Sussex Highwheelers in Action!

The group has been set up to stimulate interest and encourage the study of the history of the 'Ordinary' bicycle, more widely known as the Penny Farthing. The aims are to organise regular rides and events that highlight the history and development of the highwhell and celebrate the lives of the important people who built, rode and broke records on these machines.

When the Veteran-Cycle Club was first formed these veteran machines were regularly ridden at Club events but at the time they were less than 100 years old. 50 years on, many of these bicycles are now considered museum pieces and although some are still ridden and shown, frequent use is likely to be detrimental to their preservation. While we hope that these early bicycles will still be part of the activities of the group, there are now several manufacturers of high quality replica machines and a new breed that we would term ‘modern penny farthings’ that offer an entry point for anyone wishing to take part in our activities. We hope that, by encouraging riders of these new machines, we can attract a new generation of highwheel enthusiasts.

The group has already been in action, taking part in The Paris to London Ride, when fifteen bicyclists, French, Belgian and English, challenged themselves to go from Paris to London on the highwheels, in period costume, to celebrate the 150 years since their invention - a journey of more than 300 km in 5 days.

You can see the highwheelers at:

12-13 August – Eastbourne International Penny Farthing Weekend including the Beachy Head ‘world Championship Penny Farthing Hill Climb.

2-3 September – European Penny Farthing Championship Weekend at Oudenburg, Belgium.

10 September – The Knutsford Great Race.

24 September – The Grand Old Ordinary Race and British Penny Farthing Championship in London.

10 December – Annual Santa Ride at Polegate, Sussex, in association with Kent & Sussex Veteran-Cycle Section.

For further information contact [email protected]