A Century The Hard Way
 

I received a brochure for a American Lung Association Ride and it had this picture in it. Do you think he rode a century on this bike ?!!

I do not doubt a century could be rode on this bike but it sure won't be for a good average speed. Possible but doubtful he rode to 100.

Last year, @ the MS ride to Key Largo, one LBS owner rode a "Penny Farthing" for the first half of the ride. Very cool.

There was a book review in one of the bike mags last year of a Victorian gentelman who rode a Penny Farthing from England to Persia (now Iran) in the 1890's - he was clocking up 50 miles plus a day, on roads that would be classed as cart tracks today. - Even today that would abe a major feat

What is a Penny Farthing" ?
Is it one of those old "one big wheel with a seat on it and one real little wheel in the back" bikes?

If so - there's a web sight somewhere (can't find it now) that shows 2 guys who rode across the USA on them.

You see all sorts of things on the Ride the Rockies, including two guys from Sweden who did the entire 400 miles on two scooters, Hi-Risers, unicycles, whatever. One bunch does the whole thing in Tuxedos with a portable bar.

In a 50 miler last year there was a guy riding a "2x4 prototype."

Jim Kruise (deceased) did several BRAG's (bicycle ride across Georgia) in the late 80's early 90's, on a single speed Western Flyer. BRAG averages 60 miles a day for seven days every June and we do have hills in Ga.
He was in his seventies.

Here you go, this explains what a Penny Farthing is

http://www.inet-shibata.or.jp/~HSbicycles/HISTORY1.htm

WAY off topic...hey hillyman, do you think our Dawgs will make the Sweet 16 again this year?
Shame they couldn't pull it together at the Savvis Center.


BUT back to cycling...

thinking about a century on that bike makes my sitbones scream for mercy.

I believe the first guy to ride a bike around the world was on a penny farthing. He wrote a book, too, which is one of the books available on the Project Gutenbergh CD. I can't remember the name and title off the top of my head, though. He made a second attempt, and disappeared....believed murdered by bandits in some remote area.

That bike in the picture may not be built for distance, but I think it's cute. :)

Okay, I remember now. It was 'Around the world on a bicycle' by Thomas Stevens. You can download Volume 1--San Francisco to Tehran-- free at the Gutenberg site, here:
http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/cgi...org/gutenberg/

From the link above:
The more things change .... the more they stay the same.

Dan

There was a teenager who did the Seattle to Portland 200 mile ride in 2 days on a unicycle, that was an impresive feat.

psycholist
Most around here think because we got so badly embarrassed by Creighton that we don't stand a chance. But somebody else said that if teams keep getting busted they will be begging for teams to come play :D I will keep my fingers crossed Sunday. I think the selections will be on 5 pm on ESPN or ESPN2 ?

hey...is it just me or is he sporting clipless pedals in the picture?

Yeah... I passed him several times and met him at one of the rest areas. Everytime we passed him we would yell out, "You rock unicycle dude!" He mentioned at one of the rest areas that he's been riding a larger wheel now than previously. I heard the woman on the rollerblades did it in one day.

:) I seen a guy riding the Iron man triathlon with almost the same bike. wearing cut off jeans and t shirt.(Swim,Bike and run)He won a $3,000 road bike for his effort.