The Knutsford Great Penny Farthing Race

Penny-farthing riders from around the world have taken to the streets in Knutsford.
The Knutsford Great Penny-farthing race is a totally unique event held once only every ten years and challenges riders to a three-hour endurance test.
Just 50 teams were allowed to compete in this once-in-a-generation race, with competitors from as far away as New Zealand, the USA, and Australia who joined racers from all over Europe. The race features Original Dandy Horse Machines, Bone-Shakers, and Penny Farthing Cycles dating from the middle of the 19th Century.
The penny-farthing was invented in 1871 by James Starley, considered to be the "Father of the Bicycle Industry” and was named after the largest and the smallest copper coins in the currency at that time.
The race is run over a one-kilometre course and lasts for three hours. Riders can either ride solo or in a team. A riding team may consist of up to a maximum of four riders.
They are also allowed a small team of mechanics or support staff in the pit stop area. For many the actual riding isn't that difficult; it's just the getting on and getting off that is challenging. Several thousand spectators lined the Moorside Circuit and seemed completely mesmerised by the spectacle, after all, it is increasingly unusual to see one of these bicycles in the 21st Century let alone the volume competing in this race.
Weather conditions were near perfect for the race, being sunny or overcast, a little breezy, and not too hot. Some competitors were content in sleek racing lycra whereas others wore more period attire, perhaps in respect to their machines.
All of the cyclists found the course challenging especially navigating corners where there were lots of advancing competitors. The last race’s winner, back in 2000, Jim Brailsford held on to his solo title completing 107 laps while the much-coveted team honours went to team ‘Spend a Penny’ which consisted of Neil Masten, John Dodgin, and of course their 1882 original mode of transport which completed 95 laps of the circuit.
But for many just finishing the race was reward enough for their tired limbs; at least they’ve got another ten years to rest and recuperate.
The event raised money for ShelterBox, a charity that provides shelter and survival equipment after world disasters.
#cycling #knutsford

[@Rottingboards]

Great fun!