The first large-wheeled pillars were ridden in the 1870s. Drivers returned to the streets for a good-natured race in Frederick, Maryland, after a pandemic hiatus.
12:14•Updated 12:20
A breath of the past world and its cycling culture was seen on Saturday in Maryland, USA.
40 competitors pedaled through the city on prototypes of today’s bikes, penny farthings.
Race veteran, American David Skidmore says museum cycling is about work.
– This is a sport for young men. The guys just pushed past, it felt like I was pedaling in my place. I’m satisfied that I got through the race in this heat, Skidmore mused.
The farthest participant in the competition came from Pohjola. Swedish Per-Olof Skippel said the experience was worth the long journey.
Some of the bikes are made according to 19th century models, some are newer designs.
The bike model’s nickname “penny farthing” comes from the former British quarterpenny coins. The larger coin represented the front wheel and the smaller the rear wheel.