Commute on a penny farthing?

graeme_s-2

While getting soaked on the way home today, I saw a guy riding a penny farthing! It was a fairly modern looking affair, with a couple of panniers attached to a rack on the "penny". There were several white signs attached to the big front wheel, but I couldn't see what they said as I was too far away.

He was wearing a high viz jacket and a helmet. I think the high viz was probably surplus to requirements, as he couldn't have been more visible if he had a flashing light and a flag attached to his head!

I saw him negotiate a very busy roundabout in heavy rain during rush hour, and the amount of room he got was unbelievable. It was like everyone in a car just stopped and looked at him.

I might consider it as a commuting bike just to get that sort of respect and space on the road!

Juju_uk_68

Was it this chap?

click for link

Pennyfarthing1880

Yes, I also ride a Penny and you usually do get lots of space and respect. The only problem in town is the lack of brakes and the time taken to dismount. I have been known to dismount in a hurry but you need space for this. Best to plan very much ahead. I do not think they will catch on as a commuter.
Happy cycling.

Mike Healey

Can a penny Farthing stop on a dime?

andrewc3142

Cool. Apart, maybe from the hi-viz jacket and helmet

passout

My dad used to ride one to advertise my Grandads bike shop in Sheldon, Sollihul. He reckons they were super fast. They used to race them you know?

2wheelzgood

Mike Healey wrote:

Can a penny Farthing stop on a dime?

six of then can stop on a..

sixpence

boom boom :oops:

Bassjunkieuk

What's the FCN rating of that then? I reckon it's in the sinclair CX5 i.e hens teeth bonus.....

I'm hardly surprised he got a wide berth on the roundabout on such an un-usual bike, having said that I'd still fear to take it round Elephant and Castle as some drivers have problems spotting buses on that one!

downfader

2 weeks ago I saw two lads on unicycles... both unrelated but on the same day and within 10 minutes of each other. :shock:

Bassjunkieuk

downfader wrote:

2 weeks ago I saw two lads on unicycles... both unrelated but on the same day and within 10 minutes of each other. :shock:

I used to pass a school kid carrying a uni-cycle on some of my commutes, never actually saw him riding it tho but it's sure beats a brompton

richk

I used to regularly see a student riding into the University on a unicycle (usually he was heading for the medical school). Presume he's finished now as didn't see him last year.