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Mark Beaumont targets Penny Farthing Hour Record at Herne Hill Velodrome

Scot will aim to beat 1886 record of 22 miles 150 yards as part of next month’s World Cycling Revival

Mark Beaumont has set his sights on another world record – the longest distance ridden on a penny farthing in an hour.

The Scottish adventurer, who last year regained the Guinness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle, is targeting the R.White’s Lemonade Penny Farthing One Hour World Record at next month’s World Cycling Revival festival at Herne Hill Velodrome.

He will join 10 top penny-farthing riders on Friday 15 June in attempting to better the record of 22 miles 150 yards set in Massachusetts in 1886 by WA Rowe.

The furthest distance ever ridden in the UK was set at Herne Hill Velodrome in 1891 and stands at 21 miles 180 yards.

Speaking at a training session at the famous south London venue, Beaumont said: “I’ve taken on some crazy challenges in my career, but the R.White’s lemonade world record is certainly the quirkiest to date.

“Training for a 23-and-a-half-mile hour dash is one thing – but doing that on a penny farthing is barmy! I’m not afraid to have a bit of fun out there but I’m in it to win it for sure.

The World Cycling Revival festival takes place at Herne Hill Velodrome from 14-16 June, with R.White’s acting as official soft drinks sponsor.

As part of its backing of the festival, the brand will work alongside the Penny Farthing Club, including giving people the chance to have taster sessions on the bikes.

R.White’s brand manager François-Marie Menoret said: “The penny farthing is a British icon and a playful nod to R.White’s humble Victorian beginnings, so it is only fitting that this record attempt is taking place just down the road from where our lemonade was first produced.

“It’s incredibly exciting to have Mark Beaumont participating in the One Hour World Record and we’ll be cheering – and cheering him on – from the side-lines!”

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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3 comments

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OldRidgeback | 5 years ago
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I'll have to drop by and watch that!

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SteppenHerring | 5 years ago
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Bolt some cleats onto the bottom of 70s style platform shoes and you might be able to get up to a 72" diameter wheel. Much more comfortable - although the flares won't be very aero.

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racyrich | 5 years ago
2 likes

On a 52" wheel that's 143 rpm. Sod that!   Good luck though.

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