Old fashioned penny farthing bike race returns to Maryland after pandemic pause
‘Penny Farthing’ bicycle enthusiasts from all over the world zipped through the streets of historic Frederick, Maryland on Saturday, as the city’s annual High Wheel race resumed for the first time since 2018.
Over 40 riders mounted the distinctive high-wheel bicycles that have a large front wheel and much smaller back wheel, which were all the rage way back in the 1870s and 80s.
But it was Swedish phenom Per-Olof Kippel who took home the trophy in the championship race, after finishing first back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.
The National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race first got underway in 2012, bringing Penny Farthing enthusiasts together in Frederick, which is known for its skyline of historic churches.
“The primary appeal to this, to me for this race is just the group of people that it brings together. I can’t imagine any other event that brings this group of people together,” said 2022 participant Steven Wetdles.
While some of the bikes are original models dating back to the 19th century, others are replicas or new designs.
The penny farthing was given its nickname because of its unique design, with the larger British penny representing the front wheel and the smaller farthing coin representing the back.
The high wheel was the result of attempts to improve on early bicycle designs. The large front wheel made for a faster, smoother ride over rough terrain, but also for a perilous fall should the rider lose their balance.
Swedish champion Kippel managed to stay in his saddle all the way to the finish line, however.
“It’s a fantastic atmosphere. And just a great, great experience. It’s worth the travel from Sweden,” he said.
The penny farthing was eventually made redundant by modern bicycles, but for the diehards who took part in Saturday’s race, there is no substitute for an old-fashioned high wheel.
