Copyright ©2025 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.
Penny-farthing
This bicycle was popular between 1874-1886.
They’re fun to see ridden but, they were fast, and dangerous. With the exception of the railways nothing was faster on the roads.
They were dangerous because the risk of falling was great. Heading over the handlebars was problematic. So makers tried making the handlebars so riders knees could clear them. They had design changes that included reversing the large and small wheels but, that proved dangerous as well by being thrown off the bike backwards when going uphill.
It got its name from the size of its wheels-the front was large like the British penny, the smaller back wheel was the farthing.
The Penny-farthing fell out of favor when the safety bicycle was invented in the 1890’s.
I saw this bicycle and a few other odd ones in Sonoma, CA back in 2011.
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
A fascinating look at taking a bike ride from the past!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the bike image. It was a fun little parade of weird bikes passing me that afternoon that made the side stop a treat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did I read recently that you have been ill or away from blogging for some other reason? I hope all is well and you are enjoying many Bird full days! ☀️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You did! My Mom passed away recently and I was with her just before she passed then you know all the stuff afterwards. I just couldn’t concentrate of reading so I took a break. I’m getting back to normal. Thank you so much for asking! 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! Losing a parent is a major event, no matter what the circumstances of their death. What a blessing that you were with her! I’m glad to see you back 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰 Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holy cow! That is some bicycle! I’d climb all the way up there and then have to pee! Lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
ROFL!!! Your comment cracked me up because I can sooooo relate! That would be me too! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The benefits? Of getting older… Lol!😂
LikeLike
wow – how fun to learn a bit about the Penny-farthing bike – they do seem dangerous
LikeLiked by 1 person
I learned something new about them as well. I agree the height would bother me and make me feel like it’s dangerous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Cool shot! I always think of the unicycles with big front wheels like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I thought of Steampunk and the old unicycles. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it! Very different. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, now, isn’t that interesting. Amazing piece of history, and in 2025 a rider would have a full body suit and helmet on for safety. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊One would hope so!
LikeLike
Well preserved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is!
LikeLike
Fun to see but not so much fun to ride!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree!
LikeLike
Me too hadn’t seen this kind of bike coupled together before. It does make it more stable I guess, but this one seems extraordinary high! When I was a child I had a book with a little, round man riding a bike like this, a single one that is. It was illustrated and I can still picture it in my head. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that memory of yours, Peter. It’s an interesting bike isn’t it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Guess you would have to call that a tuppence and two farthings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was trying to figure out what to call it since the wheels were double. Thank you! I like that name!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing how you could even get into the seat Deborah, I have never seen the motorised version. A really lovely photo
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d need a box or ladder to get on it wouldn’t you? Thank you so much, Ashley!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s very cool to see that, but I wouldn’t want to be riding it. It might have been somewhat safe because cars weren’t on the road, but hitting the ground from that height would be nasty. Thanks for sharing the photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably break some bones for sure if you went over the handlebars or crashed from that height. Hopefully that guy didn’t crash or fly over the handlebars.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an extraordinary looking bike. Not one I’d care to ride 😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you on that! 😊
LikeLike
What an odd contraption, Deborah. It even looks dangerous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! It’s fun to see it though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll bet. It would be fun to try it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen a bike like that before! It’s no wonder it went out of favor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the first time I’ve ever seen two of these locked together side by side, which creates stability, even if the height is still hazardous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure it was still dangerous, but cool to see, and a first for me as well seeing one with two big wheels.
LikeLike
If nothing else, this is proof that the human imagination knows few bounds. There’s not a chance you’d get me on one of those.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Me either! I’ll just watch and enjoy someone else ride one along with you! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person