He said: “I was a Ride East Midlands beginner at the start of this challenge, but downloading the app was very simple.
“I didn’t need to set up an account, or any of that nonsense, which meant I could make a swift exit out of our studio car park and head for the bus station.
“The app’s directions were very clear, well broken down and easy to use.
“However, I’d heard feedback that the Ride app overcomplicates journeys and adds too many bus options for short distances.
“So when it suggested getting the 1C bus to the train station, a journey I used to regularly walk, I was nervous.
“Was I handing the win over to my rival Matt before I’d even left Derby city centre?
“But I kept faith with the new £4m app and sure enough it paid off! I arrived just in time for the 10:59 train to Nottingham which I would probably have missed on foot.
“Cruising across the county boundary by rail, I was confident of being the first over the finish line.
“But stepping off the platform, I had one last niggling doubt.
“Would the Ride app send me on an unnecessary bus ride from Nottingham train station to BBC Nottingham?
“Fortunately, common sense prevailed and it suggested the short walk around the corner and, hopefully, on to victory.
“Palms sweating, fingers crossed, I entered the studio in search of Barlow, praying I wouldn’t see his smug face sat in the office.”