With ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ fever mounting, we have some handy Victorian tips for riding a Penny Farthing. Have a read then visit the Workhouse Museum to try riding one – it’s not as easy as you may think!
- The Penny Farthing was the first machine to be called a bicycle. Its name came from its large front wheel and smaller back wheel, which resembled the largest and smallest coins of the time.
- The Penny Farthing bicycle was designed by British Victorian inventor, James Starley.
- The larger the front wheel, the further you could travel on one rotation of the pedals.
- Popular in the late 19th century, the Penny Farthing was usually only purchased by wealthy men.
- Victorian ladies loved to ride Penny Farthing Bicycles, even in a dress!
- A Victorian Penny Farthing tyre has NO air inside – it’s solid rubber! The one gain is that the bicycle is completely puncture free.
- When coasting downhill, riders had to take their feet off the pedals and put them over the handlebars.
- The National Penny Farthing Championship races are held every year in Tasmania, Australia.
- When riding a Victorian Penny Farthing, one should always look ahead and enjoy the ride. Iconic Penny Farthings had little, if NO braking system.
- In 2006, Joff Summerfield spent over two years riding around the world on a Penny Farthing.