Today is the BBC’s annual Children in Need cross-media fundraisingathon, with lots of people doing all sorts of things for charity. One of the more relevant to us here is Team Midland Racing’s 24hr Trackathon, in which a whole bunch of people endeavour to transport a Pudsey handlebar mascot non-stop around the Calshot velodrome near Southampton for the eponymous all-day period.

What does this have to do with mountain biking, you may ask? Well, we mention it for two reasons. First, riding the track is great fun, will make you faster and – attractively at this time of year – takes place indoors. But more importantly, one of the teams taking part is HVMS South, headed up by BM member Phil Glasgow and made up largely of riders who’ve built up the bulk of their pedalling miles off-road.

That sets them apart from most of the others taking part, with other teams including a variety of frighteningly fast road, TT and track racers plus a guest appearance by the Team GB Paralympians Darren Kenney, Simon Richardson and Rob Ellis.

The Trackathon got under way yesterday evening and is currently in full swing. Each team takes to the track for an hour’s stint, and the target is to maintain a 20mph average over the full 24 hours. You can find out more about the whole thing at www.tmracing.org.uk/tmpudsey24hr/ and the all-important sponsorship link is at www.justgiving.com/tmpudsey24hr.