KNUTSFORD took its place on the vintage cycling world stage as a quirky once-in-a decade event transformed the town.
More than 100 competitors from New Zealand, Belgium, Germany, and right across the UK battled it out in the fifth Knutsford Great Race, a nail-biting, 3-hour endurance penny-farthing race around the ancient town’s winding streets and alleys on Sunday, September 10.
Spectators descended in droves to witness the truly outlandish spectacle, which managed to combine madcap fun and wild eccentricity with genuine thrills driven by the hard-edged competitive spirit among the entrants.
The event began at midday with a parade lap around the course, and the race started in earnest at 1pm.
By 4pm, there had been one or two minor tumbles, but these ladies and gents proved a tough bunch.
All avoided ‘coming a cropper’ or ‘receiving the imperial crown’, two terms used in penny farthing circles for going over the handlebars and hitting the tarmac face first from a height of around seven feet.
Race organiser, Mike Peacock, said: “It was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.
“The feedback I’ve had has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s a great advert for Knutsford and for our community.
“The riders liked the organisation and the quirkiness of the event, and interestingly, they liked the fact it’s a real challenge.
“It’s both a tough course and a tough race. It’s probably the most challenging event they’ll ever do.
“Some people were a little concerned about the length of the race and the safety issues, but the riders themselves had no problem with it at all.
“Outsiders may think it’s mad and dangerous, but the riders think otherwise. They welcome the challenge.
“Most of them are rehydrating in the pubs in Knutsford at the moment."
Thomas Rheinheimer, from Kaiserslautern in Germany, has competed in the penny-farthing world championships in Eastbourne, which includes a 3-mile, 150m ascent from the seafront to the top of Beachy Head.
Thomas said: “The most important thing is, safety first.
“I love penny-farthings because they are so simple. There’re no gears, no chain, no brakes, and they're so smooth to ride.
“The route here is very challenging. There is a downhill section with two sweeping bends – a left hander followed by a right hander.
“That wouldn’t usually be a problem, but with only rudimentary brakes and so many riders, it’s going to be hard.”
James Turner travelled all the way from Auckland, New Zealand, to compete on his 1885 ‘New Rapid’ bike, sold to him by the Knutsford Great Race founder, Glen Stockdale.
He flew his beloved bike halfway around the world to compete, and proudly flew the New Zealand flag from his frame.
James, an agricultural transport contractor who last raced in Knutsford in 2010, said: “I’m a bit nervous. It’s a very challenging course.
“There’s a long, steady climb from The Moor up to and along King Street, then a series of tight bends dropping back down.
“There’s not much of a penny-farthing scene where I live, but there are a few enthusiasts on the South Island, around Christchurch.
“It’s great to be here in England with so many like-minded enthusiasts.”
There were several prize categories this year: These included best dressed, won by Ian Durrant; the team prize, taken by the Essex Ordinary Riders; and the women’s prize, scooped by Melissa Eisdell.
This year’s winner in the men’s section, and outright winner with a total of 77 laps, was Roger Davies, from Stockton.
He said he was ‘totally chuffed’ to win, adding: “It was really hard though. I’m hurting quite a bit now.
“I took a couple of tumbles, including a bit of a slide, and I had to dismount at one point to avoid ploughing into a couple of spectators.
“I’m so proud to beat Richard Thoday, who came second. It’s like beating royalty.
“He broke a 133-year-old Land’s End to John o’ Groats record in 2019.
“It was nip and tuck between me and him all the way.”
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