Velocipede

 

Velocipede

Velocipede

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

The velocipede was the first proper bicycle with pedals. It was invented in France in the 1860s and manufactured from 1867 to 1869, to cater for the new obsession with bicycles. With its iron frame and wooden wheels with iron tyres it gave the rider a most uncomfortable ride. It was popularly known as the bone shaker.

Penny farthing.

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

In 1870 it was superseded by the penny farthing. The name came from the British coins, penny and farthing. The penny was significantly larger than the farthing and a side view of the bicycle showed an appreciably bigger front wheel and a very much smaller rear wheel.

The front wheel was often greater than fifty inches (1m. 27) and meant that the machine was capable of high speeds because each revolution covered more ground than a smaller wheel. However, the wheels had solid rubber tyres and there were no brakes or gears. The only source of shock absorption was provided by the saddle. With a high centre of gravity and no safety devices, riders often flew over the handlebars.

It was a heady experience for those who embraced it, but by 1879 they were beginning to fall out of favour. Modern bicycles were being produced, which had gears, brakes, and pneumatic tyres and were more comfortable to ride. They were promoted as ‘safety bicycles’ because they were easier to mount and closer to the ground, so that any falls were less traumatic.

The Beachy Head World Championship Penny Farthing Hill Climb is the only time trial of its kind in the world and has been held annually since 2018 when nine competitors took part. The 2025 event took place on Sunday 10^th August and attracted thirty-nine riders from UK, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, and USA.

The public is encouraged to watch and applaud the competitors. Though it may not have quite the pizazz of the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia, it is nonetheless great fun for the crowds.

It is an amateur event and is open to anyone with either a modern or a traditional penny farthing with a wheel diameter greater than forty-six inches.

The course is almost three miles long and rises from the starting point on the Western Lawns to the finish line at the Beachy Head car park. Riders take off at one minute intervals with the faster riders going first. The fastest riders take about twelve minutes to complete the course.

The winner receives a ceremonial ‘Block of Wood’ trophy which bears the names of past winners. Plans are already afoot for the 2026 time trial to discover the 'King of the Mountains' (East Sussex version)