High-wheelers make history during weekend of runaway penny-farthing success in London

There were doubtless a lot of double-takes and rubbing of spectacles in the British capital on the weekend of 11–13 October as a procession of penny-farthing bicycles traversed the city’s iconic Tower Bridge.

But the eyes of passers-by weren’t deceiving them: they really were seeing the most high-wheelers parading through central London since their Victorian heyday in the 1880s.

They weren’t here just to turn heads, though. Some of the world’s most elite penny-farthing riders (and yes, in 2024 there is a vibrant global community that continues to use the notoriously tricky-to-control contraption with its outsized front wheel and mini back wheel) had assembled for a packed weekend of fun races, tutorials and official record attempts, all overseen by GWR Adjudicators.

The action on the first two days took place at the Herne Hill Velodrome, a stunning venue hidden in a leafy suburb of south London that has been hosting pro cyclists on all manner of bicycles since 1891. GWR representatives were ably assisted by professional timekeepers Daniel Tzabar, Robert Ruszkowski and Lieze Thielemans, who carefully set up the high-tech lasers and sensors that would be used to precisely assess both the distance and speed that riders had travelled around the velodrome.

The first record of the weekend – the greatest distance on a penny farthing in one hour (female) – was taken on by Melissa Eisdell (UK). The keen horsewoman and current European Penny Farthing Racing Champion has previously commented on the comparison between her two seemingly contrasting hobbies: “It’s like riding a horse, but one without a temperament!”

Melissa Eisdell during the greatest distance on a penny farthing in one hour (female) 

She had a quite a high benchmark to beat, following in the wake of former international track racer Lizanne Wilmot of Canada, who cleared 23.41 km (14.54 mi) in Seattle, Washington, USA, on 21 July 2023.

Eisdell rose to the challenge, however, and ended the hour with a total distance of 26.199 km (16.279 mi). Incredibly, throughout the attempt her average speed did not dip below 26 km/h (16.1 mph).

The success would set the tone for the rest of the weekend where another 11 records would go on to be broken (see the full list at the end of the article).

Among them, Eisdell returned the following day to make history among female penny-farthing riders. Accompanied by Julie Woodward (UK) and Evi Dumon from Belgium as pacers, the trio took on the greatest distance on a penny farthing in one hour (female, paced).

Melissa Eisdell, supported by Julie Woodward and Evi Dumon, took on the greatest distance on a penny farthing in one hour (female, paced)

It’s believed that this was the first time that this record had ever been attempted by an all-female team. Although this particular event was taking place as long ago as the 1880s (penny farthings were invented in 1871), at the time, women were not allowed to participate in such competitions. Suffice it to say, they smashed the required threshold to claim the record, with Eisdell covering 24.785 km (15.400 mi) in the time frame.

The equivalent male record fell in dramatic style on 10 October 2019, also at Herne Hill. High-profile penny-farthing rider and star of the Global Cycling Network Chris Opie, aided by Mark Beaumont and James Lowsley-Williams (all UK), covered 35.743 km (22.210 mi). This broke a record of 35.542 km (22.085 mi) that had stood since 1886, set by William A Rowe (USA) along with three pacers in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

Riders crossing Tower Bridge in London

On Sunday, the action moved to the Lee Valley VeloDrome in Stratford, with some of the riders taking the opportunity to cycle from Herne Hill to east London, including the spectacular crossing of the River Thames over the iconic Tower Bridge.

It was at Lee Valley that arguably the most complex and high-risk record of the weekend – the longest penny-farthing stack – was set to take place, at least if measuring complexity and risk in terms of the number of people involved and potential for something to go awry that could result in a lot of injuries!

140 riders formed the longest penny-farthing stack outside the Lee Valley VeloPark

A “stack” comprises a self-supporting line of penny farthings positioned side by side, with the riders holding onto the handlebars of their neighbouring bicycles. As per GWR rules, once all the riders are in place, they must remain upright for a minimum of three minutes.

The mark to beat of 131 penny farthings had stood for more than two decades, achieved by the British Ordinary Enthusiasts on 27 July 2003.

With BBC TV/radio presenter and penny-farthing fan Jeremy Vine among their number, a total of 140 penny farthings lined up for the challenge – and thankfully, just like the rest of the weekend, everything went to plan, and a new world record was confirmed.

GWR Adjudicator Juliet Dawson, who oversaw proceedings at the longest stack, said: “Getting 140 riders on to their bikes and balancing unassisted is a complex task, but the team were very well prepared and had practised the day before, albeit with just 40 people.

“There were a couple of nail-biting moments when sections of the stack started to lean, but they managed to re-balance the line for the full three minutes to break the record. It was impressive to watch!”

The ambitious weekend-long event that brought together penny-farthing enthusiasts from across the UK, Europe and even a few from farther afield was orchestrated with military precision by former British Army officer, adventurer and founder of the UK’s Penny Farthing Club, Neil Laughton.

Rider Evi Dumon and Neil Laughton, founder of the Penny Farthing Club who organized the Penny Farthing Weekend Extravaganza

It won’t come as a surprise to hear that Laughton (who himself has set a number of records while in the lofty saddle, including one at this extravaganza) was delighted by all the records that stacked up over the course of the weekend.

“It was a dream come true,” he told GWR. “A truly extraordinary three days of action-packed penny-farthing riding and racing.

“Just gathering the greatest number of penny-farthing riders in one place was very special. Some 60 bikes riding across central London and racing circuits of the Olympic velodrome were particular highlights for me.”

Asked if the penny-farthing community tends to attract a certain type of personality, Laughton confided: “Mostly quite eccentric, curious and daring personalities who love a challenge. Penny farthings attract people who like to try the unusual, 'walk’ a different path and are happy to test their limits. But it’s not for the faint-hearted!”

And for anyone considering hopping on a penny farthing for the first time? “Just take the plunge and sign up to a three-hour Penny Farthing Club training course and bike tour in London, Bath or Brighton,” Laughton advised. “You won’t regret it.”

A weekend of high stakes and high-wheelers

Friday 11 October

Greatest distance on a penny farthing in one hour (female): Melissa Eisdell (UK) – 26.199 km (16.279 mi)

Fastest 1 km on a penny farthing with no hands (female): Evi Dumon (Belgium) – 2 min 11.998 sec

Evi Dumon riding for 1 km with no hands

Fastest 1 km on a penny farthing with no hands (male): Neil Laughton (UK) – 2 min 7.294 sec

Neil Laughton riding for 1 km with no hands

Greatest distance on a penny farthing with one leg in one hour (male): Alberto Bona (Italy) – 20.294 km (12.610 mi)

Alberto Bona riding with one leg (a pedal was removed from his penny farthing)

Saturday 12 October

Fastest 1 km on a penny farthing (female): Julie Woodward (UK) – 2 min 22.320 sec

Fastest 1 km on a penny farthing (male): Chris Opie (UK) – 1 min 30.103 sec

Largest penny-farthing race in a velodrome: 58 participants

A group of 58 entrants took part in a race at the Herne Hill Velodrome

Fastest speed on a penny farthing (female): Evi Dumon (Belgium) – 38.09 km/h (23.67 mph)

Dumon taking on the fastest speed record based on two 100-m runs in opposite directions with the average pace calculated

Fastest speed on a penny farthing (male): Roger Davies (UK) – 39.70 km/h (24.67 mph); then broken by Guy Banham (UK) - 41.56 km/h (25.82 mph)

Roger Davies first set the male fastest speed record...

...but the record was swiftly surpassed by Guy Banham, who raced during a heavy downpour

Greatest distance on a penny farthing in one hour (female, paced): 24.785 km (15.400 mi), achieved by Melissa Eisdell (UK), with Julie Woodward (UK) and Evi Dumon (Belgium)

Sunday 13 October

Longest penny-farthing stack: 140 penny farthings in a line

Were you part of these record attempts?

Get your Certificate of Participation for the longest penny-farthing stack and the largest penny-farthing race in a velodrome here.

Header photo credit: Sally Bliss