Derby firms provide kit and custom tandem for Greg James's Comic Relief challenge

Two Derby businesses have supplied specialist kit and a custom-built tandem to support Greg James's 1,000 km Comic Relief cycling challenge from Weymouth to Edinburgh between 13 and 20 March.

Two Derby businesses are supplying specialist kit and a custom-built tandem for BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James's upcoming Comic Relief cycling challenge. The ride is planned as an eight-day journey from Weymouth to Edinburgh to raise money for Red Nose Day, with stages taking place between 13 and 20 March. Sportswear company HUUB is providing cycling kit that includes special shorts and waterproof outerwear. Mercian Cycles of Little Eaton has hand-built a lightweight steel-framed, hand-painted red tandem to James's measurements and supplied a blue back-up bike, along with four standard bikes for those joining parts of the route. What we know: - Greg James will cycle about 1,000 km (621 miles) on a tandem from Weymouth to Edinburgh between 13 and 20 March. - HUUB supplied specialist cycling kit including shorts and waterproof outerwear to support the physical demands of the challenge. - Mercian Cycles built a bespoke lightweight steel-framed red tandem to James's dimensions and provided a blue back-up bike plus four standard bikes of various sizes. - The eight-day challenge will include a series of surprise guests who will join James on the tandem at different stages. - Comic Relief said the miles pedalled will support projects providing food, shelter and safety for people in need. Summary: The collaboration brings local sportswear and bicycle manufacturing expertise to a national fundraising effort for Comic Relief. The ride is scheduled for 13–20 March and organisers say the journey will help fund projects offering food, shelter and protection for people in need.