Bike and kit used for Comic Relief challenge goes on display

A Derby made bike and kit used by Radio 1 presenter Greg James in his recent Comic Relief cycling challenge has gone on display at Derby Museums’ Museum of Making.

The tandem, made by Mercian Cycles, and kit, supplied by HUUB was used by Greg for the ‘Longest Ride for Red Nose Day’, which saw him ride 1,000 kilometres from Weymouth to Edinburgh – raising over £4 million for good causes in the process.

The tandem – nicknamed ‘Tando Norris’ by Radio 1 listeners – is now scheduled to be auctioned off by BBC Radio 1 to raise even more funds for Comic Relief.

Until the successful bidder takes over, the bike will be on display at the Museum of Making to celebrate the city’s role in powering such a successful fundraising campaign.

Dr Alex Rock, director of commercial and operations at Derby Museums Trust, said: “This was too good an offer to turn down.

“Mercian is a truly iconic Derby maker, and the tandem has delighted crowds all over the country.

“At the Museum of Making, we celebrate Derby’s incredible history of making and engineering, and Mercian are right up there with the very best.”

Bob Smith, from Mercian Cycles, said: “It’s been a huge honour to be part of Greg James’ amazing fundraising effort while creating such a fantastic machine for Greg and others to revel in.

“We hope the winner of the auction enjoys many years and many thousands more kilometres on it.”

Dean Jackson, founder of HUUB, said: “Having the world’s most famous tandem return to its home of Derby is so good to see.

“Tando will soon be up for auction and her final visit to Derby is a delight.

“We were excited to celebrate HUUB’s partnership with Mercian on the ‘Longest Ride’, and we are both proud as companies to have created products made in Derby to support Comic Relief 2026.”

‘Tando Norris’, alongside Greg James’ cycling kit, is now available to view in the Gateway Gallery at the Museum of Making.