Courtesy of the Frederick Clustered Spires High Wheel Race
Riders in vintage clothes on penny farthing bicycles
It may be old, but the penny farthing bicycle is no slouch. And on Saturday, August 18, you can see this bike in action at the Frederick Clustered Spires High Wheel Race, organized by the Potomac Region Wheelmen and held in conjunction with the Third Annual Tour de Frederick.
The penny farthing, which features a small back wheel, large front wheel, and a tubular frame, was ridden primarily in the late 1800s, but as of late, this “high-wheeler” has been making a comeback with fans and aficionados across the country.
On Saturday, riders dressed in vintage clothing will race original and replica penny farthings on a 0.4-mile track through historic downtown Frederick. Participants come from as far as Arizona and Georgia to ride and celebrate these vintage machines in this exciting blast from the past.
Race starts at 4:15 p.m.
The event will benefit the Frederick Bicycle Coalition, which promotes bicycling in the greater Frederick area, and the Wheelmen, a national non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of America’s biking heritage. Though registration has passed, the race is free to spectators.
But if high-wheel racing isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other bicycling events during the Third Annual Tour de Frederick, August 17-19. You can:
Enjoy an 8-mile history bike tour of Frederick on Friday, August 17 at 4 p.m.
Take a covered bridge ride through Frederick County, led by the Frederick Pedalers Bicycling Club, on Saturday, August 18 at 8 a.m.
Or test your metal with a 3-mile climb of Sugarloaf Mountain on Sunday, August 19 at 8 a.m.
Whether you’re watching or riding, this is a weekend not to miss!
Chris Milazzo is an editorial intern at Maryland Life.
