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.