Stamina’s the key for Roger as he cycles 100 miles on a penny-farthing

Roger Turner, of Toft Road Dental Practice, joined 32 riders in Worcestershire for a 5am start to pedal their way around four 25-mile laps.

The penny-farthing has a large front wheel, a small rear wheel and no gears, and the Veteran-Cycle Club event put Roger through his paces.

“You have to keep pedalling the whole way,” he said.

“Even when you’re going downhill you have to keep pedalling to keep the thing moving.

“It was a great day and a great occasion, with lots of like-minded people, and I’m very pleased I did it.

“I was shattered at the end – but that’s what it’s all about, it was well worth it.”

The high riders were allowed a break after each 25-mile lap for refreshments. and Roger’s riding time of 10-and-a-half hours saw him complete the event in 12 hours.

“I was quite pleased to finish in 12 hours,” he said.

“It was not a race, and you didn’t have to complete the whole thing if you didn’t want to.

“Riders would choose how many laps they were attempting beforehand, but for me there was no option, I was determined to do the whole 100 miles.”

Roger trained on a standard bicycle, riding coast-to-coast from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in preparation the long distance event.

He said: “It’s more about stamina than technique. As long as you keep going you don’t fall off.”

Knutsford has played host to many of Roger’s fellow riders with the Great Race in 2010 and the annual May Day Cheshire Wheelman.

Some are members of local penny-farthing clubs, but Roger’s involvement with Knutsford Scout Group, among other weekend hobbies, means he has no plans to compete again in the near future.

“I knew a number of riders from past events,” he said.

“That’s the thing about penny-farthing riders, there aren’t very many – we’re quite a discreet bunch of nut cases!

“I haven’t got any more events planned. I guess I’ll have to start preparing for the next Knutsford Great Race in 2020!”