With the current cold snap, what better way to warm up than a bike ride from Worthing to Shoreham-by-Sea along the England Coast Path. Cycling enthusiast Simon Ware of Godalming, Surrey, did just that, but he managed to draw lots of attention from on-lookers as he was riding aloft on his modern day Penny Farthing.

Cheered along by everyone who saw him, he showed just how much fun it can be to ride such a renowned machine. Even though there are no conventional brakes on these cycles, it’s not as daunting to ride as you might think and he was taught by the adventurer and record breaker Neil Laughton of the Penny Farthing Club.

Simon and his adult sons enjoyed learning to ride with Neil in London where he then heard of the Guinness World Records Weekend Extravaganza at the end of last year.  Inspired, he bought a modern day Penny Farthing in time to participate in the event.

His Penny Farthing was built by Standard Highwheels of Tomelilla, Sweden and is tailored to match your inside leg measurement. The British made bikes are available from Trott & Sons in Horam, East Sussex and UDC in Stockton-On-Tees.

Simon joined the 140 strong record breaking team, organised by Neil Laughton. The group succeeded in breaking 12 Guinness World Records during the extravaganza which took place at the Herne Hill Velodrome, Dulwich Park, and the London Olympic Velodrome in Stratford in October 2024.

You may see Simon riding his extraordinary machine in Godalming, Shoreham and Cambridge – give him a wave and I know the sight will make you smile.

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