Derby’s Museum of Making Hosts Greg James’ Comic Relief Tandem

Derby’s Museum of Making Hosts Greg James’ Comic Relief Tandem

The Mercian Cycles tandem will be on display at the Museum of Making for a short time before being auctioned off by BBC Radio 1 for Comic Relief

https://derbymuseums.org/news/derbys-museum-of-making-hosts-greg-james-comic-relief-tandem

Derbyshire residents are encouraged to get on their bike to view a tandem made famous by BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James’ exploits for Comic Relief. The tandem, made in Derby by the historic Mercian Cycles, was used by Greg James in his recent ‘Longest Ride for Red Nose Day’, completing over 1,000 kilometres from Weymouth to Edinburgh and raising over £4 million for good causes in the process.

The tandem – nicknamed Tando Norris by Radio 1 listeners – was joined throughout the ride by another iconic Derby brand, with Greg James wearing clothing created by sports performance specialists HUUB.

The tandem 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 Derby’s 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, says: “This was too good an offer to turn down. Mercian are 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. We can’t wait to open our doors and delight the crowds with this wonderful piece of engineering, even though we might only have it for a week or two!”

Bob Smith, of Mercian Cycles, added: “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, commented: “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 are 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 in Derby. For opening times, please see here: https://derbymuseums.org/museum-of-making/visit/

Press Call: There will be an opportunity for interviews on gallery at the Museum of Making at 3.45pm on Thursday 25 March 2026 with the following people:

• Baggy Shanker MP, Derby North
• Jeremy Murphy, Co-Owner, Mercian Cycles
• Dean Jackson, Founder, HUUB
• Dr Alex Rock, Director of Commercial and Operations, Derby Museums

Please RSVP to Zoë Crew, Marketing and Communications Manager, on zoe@derbymuseums.org / 01332 643818 by 1pm on Thursday 25 March 2026.