Quirky Things to Do In London - Ride a Penny Farthing Bicycle

Certainly one of the most quirky things to do in London must be to ride a penny farthing bicycle through the busy streets. The Penny Farthing was a very popular bicycle in the 1870s and 1880s but died out with the advent of the safety bicycle. This week Joolz learns to ride a Penny Farthing with The Penny Farthing Club which was founded by Neil Laughton in 2013.
As you will see it's tremendous fun but quite a challenge.
Anyone can learn to ride, just get in touch with Neil through the links below.

On our route we go past the houses of parliament and Buckingham Palace.

Music by Tom Carradine's Cockney Singalong

[mandyaromas]

Julian, this HAS to be my most favourite film of yours of all time. Tom Carradine was effortless on the penny-farthing, and you getting reprimanded made me laugh. I absolutely love all the English banter going on. Might have to watch over and over again.

[aremegoso]

It’s a joyous sight to see another unique aspect in London covered by Joolz and featuring Tom Carradine! 🎩

[ha]

In Denmark this kind of bike is called a “væltepeter” which means a “tumble Peter” -a play on the word velocipede

[guapotomask]

Hard to be depressed with you around Jules. Thanks for the video

[jrfesmithniceguy]

Life lesson, don't jiggly wiggly when you're mounting.🎩😂👏

[JonnyBGood]

Brilliant..."I'm in a permanent state of imbalance when I'm walking" 😅😅😅😅😅😅

[JohnSmith-pdfz]

Brilliant as always! Nearly killed myself trying to ride one of these without knowing the correct way to mount. Now I do I shall try again.

[simonewilliams]

Wow thanks for this. My Uncle Cyril Smith had a rideable collection of 14 Penny Farthings which we learned to ride at 11 years old. He lived in Brent Knoll, Somerset, died in1973 and collected the bikes as a young man in the 30s in Portobello Market, where our Nanna ran a dress shop. Some of the bikes are on show at Weston Super Mare Woodspring Museum. He hitched a ride up to London with a Penny and rode around London on it one year. No crash helmets in those days, and believe me it's bloody painful to fall off. Cheers to all

[cbarnett]

Truly Brilliant!!! Thanks again, Joolz, for a wonderful fun vid! (Would love to see the blooper reel on that one! Ha!)

[kdean]

Well you managed to do it again...while on a Penny Farthing no less!...entertain and delight! 😊👍Thank you!

[stevendaniel]

Joolzy
So glad to hear from you.
This was great. I fell in the floor laughing and really learned alot. Wonderful video.
London is my favorite city in the world.
Thank you. Stay safe.

[sewgatormomm]

That was positively frightening...and fun as hell to watch! Well done you.

[MrKmoconne]

So good to see you again Joolz and you brought along that fine chap, Tom Carradine! This was a fun video! Can we have another round at the Cockney Sing Along?

[AniMerci]

Could swear Tom’s done this before! But well done all. Braver than I. Cheers from NY!

[veldawells]

What an experience. "Pip pip, tally-ho". Superb ! Had to close my eyes Joolz when you went across double-decker bus and traffic 😬. Looks so hard to dismount. Worrying when you can't just stop, like on modern bicycles. Bravo chap. 👍

[truyenthuyetkia]

This video of yours is so entertaining especially the music pairing. Clap clap

[Sugarbears]

Don't wiggldy piggle....that's easy for him to say, he has had many years of experience. I think you did very well and I would never have stayed upright. Go Joolz!

[kimivogel]

OMG! In busy traffic and rain! You are so brave!

[hopefulmelancholy]

I'm not much of a bike rider but this looks like a fun time. Thanks for keeping us entertained Joolz.

[pnion]

Super Joolz. Humor, class & British dignity. Every vid a treasure. Congrats on the 54k subscribers. Still - out of that only 73 Patrons. Lots of appreciators but few supporters.