MUSEUM visitors can experience for themselves one of the wobbly wonders of the Victorian age.
For a special event timed to coincide with the Tour de Yorkshire – The Penny Farthing Experience – will highlight the dangers faced by Victorian cyclists.
A range of the historic bikes will be at The Workhouse Museum in Ripon this Saturday (April 29) from 11am to 4pm for visitors to ride.
The Penny Farthing bicycle was originally designed by British Victorian inventor, James Starley. They had little, if no braking system and their tyres were made of solid rubber, which didn't lend itself to a smooth ride.
With Mr. Phoebus’ Penny Farthing Bicycles you will be encouraged to mount, sit high and experience how easy it was to ride these iconic bicycles – so called because of the large front wheel and smaller back wheel, resembling the largest and smallest coins of the time.
As well historic bikes, in adult and child sizes, there will also be a pop up café, bloomer races and lots more silly fun and games.
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