Today (age 52+) I realized a dream I have had most of my life---to ride a Penny Farthing bicycle! I spotted a Coker Wheelman last night on local Craigslist and left a message. The phone rang this morning and to my surprise, the bike was still available. I was the first person to call on it. I mapquested the directions and stopped at the atm for funds.
Forty-five minutes later I arrived in the suburbs and found the house without difficulty. The seller was prepared for my arrival and had the bike ready to bring out the door. I had spent the previous evening doing research on the bike so I knew pretty much what I'd see. The seller had noted it was red but I hadn't expected the nice rich red it turned out to be.
We talked about the bike for a bit and I eagerly paid him for it. Then he gave me a quick demo of how to mount the bike and some riding tips. I put the bike in my van and then, before I left I got to see his replica high-wheeler. I get the feeling that if I stay in touch I'll get the opportunity one day to also buy the replica when he has gotten tired of it and wants the cash for other hobby stuff.
I drove my van home and decided to walk the bike from my house to a annual vintage car race that dominates a local golf course. I wanted to see the cars but I also thought there might be plenty of gently sloped grassy stretches where I might try to ride the Wheelman with minimal risk of injury if I should fall.
After walking the grounds and admiring all the wonderful cars parked here and there, I found an area of grass with a gentle downhill slope that I knew would be ideal for learning. So, after a couple of nervous false-tries I finally got up and on the contraption. I was infused by a mix of terror and elation! It was fun but it wasn't long before I started to worry about the landing. The proper landing is to dismount using the rear step, but reaching back with my foot---I couldn't find it. So I slowed using the back brake and let the bike fall sideways until I had footing on one side. A bit clumsy but it worked.
I walked the bike back up to my starting point. Did I dare try it again? I had fancied that the first time I tried the bike I'd be geared up in a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and roller-skating wrist braces---yet here I was with none of that! But I felt that the longer I put off a second try, the poorer the chance I'd EVER ride the bike again. I waited till that long swath of grass was quiet of traffic and I launched myself once more.
This ride went smoother and was a little less nerve-racking. At the end, instead of ditching the bike in a fall, I performed a gentle u-turn and headed back uphill. I have to say these bikes are very squirrelly under power, especially when one is a novice. Once again I searched for the step to dismount, and failing to find it, I elected to do the calculated sideways fall again.
Photos of the bike to come...
Cheers,
Tim
