High Wheel Bike Racing!

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg) 08/11/2016 at 11:30 • Filed to: None

3

19

So this is happening on Saturday in my home town of Frederick, MD. It’s apparently the only race of it’s kind in the country. They shut down 2 city blocks and race old timey high wheel bicycles. It’s gotten big enough that they now have to run 2 qualifying heats before a final race.

It’s also the weekend of the Tour de Frederick, a legitimate road bike race. And it’s Frederick’s Best, a weekend to celebrate the city. And there’s going to be a Biergarten... from which you can watch the old timey bikes!

http://www.highwheelrace.com/

CalzoneGolem > Snuze: Needs another Swede 08/11/2016 at 11:31

0

That looks fun.

For Sweden > Snuze: Needs another Swede 08/11/2016 at 11:34

0

This isn’t Portland though

Party-vi > For Sweden 08/11/2016 at 11:35

2

Frederick is just like Portland, except no one says “Portneck”

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Snuze: Needs another Swede 08/11/2016 at 11:35

0

Didn’t we get rid of those for a reason?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Party-vi 08/11/2016 at 11:45

0

I couldn’t have said it any better myself!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 08/11/2016 at 11:45

0

Yes, but then we brought them back so we could laugh at them.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CalzoneGolem 08/11/2016 at 11:46

1

Agreed, though probably more fun to watch while drinking beer. I have a feeling I’d hurt myself trying to actually ride one of those things.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Snuze: Needs another Swede 08/11/2016 at 11:47

0

I feel like I’d fall over. I’d definitely want a more substantial helmet than what those guys in the picture have.

CalzoneGolem > Snuze: Needs another Swede 08/11/2016 at 11:51

0

Yeah, that’s a long way to fall. Why they make that tire so big?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 08/11/2016 at 11:53

0

I completely agree. I’d be more afraid of one of those than riding a liter bike.

jimz > Snuze: Needs another Swede 08/11/2016 at 12:06

1

A penny-farthing!

Cé hé sin > CalzoneGolem 08/11/2016 at 12:07

0

High gearing without actually having gears.

Cé hé sin > Snuze: Needs another Swede 08/11/2016 at 12:08

1

Oooh, penny farthings, but I suppose that name wouldn’t have worked in America!

CalzoneGolem > Cé hé sin 08/11/2016 at 12:10

0

Yeah I just read an article about it. In the article it mentioned that people went over the handlebars so often that some would ride downhill with their feet over the handlebars so they could land on their feet.

Cé hé sin > CalzoneGolem 08/11/2016 at 12:12

1

That’s even scarier. No freewheel so getting your feet back on the pedals must have been exciting.

CalzoneGolem > Cé hé sin 08/11/2016 at 12:13

0

No brakes because that’d cause it to tip you straight onto your face also.

Cé hé sin > CalzoneGolem 08/11/2016 at 12:31

0

They had a “spoon” brake acting directly on the tyre if Wiki is to be believed.

CalzoneGolem > Cé hé sin 08/11/2016 at 12:35

0

Oh geez that seems like a terrible idea.

Frank Grimes > Snuze: Needs another Swede 08/11/2016 at 19:36

0