‘First of its kind’ penny farthing bike race coming to Ohio

Grab your top hats and polish your monocles, a High Wheel Bicycle Race is coming to Plain City soon. Believed to be ‘the first race of its kind in the Midwest’, the inaugural penny farthing race will take place on September 10.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

High Wheel Bicycles, also known as “penny farthings” were introduced to the U.S. in 1876, and are known for their large front wheel and small back wheel. There are no breaks and no gears on penny farthings. According to a press release, the race will take place in Downtown Plain City on September 10, beginning at 5 p.m. Riders will kick off from 101 Chillicothe St., complete as many 0.9-mile laps as possible in 1 hour. According to the release, the Plain City Corn Parade will directly follow the race. The release estimates that 20 riders will participate in the race. 

According to the statement, “J.P. O’Donnell of Powell has been riding a high wheel bike for years. He shares this passion with his son and father-in-law. Together, the three regularly ride in local parades. J.P. has competed in races in other cities in the U.S. and The U.K., and wanted to bring the excitement and joy of this racing to Central Ohio.” No gears, no brakes racing to kick off Plain City Corn Carnival Weekend—a race 150 years in the making. 

Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY