Wheels of fortune: world’s largest and smallest penny-farthing bikes unveiled in London
During an international cycling event in the heart of London, UK, on 13 June, a little time was set aside from the professional races for something a bit more quirky… but certainly no less challenging!
Thousands of spectators that both lined the streets and were tuning in from around the globe bore witness to five world record attempts as talented riders mounted their wheeled steeds – of all shapes and sizes – in a bid to make cycling history.
GWR Adjudicator Juliet Dawson and Senior Managing Editor Adam Millward attended on the sunny afternoon to oversee proceedings and make sure the attempts adhered to all the rules – and ultimately if they had been successful.
If based on scale alone, the first record on the roster inevitably made the biggest impression on the assembled onlookers. Already with multiple record titles to his name, the head of the Penny Farthing Club, Neil Laughton (UK), was this time seeking to demonstrate the largest rideable penny farthing ever constructed.
Penny-farthings or “high bicycles” – famed for their giant front wheel and small back wheel – were developed in the second-half of the 19th century. Their now-common name derives from a large coin (penny) and a small coin (farthing) that were in circulation in the UK at the time. Riding them was a popular hobby, particularly among the middle and upper classes of late Victorian and early Edwardian society, and there were even dedicated competitive races using them.
In order for the largest rideable penny farthing to be recognized by GWR, Laughton had to cover a minimum distance of 100 m (330 ft) – without any mishaps. The behemoth bike, dubbed “Big Bertha”, stood 282 cm (9 ft 3 in) tall to the handlebars and had a front-wheel diameter of 254 cm (100 in) – this is double the size of a typical penny farthing’s big wheel.
The bike was so massive that Laughton had to wear stilts just to be able to reach the pedals! It’s quite likely that even the world’s tallest living man, the 2.46-m (8-ft 1-in) Türkiye’s Sultan Kösen would need some form of leg extenders if he were to ever find himself atop this extraordinary bicycle.
After several minutes’ preparation and with the tension building, Laughton set off to huge cheers from the crowds and with live commentary provided by BBC radio host Jeremy Vine (who himself is an amateur penny-farthing enthusiast, who took part in the longest penny-farthing stack in 2024).
Laughton was accompanied by a number of assistants running alongside, who were there to try to catch and steady the bike should at any point it look close to toppling; they were also needed after crossing the finish line as penny farthings notoriously do not have brakes! As it turned out, the ride couldn’t have gone smoother, with the consummate showman Laughton even finding time to wave to the spectators.
After surviving this ultimate high ride, the jubilant rider told GWR: “I was born in London, worked in London and honestly, after riding the world’s largest penny-farthing bicycle that’s ever been built, I’m just pleased I didn’t die in London today!”
Of all the penny-farthing records that has set before, which among them include the fastest no-handed 1 km (2 min 7.294 sec), he said that this was “certainly the largest, certainly the most spectacular and certainly the most terrifying!”
Next up was not one but two young riders who would be attempting the polar-opposite record: the smallest rideable penny farthing. One after the other, sister and brother Flo and Finn Woodward (aged seven and six, respectively) took to the course riding a penny farthing named “Little Bee”.
By comparison to Big Bertha, this bijou bike stood 62 cm (2 ft) off the ground (akin to the world’s shortest woman, Jyoti Amge) and had a front wheel spanning just 29 cm (11.4 in) – the same as a standard dinner plate!
The unflappable siblings both made it look easy, going the distance on their first attempts to jointly secure this unprecedented record.
They now join their mum, Julie Woodward, as members of the GWR club – in 2024, she set the title of fastest 1 km on a penny farthing (female), clocking 2 min 22.230 sec, during a weekend in London that was packed with penny-farthing record action. The record has since been claimed by a Canadian rider.
Flo and Finn’s dad, Rolf, meanwhile – who it won’t come as a surprise is also an avid fan of penny farthings – is now pondering his own potential record attempt in the near future so as not to feel left out!
Building Big Bertha and Little Bee
Both the largest and smallest penny farthings were handcrafted by Dan Bolwell of Australia, who is better known as “Penny Farthing Dan”. Like a proud dad, he was at the finish line in London to witness the fruits of several months of his labour as his marvellous contraptions proved their superlative credentials.
Speaking to GWR afterwards, Bolwell said: “The reaction’s been absolutely phenomenal. People get so excited, and all they can do is smile or [be] shocked. I do wonder if there’s anybody who’s never seen a penny farthing before in their life [thinking that Big Bertha is normal size…!]”
As to whether he thinks his penny farthings could one day be exceeded, he was matter-of-fact: “A bigger or smaller bike might be possible, but I think when we go beyond this point, there poses some new challenges and some harder decisions to make, particularly around the strength and weight.”
Enter the one-wheel wonder
The record-breaking riding action didn’t stop there, though. Next up was Roger Davies (UK), who has set a number of GWR titles on both one and two wheels over the years. Possibly his most momentous feat to date was the fastest Land’s End/John o’Groats journey by unicycle: 6 days 8 hr 43 min, achieved alongside fellow British unicyclist Sam Wakeling on 12–19 September 2009.
However tough that epic crossing of the UK might have been, Roger admitted he was probably feeling the most nervous he had ever been at the start of his latest record challenge, despite the fact it would only be covering 100 m. And for good reason – he was seeking to do it while unsighted!
For safety reasons, Roger was permitted guides to travel alongside him who could give audible directions – but crucially they were not permitted to make contact with him or the unicycle at any point.
Things didn’t get off to a good start as, only seconds into his first attempt, Roger collided into a barrier and fell – fortunately his injuries were limited and he insisted that he wanted to try again.
Thankfully, the second run ended without any further incidents. Crossing the finish line in a time of 37.31 sec, Roger becomes the inaugural record holder of the fastest 100 m on a unicycle while blindfolded, setting the mark that others will now have to beat.
It was a fabulous day with five GWR titles awarded for some extraordinary feats of bravery, skill and focus by boys and girls aged six to 62. Having thousands of spectators cheering you on was a little unnerving but wonderful at the same time. Thank you to the team at Guinness World Records for your support and to the City of London Nocturne for facilitating our attempts in the middle of their great cycling event – Neil Laughton, founder of the UK Penny Farthing Club
Last but by no means least to take to the record-breaking spotlight was Henrik Hedström, who had travelled over from Sweden for this biking bonanza. His vehicle of choice was a penny farthing – though a normal-sized version, rather than the two extreme examples that had preceded him.
Henrik Hedström riding a penny farthing while juggling three balls. Credit: Chris Keller-Jackson @crankphoto
Following in a long line of magnificent multitasking record breakers, Henrik’s challenge was to not just go the distance without holding the handlebars in the quickest time, but to do so while… continuously juggling!
After dropping one of three balls near the start line on his first official attempt, he recouped and stepped things up a gear (not that penny farthings have gears!) on attempt number two. That time, he sped down the road in a lightning-quick 19.87 sec to claim the fastest 100 m on a penny farthing while juggling.
Today was a brilliant reminder that record breaking can be joyful, unusual and incredibly skilful all at once. The Penny Farthing Club has become a real force in this unique corner of cycling, with a growing list of Guinness World Records titles that celebrate the skill, bravery and character of the sport. What stood out most was the mix of people involved, from experienced riders to the next generation of penny farthing enthusiasts, all willing to take on something genuinely challenging in front of a live crowd – Juliet Dawson, Guinness World Records Adjudicator
It may have been more than a century since these old streets of London had been witness to this many penny farthings, but it’s safe to say that while they are no longer in their heyday, these beautiful bikes are still making a big impression in 2026. Long may there be talented riders who dare to take to their saddles – however high or low they might be. The world – and the GWR record books – would certainly be a duller place without penny farthings (and indeed unicycles).
Discover more quirky hobbies and activities in our dedicated Sports & Fitness page.