A film has been released charting Richard Thoday’s successful attempt in July on the Penny Farthing Land’s End to John O’Groats Guinness World Record, with the previous record having stood for an astonishing 133 years.
The film was released to coincide with Friday’s BBC Children in Need with Thoday, a teacher from Derbyshire, raising more than £10,000 for the charity through his page on Just Giving.
The previous record of 5 days, 1 hour 45 minutes had been set by 18-year-old George Pilkington Mills in 1886, knocking more than a day off the then fastest end-to-end penny farthing ride.
Thoday, aged 55, was supported by family and friends and also had the backing of Round-the-World Guinness World Record holder Mark Beaumont, and completed the challenge in 4 days, 11 hours and 52 minutes.
He said: “Thank you to every one of the many people who came to stand at the side of the road and cheer me on.
“I never got a chance to speak to you, but without your support, it would have been so much harder and very lonely.”
The 18-minute film was produced by 4Season Collective and funded by Long Rake Spar Co. whose managing director, Trevor Broadhurst, said: “Long Rake Spar are incredibly proud of the hard work and effort put in by Richard and all of the crew, a local Penny Farthing enthusiast and now an official World Record Holder has been an exciting project to be a part of, and we look forward to seeing his next adventure.”
Simon has been news editor at road.cc since 2009, reporting on 10 editions and counting of pro cycling’s biggest races such as the Tour de France, stories on issues including infrastructure and campaigning, and interviewing some of the biggest names in cycling. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, his background has proved invaluable in reporting on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, and the bike industry. He splits his time between London and Cambridge, and loves taking his miniature schnauzer Elodie on adventures in the basket of her Elephant Bike.