Australian Sets Two Penny Farthing Records in One Day

Dan Bolwell brought two wildly different bicycles to London and walked away with two world records that celebrate both engineering creativity and pure fun.

At the City of London Nocturne cycling event on June 13, Bolwell unveiled his inventions. The first was "Big Bertha," a towering penny farthing standing 9 feet 3 inches tall.

Neil Laughton, head of the Penny Farthing Club, strapped on stilts just to reach the pedals. He rode the giant bicycle for 330 feet, earning himself and Bolwell the world record for the largest rideable penny farthing.

Minutes later, Bolwell claimed his second record of the day. Two young siblings, 7-year-old Flo and 6-year-old Finn Woodward, each took turns riding "Little Bee," a tiny penny farthing measuring just 2 feet tall.

The pint-sized bicycle officially became the world's smallest rideable penny farthing. Both children successfully completed their rides, proving that the miniature bike wasn't just small but fully functional.

Penny farthings, with their oversized front wheel and tiny back wheel, were popular in the 1870s and 1880s. They're notoriously difficult to ride, making Bolwell's engineering feat even more impressive.

Why This Inspires

In a world focused on serious innovation, Bolwell reminds us that playful creativity matters too. He didn't invent something to solve a global crisis or change an industry. He built bicycles that made people smile and brought generations together.

The image of a grown man on stilts pedaling a 9-foot bicycle alongside children riding a 2-foot version captures something essential about human ingenuity. We create not just out of necessity, but out of joy.

These records also preserve the legacy of penny farthings, quirky pieces of cycling history that might otherwise fade from public memory. By pushing the boundaries of what's possible with these vintage designs, Bolwell keeps them relevant and exciting for new audiences.

Sometimes the best progress happens when someone asks "what if?" just for the fun of it.