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03But it's clear by the morning of day 12,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05the bikes aren't performing as I hoped they would.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Been a really tough...
0:06:17 > 0:06:1812 hours.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23We managed to cycle for about seven and a half hours yesterday.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27We did over 20 kms, which is about 16 miles, I think,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31and then we hit really, loose snow
0:06:31 > 0:06:33so we had to push the bikes
0:06:33 > 0:06:38for the next sort of... three hours almost.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41So we were on the go for nearly 11 hours yesterday
0:06:41 > 0:06:45and we only just managed to do 18 miles.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49We need to do that at least every day from here on in to get to the Pole in time.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Helen is now determined
0:06:55 > 0:07:00to get to the Pole using only bikes and skis.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03We have not been able to cycle at all.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07It demands less energy to push the bikes, actually,
0:07:07 > 0:07:09so today we just pushed the bikes.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Oh, bike!
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Today, we have been moving at, like, 1.3 miles an hour
0:07:17 > 0:07:19and that's way too slow.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23I might have accused her of being too stubborn
0:07:23 > 0:07:28about proving a point about the bikes, but if I feel that way
0:07:28 > 0:07:33we have other possibilities to move more efficiently,
0:07:33 > 0:07:39then I don't see the point in using the bikes just to prove a point.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43'Niklas and I have been bickering a lot.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46'Fundamentally we're just totally different people -
0:07:46 > 0:07:51'he wants to get to the Pole in the quickest way possible,'
0:07:51 > 0:07:55but we came here to use the three different modes of transport,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58we came here to show that we can use those bikes a bit
0:07:58 > 0:08:01and I'm determined to stick to that.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04'He's got an issue with me using the bikes!
0:08:04 > 0:08:07'It's kind of become a bit of a joke now, we argue so much!'
0:08:07 > 0:08:09I just want to say,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13"If you can't say anything nice, "don't say anything at all. Zip it!"
0:08:17 > 0:08:21One thing we do agree on is that we should park the bikes
0:08:21 > 0:08:23and use our third mode of transport.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26We are now cross-country skiing
0:08:26 > 0:08:29with a very large sledge. We're going slow,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32we're doing about two miles an hour.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35It's not as fast, but do you know what?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I feel like we're doing it properly.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41I'd feel like a cheat if we came to Antarctica and didn't do this a bit,
0:08:41 > 0:08:45although we've only been doing this for a few hours so ask me in two days
0:08:45 > 0:08:50and I'll be saying, "Bring back the kites, not the skis!"
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Let's crack on because we've got a long way to go.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07It was a bad idea putting the bike on the sledge.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10But of course, Helen being Helen,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I'm determined to cover as much as we can.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18'I'm pulling more than my body weight, in excess of 80kgs,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20'and the skiing is causing other problems -
0:09:20 > 0:09:23'my feet are starting to hurt.'
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Taken everybody's advice and stopped because my feet
0:09:28 > 0:09:33are really starting to rub and I just thought, "I don't need any more blisters at this stage."
0:09:33 > 0:09:37I don't want to be a drama queen, but I don't want to make it worse.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- It's the right thing to do, Helen. - Sorry, my feet must stink.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Blisters can definitely stop you from completely your expedition
0:09:46 > 0:09:49so it's very important to take good care of your feet
0:09:49 > 0:09:53and prevention is the key thing, but then also, like now,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57with Helen's feet starting to rub,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59she did the right thing - stopped
0:09:59 > 0:10:02and we took care of it. Hopefully we'll solve the problem now.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07That would just be hugely embarrassing if I had to pull out of this because of blisters.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12I'll tape them up every day and fingers crossed they won't get bad.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17I don't think they'll get any better, but fingers crossed it won't stop me finishing this.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21We're navigating to the South Pole using GPS.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Every day, we report our location.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28South 88 degrees, 3.806 minutes.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33It's clear from the co-ordinates we're simply not moving fast enough.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Our current speed is a pitiful 1.3 miles an hour,
0:10:37 > 0:10:41which means we'll have to be on the move
0:10:41 > 0:10:43for up to 20 hours a day.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45That's quite depressing, isn't it?
0:10:46 > 0:10:49I think doing 20 hours a day in a week
0:10:49 > 0:10:53that would've been first in the world.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56That's not possible for a human, I think,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59because putting up a camp, putting it down, making dinner, breakfast,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01leaves us maybe two hours' sleep.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Are we literally not going to bed tonight?
0:11:06 > 0:11:10There's 24-hour daylight Antarctica so while it might look like
0:11:10 > 0:11:14the middle of the day, it is in fact eight o'clock at night.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19We travel for another two hours before putting up camp,
0:11:19 > 0:11:24exhausted after a leg-breaking 22 miles.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28We have taken a massive gamble. I say "we", I have taken a gamble.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31We brought the skis and the bike so I think we should use them.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35There is no doubt it's got ten times harder,
0:11:35 > 0:11:38but I am convinced it'll be worth it.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55The next morning with snow conditions looking firm,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- I insist we try the bikes again. - SHE COUGHS
0:12:01 > 0:12:05I need them to work as we've still got serious distance to cover.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08About 140 miles to go.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10We've got about seven days to get to the Pole.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13And if I'm honest,
0:12:13 > 0:12:18I don't know if I can keep it up. If we can't keep it up, we'll have to get the kites out.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23I hope we don't because then we'll have used all three methods,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27and as you can see, cycling ain't easy.
0:12:29 > 0:12:35Even so I'm determined to try to cover a minimum of 18 miles today.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48But after a gruelling eight and half hours in the saddle...
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Argh, my legs!
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Ow-w-w!
0:12:52 > 0:12:56..we've only achieved a disappointing 16 miles.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Two miles we need to do minimum. I'd like to try and do 19 or 20
0:13:00 > 0:13:03just to put two miles in the bank if we can.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06What do you think, Niklas?
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- Everything is possible. - SHE LAUGHS
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Good! On yer bike then!
0:13:16 > 0:13:20We're on the polar plateau in the middle of Antarctica.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24It's classified as a desert due to its lack of rainfall.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27In some places, it hasn't rained for two million years,
0:13:27 > 0:13:34- and its dry cold air is starting to irritate my lungs. - SHE COUGHS
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Helen's developed this cough as it's hard to work the bike
0:13:40 > 0:13:44than the kite and so she's probably breathing more through her mouth
0:13:44 > 0:13:47getting very dry and cold air into her lungs
0:13:47 > 0:13:50and causing irritation for the lungs.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Today is a very special day in the history of Antarctica.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04100 years ago today,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Captain Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12His story of struggle has become one of legend.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Scott and his team struggled to the Pole, but when they got there,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20they found a Norwegian flag had already been planted. They couldn't claim it.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25So, deflated, they turned around and headed for home.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27But they didn't make it.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30They died starving and exhausted.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Eight months later, their bodies were found
0:14:32 > 0:14:37and alongside them were Scott's diaries. That's how we know what they went through.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49When you think about how long they were here,
0:14:49 > 0:14:53how mentally and physically exhausted they must have been,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57it really does leave you in awe of Scott and his team.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Unlike Capitan Scott,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Niklas and I have the advantage of three modes of transport.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Already I've decided to ditch the kites
0:15:21 > 0:15:25in an attempt to reach the South Pole on just skis and bikes.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28But my determination to pull all our equipment
0:15:28 > 0:15:32is slowing down progress, so there's a decision to be made.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36So, the question is, do we now take the bikes
0:15:36 > 0:15:41or do we ditch the bikes and ask the crew to carry them?
0:15:41 > 0:15:44I kind of feel like we should take the bikes,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46because I want to do it properly.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Pulling 20 kilos of metal isn't doing properly.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52That's far more than properly,
0:15:52 > 0:15:57it's like doing it twice as hard as properly.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Following Niklas' advice,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09I've reluctantly given up my 20 kilograms of metal
0:16:09 > 0:16:14and set out again pulling a much lighter sledge.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19I thought we'd use the cross-country skis the least, and we have so far,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22but I'm genuinely enjoying it.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24I think it's a change, it's the novelty factor.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I'm still getting used to them.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32I fall over my own feet a lot, but I've started to slide,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36which is what Niklas told me to do, because it's energy-efficient.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47For the next two days, Niklas and I ski pulling our lighter sledges.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49This is called man-hauling
0:16:49 > 0:16:54and it's the same technique Captain Scott used to get to the South Pole.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56SHE COUGHS
0:16:59 > 0:17:01My cough is starting to really bug me.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I'm trying not to cough,
0:17:03 > 0:17:07because that makes it worse, but sometimes you can't avoid it.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11I am a little bit concerned about that, if I'm honest,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13because it hurts more than anything.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16My coughing hasn't gone unnoticed.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Team paramedic Gummi decides it's time to take action.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25I'm a bit concerned that if you push too hard,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28that you might be overdoing it.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31What if we go for another hour, then we'll stop?
0:17:31 > 0:17:36An hour is going to be a make or break for us in the whole run
0:17:36 > 0:17:39but it could be more beneficial for your cough and yourself now
0:17:39 > 0:17:43if we put up camp pretty soon.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45OK, what about in half an hour?
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- Half an hour?- Yeah. - That sounds brilliant.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Right, I'm going. Let's keep it together for half an hour.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57I get my way and carry on for another half an hour.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00But a simple cough in these extreme conditions can
0:18:00 > 0:18:03turn into something very serious very quickly.
0:18:07 > 0:18:13The worst thing that could happen is this could turn into pneumonia
0:18:13 > 0:18:17and we would have to pull you from skiing.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Take a deep breath.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Gummi's concerned my cough could be pneumonia -
0:18:24 > 0:18:26a serious infection on the lungs.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28At the end of the breathing tubes
0:18:28 > 0:18:31there are clusters of tiny air sacs called alveoli.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Pneumonia causes these sacs
0:18:33 > 0:18:36to become inflamed and fill up with fluid.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39It's the combination of the freezing air and long hours
0:18:39 > 0:18:41that have given me my bad cough.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45I can hear a little bit of crackling
0:18:45 > 0:18:48in the lowest part of your lungs.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53It's not developed to pneumonia but if it gets worse,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55we'll have to put you on antibiotics
0:18:55 > 0:18:58and this could possibly exclude you
0:18:58 > 0:19:03from finishing your race, your expedition.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12I was a bit annoyed earlier, because I thought,
0:19:12 > 0:19:16I don't want to finish before we've done 20 plus miles,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19I don't want to finish before we've done x number of hours.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Actually, now I think that was a really good decision.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26I don't know what I'm trying to prove by doing 14 hours,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28because all I'm going to do is make myself ill
0:19:28 > 0:19:32and then I won't finish and then I'll just...
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Well, then I'll be gutted.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40I think Gummi made me realise that I have to look after myself
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and I have to take this seriously, and I can do that.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47So, hopefully I can finish.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53The next morning, I'm able to follow Gummi's advice
0:19:53 > 0:19:57and give my body a well-earned break
0:19:57 > 0:20:00because I've got a whole string of interviews for Sport Relief.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Oh, hello, is that BBC London?
0:20:02 > 0:20:03Is that Radio 2?
0:20:03 > 0:20:06It's Helen Skelton calling from Antarctica.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Today Sport Relief is being launched in the UK,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11so I've been doing lots of interviews.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14It's Thursday, Blue Peter's on air, so I'm talking to them as well.
0:20:14 > 0:20:15How are you, Helen, live from the Antarctic?
0:20:15 > 0:20:18This is quite amazing, isn't it?
0:20:18 > 0:20:20However, it's eating into my day and it means
0:20:20 > 0:20:23we're running out of time to do the miles that we need to do.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25We've decided to get the kites out,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27because if we want to make it to the Pole in time,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30we need to do a minimum amount of miles every day
0:20:30 > 0:20:34and today, we're just not going to have enough hours.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37So, pray for wind, people.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Not that kind of wind. That kind of wind.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48I'm delighted to be back on kites.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52I know it's a change of plan, but my wake-up call from yesterday
0:20:52 > 0:20:56means I need to get to the Pole before my cough gets worse.
0:20:56 > 0:20:57She has a bad cough,
0:20:57 > 0:21:02so it's good to use the kites to let her lungs rest for a bit.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I was tossing and turning last night thinking,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09" I shouldn't use the kites, I said I wasn't going to."
0:21:09 > 0:21:12But that doesn't actually prove anything,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15only that I'm stubborn and a bit stupid.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17We can get to the Pole in two days if we use the kites now,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20and that's what I came here to do, so I just need to do that.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26For the next day and a half, kiting conditions are fantastic,
0:21:26 > 0:21:28so we take full advantage.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo!
0:21:32 > 0:21:36In this time, we cover an amazing 72 miles.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38At the end of day 17, my cough is improving
0:21:38 > 0:21:40and the finish line isn't far off.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Tomorrow, if everything goes to plan,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49we'll make it to the South Pole and that's what this has been about.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51And it has been an adventure
0:21:51 > 0:21:54in the sense that there's been highs and lows and ups and downs
0:21:54 > 0:21:57and when you're in the middle of all that,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00it's hard to see the wood for the trees.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02It's hard to realise what you're here to do.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Today I just took a step back and thought,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08"Do you know what? I came here to get to the South Pole in one piece."
0:22:08 > 0:22:13And I don't want to tempt fate but it looks like that might happen.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Niklas and I pack up our sledges with all our kit
0:22:24 > 0:22:26for possibly the last time.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31Only 13 miles lie between us and the South Pole.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Sledge packed.
0:22:33 > 0:22:34We've a long day ahead of us,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38probably eight or nine hours of travelling.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41But if we get it right and if we get on with it,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44this is going to be the last day.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47So, I don't want to go, "Oh, just get it over with,"
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I kind of want to take it in because this is it.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52You know, this is the last bit.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57I forgot how heavy these bikes were.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04After nine miles of man-hauling at minus 45 degrees,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07we can finally see the South Pole!
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Isn't it weird to see something on the horizon?
0:23:10 > 0:23:15We've just been looking at a sea of white for a few weeks now.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Come on, sledge, nearly there.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25Oh, tune!
0:23:25 > 0:23:29I've got Elbow singing in my ear, "looking like a beautiful day."
0:23:29 > 0:23:31You're not wrong there.
0:23:31 > 0:23:38# ..it's looking like a beautiful day
0:23:40 > 0:23:44# Someone tell me how I feel
0:23:46 > 0:23:50# It's silly wrong but vivid right... #
0:23:50 > 0:23:55I don't know how I'm going to feel. I don't want to waste it.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I don't want to cry and be a sad sap.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01This is possibly the best adventure of my life
0:24:01 > 0:24:04and I'm not sure I'm ready for it to be over.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13My family is one of those families that says,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15"This woman's got loads of jackets on,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18"where do you think you're going, the South Pole?"
0:24:18 > 0:24:21It's a bit of a joke.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25I don't think they'll be able to say that any more.
0:24:25 > 0:24:32# ..it's looking like a beautiful day... #
0:24:34 > 0:24:37This is so comforting, isn't it?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40"Welcome to the South Pole. Please follow the groomed footpath."
0:24:41 > 0:24:43We're on the home straight.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Our epic 500-mile adventure
0:24:45 > 0:24:51across the world's most hostile environment is coming to an end.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55What better way to finish it than on the bikes?
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- Shall we give it a go? - Let's try it.- Come on the bikes!
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Whoo-hoo!
0:25:02 > 0:25:05With only half a mile to go, we ditch the sledges and pedal.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09I have to admit that I think it's really cool
0:25:09 > 0:25:13to arrive at the South Pole on a bike.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Many people have been here since Amundsen and Scott 100 years ago,
0:25:17 > 0:25:22but I don't think many have arrived on bikes.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33# Throw those curtains wide!
0:25:33 > 0:25:39# One day like this a year'd see me right... #
0:25:39 > 0:25:41I can see the ball!
0:25:41 > 0:25:44# Throw those curtains wide... #
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Woo-hoo!
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Slowly...
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Final...
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Woo!- Hooray!
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Oh, that is such a good feeling!
0:26:01 > 0:26:04# ..see me right, for life
0:26:04 > 0:26:10# Throw those curtains wide... #
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Thank you, Dermot.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17Oh, can you believe that we are at the South Pole?
0:26:17 > 0:26:19We're at the bottom of the world.
0:26:19 > 0:26:20I'm so proud of the fact
0:26:20 > 0:26:24that we made it using all three modes of transport.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27I'm so proud of the fact that Niklas and I, complete strangers,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29completely different people,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33yet I think we've crossed the line as pretty good friends.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Helen and I had different expectations to the trip
0:26:39 > 0:26:42but we are very good friends still today.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46This might be the proudest day of my life.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Woo-hoo!
0:26:51 > 0:26:53And if you've been inspired by my challenge,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55why don't you go the extra mile
0:26:55 > 0:26:57and get involved in Sport Relief this year?
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Get a grown-up and sign up to do the Sport Relief Mile.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05There are hundreds of events around the country and by raising money,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07you can help poor and vulnerable people
0:27:07 > 0:27:10in the UK and around the world.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14If this inspires you to give a penny or run a Sport Relief Mile,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17then I thank you from the bottom of my heart
0:27:17 > 0:27:18and the bottom of the world.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Next time, I take you behind the scenes of my polar challenge.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30I thought the crew would use a GPS or a compass,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32but apparently they just follow the penguin.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Meet the crew who supported me every step of the way
0:27:35 > 0:27:38and discover what actually happens at the South Pole.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42We set up movie nights, we have soccer tournaments, volleyball,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44we're kind of easily entertained down here.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd