Canadian woman breaks speed records on penny farthing bicycle, rides at 26 mph!

A Canadian woman rode her penny farthing bicycle into the record books last December, after she reached shocking speeds on the curious contraption known for its asymmetric wheels.

Lizanne Wilmot completed her wheelie-great record attempts for fastest speed on a penny farthing (female) and fastest 1 km on a penny farthing (female) at the Tasmanian Christmas Carnivals in Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, on New Years Eve last year.

And she rang in the New Year with two new record titles, after racing 1 km (1,000 m) in just 1 minute 52.750 seconds and reaching top speeds of 26 mph!

In comparison, the average speed on a regular bicycle is around 14.1 mph (22.3 km/h). 

“[The] pressure was on,” said the lifelong athlete from Brampton, Ontario, when reflecting upon her achievements. She was aiming to take two records in a short time period – but Lizanne knew she had to give it a good shot, saying: “I always love a good challenge.”

The penny farthing is an early style of bicycle popular in the Victorian era, known for its whimsically-uneven wheels and the height of the seat for the rider. 

And while it may be out-of-fashion now in favour of safer styles of cycles, Lizanne is a competitive person – and loves competing in the unique sport. 

So after securing permission from the competition’s organizers to race her penny farthing on their tracks, she started preparing for the races, which took place on 29 and 31 of December because of inclement weather. 

“Both records are absolutely what I’m training for,” she explained. 

As a track sprinter and speed skater, “short, explosive, high cadence” races always appealed to her anyways, and she was no stranger to the unusual bike either – holding the world record for farthest distance on a penny farthing in one hour (female) for over a year before Melissa Eisdell (UK) took her title.

Lizanne pushed her pedals to the metal at her first race on the 29th, taking home the 1 km record in just 1 minute 52.750 seconds – 30 seconds faster than previous record holder Julie Woodward (UK)!

But her attempt at the fastest speed was more difficult, as she battled strong headwinds and tailwinds from the nearby turbulent Bass Straight waterway separating Tasmania from Australia. 

However, Lizanne was able to push through and take her second record title of the trip, and she averaged a top speed of 25.92 mph (41.709 km/h)!

Congratulations, Lizanne – you’re the wheel deal!