You’ve mastered the bike as well as the one-wheeler, and are now looking for other mountains to summit.
Which way will you turn?
One of the options before you is to get into a new discipline. For instance, if you previously have focused on touring, maybe you could try trail riding or racing. You could also get into trick riding, or consider a unicycle-mounted sport like hockey.
Another of the main options is to experiment with other machines – that is, odd bikes.
Case in point, the penny farthing bike, an odd bike with a disproportionately large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel.
It’s not a gimmick, either, and will really test your skills.
But why would you learn to ride one, other than the fact that it’s something new?
Here are just a few good reasons.
It’s a Challenge
Make no mistake about it, mounting a penny farthing bike is not impossible, but it definitely isn’t easy. In some ways it might even be harder than getting in the saddle of a unicycle.
But, it’s a new skill, and so is learning to ride one. Without a chain drive, and with such a larger front wheel (as well as brakes attached only to the rear one) pennies ride and handle very differently from other bikes.
It’s Fun
Riding high on a penny farthing is something that is best experienced, not read about. That’s all we can say.
It should also be noted that, in their day, pennies were the fastest machines on the road – in the hands of a skilled rider, in some cases even faster than horses and early automobiles. You can really get these things to move – which is part of the fun of learning how to ride one.
It Will Expose You to a Rare Corner of History
Penny farthing bikes were one of the first bikes that even had that term applied to them. Before the penny farthing, there was the velocipede, also known as the boneshaker, which sported a far inferior design.
It wasn’t until these odd bikes, penny farthings, that is, became more popular that the term bicycle caught on, and it has stuck to the present day.
Besides, in the late 1800s, these bikes were very popular among those who were fortunate enough to be able to afford one.
So as enjoyable as it is to learn to ride one, it’s also an indelible part of history.
It Could Improve Your Athletic Skills and Abilities
This is probably the least likely reason that anyone would seriously consider learning how to ride an odd bike, but for what it’s worth, learning how to ride an odd bike has the potential to make you a better rider in your main discipline.
That is, you’ll gain strength, stamina, flexibility, and coordination that could only really be achieved by learning to ride an odd bike (since it is such a unique skill) which you might then be able to transfer to riding a bike or a unicycle.
Of course, it’s also exercise, too. That counts for something as well.
In the Running for an Odd Bike?
Seriously considering learning how to ride an odd bike like a penny farthing for one of the reasons listed here? Or perhaps you’re interested in learning for reasons of your own.
You still need a place where you can get one. What you’re looking for is Unicycle.com.
Don’t let the name fool you. Though they specialize in all things unicycles, they also sell a wide range of odd bikes, including penny farthings. Check out their website for more information and get in touch with them if you have any questions or would like recommendations.
