Four Penny Farthing Records Fall in Central London

Imagine cycling nine feet above London's streets on a Victorian-era bicycle that could tower over a basketball hoop. That's exactly what Neil Laughton did on Saturday, riding the world's largest penny farthing through central London as part of a joyful record-breaking event.

Four world records fell that afternoon near Bank Station, where crowds gathered to watch cyclists tackle these challenging vintage bikes. The records ranged from the tiniest to the tallest penny farthings ever ridden, plus some impressive tricks along the way.

Six-year-old Flo Woodward and her seven-year-old brother Finn stole hearts by riding the smallest penny farthings on record. The front wheels measured just 11.41 inches across, barely bigger than a dinner plate, earning them the women's and men's titles in their respective categories.

At the opposite extreme, Laughton's custom-built "Big Bertha" featured a 100-inch front wheel that lifted him skyward. "I was born in London, worked in London, and honestly, after riding the world's largest penny farthing bicycle that's ever been built, I'm just pleased I didn't die in London today," he said with a grin.

Sweden's Henrik Hedström added a twist to his record attempt by juggling while racing 100 meters on his penny farthing. He finished in just 19.87 seconds, proving that showmanship and speed can go hand in hand.

Roger Davies rounded out the day with his own unique achievement on a unicycle, completing 100 meters blindfolded in 37.31 seconds. The feat required incredible balance and courage in front of a live audience.

Why This Inspires

These records prove that joy and skill don't need a serious stage. From young siblings to seasoned adventurers, everyone found their own way to push boundaries on these quirky vintage bikes.

Guinness World Records adjudicator Juliet Dawson captured it perfectly, noting the events showed record-breaking can be "joyful, unusual and incredibly skilful all at once." She praised the mix of experienced riders and young enthusiasts willing to take on genuine challenges.

The bikes themselves were works of art, hand-built in Australia by craftsman Dan Bolwell, known affectionately as "Penny Farthing Dan." His creations enabled both the smallest and largest records to fall on the same day.

The London event follows an October record extravaganza where 13 penny farthing records fell at two velodromes. The growing community of enthusiasts keeps finding new ways to celebrate these historic bicycles, bringing Victorian charm to modern streets while inspiring onlookers with their daring and dedication.