Penny farthing.

[Huntsman]

Anybody got one? Or had a go? Raced one?

I've a long time itch to have one and it needs scrathching.

[sideways man]

Me too! Though as I’m a short arse it’ll probably never happen. Following this with interest.

[Huntsman]

sideways man said:

Me too! Though as I’m a short arse it’ll probably never happen. Following this with interest.

Looks like just the 2 of us in the inaugural PH Penny Farthing Race.

[Gary29]

I'd love a go on one. That's as much as I can add to the thread!

I'm guessing they are eye wateringly expensive, if you are able to buy one at all?

[louiebaby]

They're not that expensive, but not a cheap thing to try either...

https://www.unicycle.uk.com/penny-farthing/complet...

I too would like a go, but can't afford to invest. I should be able to go the fastest though, as I have very long legs, so could ride a larger front wheel, meaning a longer gear.

Probably.

[lufbramatt]

sideways man said:

Me too! Though as I’m a short arse it’ll probably never happen. Following this with interest.

When I was in San Diego a few years back in the park where the Zoo is, there was some sort of penny farthing club meet going on, there were all different sizes being ridden, the smaller ones looked to have normal bike size front wheels and were being ridden by kids and ladies. Looked like great fun! (although most of the riders had a bit of a "steampunk" thing going on too)

IIRC GCN did a video about Mark Beaumont's hour record attempt on a penny farthing, was a good watch.

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 27th November 10:43

[sinbaddio]

Here you go OP!

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/742

[Huntsman]

sinbaddio said:

Here you go OP!

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/742

Brilliant!

[TwistingMyMelon]

[quote=sinbaddio]Here you go OP!

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/742

[/qu
Good find

[Huntsman]

Bizarre co-incidence!

We had some builders doing work in the garden which required clearing some hedges/shrubbery, they found what I think is a penny farthing wheel.

Solid rubber tyre. 36" diameter. Not visible in this shot, but there is the remains of spokes.

[anonymous-user]

Made in England

https://richardsofengland.co.uk

[CoupeKid]

I saw modern Penny Farthing racing at some evening event at Smithfield meat market a few years ago.

Just watching it scared me stless.

When the guys were really going for it the little wheel was coming off the ground, especially around corners, so they were effectively riding a huge unicycle.

Amazingly nobody crashed but I believe they were regularly lethal back in the day, hence the Rover Safety Cycle.

[edit] Just remembered that about 9 years ago I was on the ferry from Harwich to Denmark, when it still ran, and there was some old boy on it taking his Penny Farthing for a ride across Denmark. We got talking to him briefly and he said he had taken the Penny Farthing up the Hardknock (sp) pass. Penny Farthing riders: Made differently to the rest of us!

Edited by CoupeKid on Tuesday 29th January 12:32

[option click]

I've ridden the Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders sportives - both times there was a guy riding the cobbles on a penny farthing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF2_62mCl8M