I rode one when I was about 16. Never again, no wonder the next version of the bicycle was introduced as the "safety bicycle"

Braking? Well simple physics suggests that any braking system that works thru the wheels will only be good for 0.1 g before sending the rider over the handle bars. That's about 50 metres to stop from 36kph.

Fortunately I was paying attention at high school, did the quick sums and decided the best way to stop was by side swiping the wall of the garage. I lived to tell the tale. I only did one lap.

Geez one mistake there and goodbye crown jewels Landy

NotWal said...
How is that $25,000 value arrived at, hours spent making it or insurance value or dreaming?

apparently thats what shes insured for . cost $10,00 to buy back in the early 80's
and yes on my first attempt to get on I snagged the base of the seat suspension sring and took home a large bruise that only wifey and I will notice

How do you stop, and wouldn't you fall off if you did?

Looks like fun all the same - great post.

What was/is the actual purpose of them bicycles ?

southace said...
What was/is the actual purpose of them bicycles ?

Riding?

i guess your shorts worked like the ol' peg and cardboard in the spokes?

Braver man than I, well done

First thing that sprang to mind was this myspace.com/jackthompsonofficial/music/song/mulga-bill-s-bicycle-74727451-117294239?play=1
was one of my favourites as a kid.

IIRC, the little trailer (with a penguin) behind her penny farthing was actually for a bit more stability- the trailer was extra weight to stop it tipping forward if she had to stop in a hurry.

I think she was caught on google street view in cottesloe

name of Armstrong? and is a top notch racer

stephen

What does a list of buckets have to do with a penny farthing bicycle?

Several years back on the ferry from Philip Island to Crib Point there was an English guy who was in the process of riding around Australia on a penny farthing. His helmet was a pith hat. Still, that wasn't as strange as seeing a lycra clad cyclist riding along a winding country road on a unicycle.

Is it just me- or can I see a 48" fibreglass wheel rolling out of the Kalgoorlie Skunkworks soon

stephen

landyacht .....here is a site you may be interested in, 'National Penny Farthing Championships' very interesting web site

I was just looking at the Makers Fair website again and clicked on the Flickr photos.

Great photos and some very interesting gadgets and costumes. What I liked was that there was young and old getting into it. If the SA fair is as good will be a great event. The big 4 wheeler penny farthing was quite a sight. Tassie hosts the National Penny Farthing Championships, and this year the person responsible for the web site accidental spelt it as the "Penny Farting Championship", now corrected of course.

They should have tinkerers classes in school, getting kids interested in things.

$4.95 but it is a little on the small side.