A gathering of Penny Farthing enthusiasts in east London on Sunday led to the breaking of 12 Guinness World Records, marking a remarkable day for these vintage cyclists. The event, which saw participation from 140 riders—including BBC presenter Jeremy Vine—set a new record for the largest number of Penny Farthing riders in an upright stack, surpassing the previous record of 131.
To qualify for this record, all participants in the stack had to maintain their positions for over three minutes before embarking on a ride from the Herne Hill velodrome to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park velodrome. A spokesperson for Guinness World Records confirmed the successful completion of 12 record attempts by the group and individuals throughout the event, including the largest number of Penny Farthing racers in a velodrome setting.
Organizers hailed the gathering at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park velodrome in Stratford as the “greatest assembly of Penny Farthing riders in London since the 1880s.”
Among the cyclists was Robert ON Torto, who described the Penny Farthing as his “primary mode of transport.” He remarked, “This is the only thing I ride. So if I’m going to work or running errands, this is my mode of transportation; I ride nothing else.”
Fellow enthusiast Stuart Horth shared his perspective on riding the unique bicycle, stating, “It looks scary, but once you’re used to it, it’s just a great way of getting around and a bit of fun.”
Neil Laughton, the founder of the Penny Farthing Club, praised the bicycle’s simplicity and charm: “It’s just a great invention. It has no brakes, no gears, solid rubber tires, and no suspension—it’s the original bicycle. We’ve got people here from all over Europe and even some from the States and beyond.”
The event not only celebrated the legacy of the Penny Farthing but also fostered a sense of community among riders who share a passion for this iconic mode of transportation.
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