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Greg James's Comic Relief bike sells for £11,000

Matt WeigoldDerby
BBC A man in black cycling gear, a red helmet and a red nose is leaning forward on a red tandem bike. There are red barriers in the street which read "Comic Relief Red Nose Day" with people stood behind them taking photographs on their phones.BBC
BBC Radio 1's Greg James rode from Dorset to Edinburgh for charity

The tandem bike ridden 1,000km (630 miles) by BBC Radio 1's Greg James for Comic Relief has been bought by an anonymous bidder at auction for £11,000.

The breakfast show presenter pedalled the two-seater through England, Wales and Scotland, from Weymouth, Dorset, arriving to roaring crowds at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium on 20 March.

Derby-based Mercian Cycles hand-built the one-off custom bike specifically for the cycling challenge, which raised more than £4m for charity even before the bike sale.

"To make a bike for that kind of challenge is amazing, and the fact they've managed to get 11 grand for the tandem is the icing on the cake," said Mercian mechanic Bob Smith.

Along the way, James's second saddle was filled by special guests including comedian Joe Lycett, fellow Radio 1 host Jamie Laing and, in a surprise appearance, the Prince of Wales.

BBC/PA Media Two men in black cycling gear are riding a red tandem bike through the countryside. They are both wearing red helments.BBC/PA Media
Prince William hopped on the rear saddle, pedalling for about 30 minutes through the South Yorkshire countryside

Mercian Cycles, which has been making bikes since 1946 and was rescued from liquidation in 2024, built the lightweight steel-framed, hand-painted red tandem to James's exact dimensions, along with a blue back-up bike.

The company also provided four standard bikes used by those joining James on the challenge.

Before setting off from Weymouth on 13 March, James hailed the bike as a "beautiful thing" that will "hopefully help me raise a huge sum of money for Comic Relief".

Smith said the Comic Relief commission was "instantly very exciting" and commended the radio presenter for a "brilliant" achievement.

"It's amazing on many different levels. He raised an incredible amount - four million pounds," said Smith, who said the build had raised the firm's profile.

During his tearful arrival into Murrayfield Stadium on Red Nose Day, 20 March, James said the ride had been a "struggle" but an "amazing" experience.

"The thing I'll remember the most is seeing the joy from everyone and pushing through the pain to get to that joy," he told BBC Radio 1 listeners.

A man in a red helmet and cycling gear is in tears. There is a man one side of him holding a blue microphone and a woman the other side of him holding a red microphone. Behind him, a crowd of people sit in a open air stadium.
James said the ride had been a "struggle" but an "amazing" experience

Mercian donated the tandem bike to Comic Relief and the successful £11,000 bid will go to the charity.

Smith said he was "pleased and relieved" the bike had sold for such a notable amount.

Comic Relief chief executive Samir Patel said the challenge had "captured the nation's attention", and showed "the force of good when we come together, helping to raise funds for people who are struggling to eat, sleep and feel safe right now".

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