The Penny Farthing Bicycle Race

"Cyclists live with pain. If you can't handle it, you will win nothing" ~ Eddy Merckx

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride." ~ John F. Kennedy

"Ever bike? Now that's something that makes life worth living!" ~ Jack London

Some time ago, I regularly visited my grandmother at her elderly care home a block from the private school that I taught at. During each visit, she eagerly shared 10 or more photo albums filled with a treasure trove of memories capturing different relatives and joyous celebrations. Among these precious images spanning back to the late 1800s, one particular photograph seized my attention. It portrayed my grandmother's great-grandfather, showing extraordinary fitness as he stood proudly beside his race bike, the Penny Farthing, adorned in black shoes, black shorts, and a sleeveless t-shirt. His legacy as a 1-mile sprinter from Boston left a memorable mark, as my grandmother, Neva, would lovingly boast about his esteemed status as a well-known cycling champion in Massachusetts. This discovery of our family's cycling history brought us immense joy and a sense of connection to our past.

At the same time, I often reminded my grandmother of the irony that over 100 years later, her grandson, me, became a cycling velodrome sprint champion in Alberta for 3 years and, at one time, ranked 5th in Canada. We would laugh at the irony. My grandmother and I experienced a sublime moment when we closely examined the three black and white pictures of this cycling champion from Massachusetts from the 1800s. We felt deeply proud, honoured, and amazed by our family's history with this exceptional athlete.

The Penny Farthing, also known as the high wheeler, was an iconic bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller back wheel. It gained popularity in the 1800s, particularly in major cities across New England. During that time, cycling clubs organized races on velodromes, outdoor tracks, and city streets. These races, which included short sprints, long-distance rides, and timed trials, provided entertainment and a competitive outlet. Some races extended over several days, adding to the suspense and excitement!

Early bicycles posed a significant challenge for riders due to their high center of gravity and the absence of brakes. This made riding safely difficult and pedalling extremely hard due to the direct drive from the pedal to the extra-large front wheel. Penny Farthing bicycle racers had exceptional strength in their glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calf muscles. Despite these obstacles, cyclists persisted, turning cycling into a beloved and positive activity symbolizing health, freedom, and progress. The increasing interest in cycling even led to the improvement of roads, the establishment of dedicated cycling paths in urban areas, and technological advancements in bicycle engineering. The perseverance of these early cyclists is genuinely inspiring.