Can I Ride 50 Miles On A Penny Farthing?

[@redqueenrealtor]

Well done Hank! Looks like this one was a lot ore fun than the last go :)

[@gcn]

Thanks for the love!

[@rogersimmons8788]

It was nice to see Hank acknowledging the peasants as he rode through the villages!

[@bookle5829]

he does have a manor lol

[@CycletheNation]

😂

[@hondasaurusrex6998]

Quoting a line from Mel Brooks movie - " The peasants are revolting! Yes, they do smell!"

[@JIMMYHIBBS1]

Change ‘the’ for ‘his’ x2

[@travisbriggs6129]

His fiefdom

[@gcn]

Do you want to see Hank take on another penny farthing adventure? 🤣

[@donaldmorris6482]

Didn’t Hank say he would do it on a uni-cycle, which would he be quicker on?

[@iantyson431]

London to Paris maybe........think that might break him 🤣

[@cruachan1191]

Not had Mark Beaumont on for a while, I'm sure he'd be happy to ride with Hank up Bealach na Bà 😂

[@2Neilx3]

100 miles charity ride maybe?

[@freddequina8412]

Perhaps a top 30 Strava KOM finish... Any hill of his choice

[@coldfox7308]

"i dont think the penny farthing was made for hillclimb" Time to prove that wrong by putting Andrew Feather on one

[@takumax3653]

There is an International penny farthing hill climb every year at Beachy Head, Eastbourne.

[@Davmm96]

In Montreal, june 1887, a hillclimb race was organised to reach to top of Côte-Des-Neiges, which a 100 meters climb over 1 km (so 10%). No one finished except a young boy with his small penny-farthing in around 10 minutes. Everywhere cheered for him and he made the news. Alas, He died of influenza at 15 so hum.. maybe not the best ending story. For the more scientifically inclined people, the huge development of the ordinary bicycle made such a climb impossible, hence why a little boy could do it with a smaller bicycle.

[@TreyGruel]

I was thinking the Alpe d'Huez climb and descent after the city bike.. But please don't, GCN. I think that trying to descend the Alpe d'Huez on a penny farthing would really kill Hank.

[@FTA38yearfreeride]

@@Davmm96 1km 10% you call it impossible?😂

[@Lantern_Matt_2814]

"as aerodynamic as Connor Dunne" 😂😂

[@andrewmcalister3462]

I’m now just trying to imagine Conor on a penny farthing. He’d be so high off the ground he would need clearance from Air Traffic Control before going on a cafe ride.

[@Lantern_Matt_2814]

@andrewmcalister3462 I think we're all imagining it 😂😂😂

[@kidsafe]

That is a deep cut.

[@FTA38yearfreeride]

@andrewmcalister3462 Connor, when he stops, he can stay on it and just put his feet on the ground 😉

[@Thezuule1]

The random group ride was spectacular.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Manor house, top hat, penny farthing? Yep, it’s gotta be a GCN Hank epic. ❤

[@mathewjames4137]

Hank said he would prefer to do this ride on a unicycle so obviously that's the next challenge.

[@gcn]

He'll regret mentioning that

[@djrlloyd]

Hank looked more at home on the PF than he did on the recumbent a few weeks ago. Well done Hank, willing to go where no other GCN presenter dares to go! 😂😂

[@FTA38yearfreeride]

@djrlloyd Yeah, it looked pretty stable🙂.. except the moment he went off the roadside 😅

[@another3997]

​@FTA38yearfreeride Part of the reason is simply because being much higher up, you can actually balance the bike more easily. Tall bikes are natrually more stable, even at really low speeds. Recumbent bikes are harder to balance because they tend to be lower than normal bikes.

[@FTA38yearfreeride]

@another3997 I don't agree. Besides my race bike, I have a low racer recumbent. It is very stable and has a very low point of gravity .What keeps the penny stable is the huge wheel and his wagon-wheel effect.

[@CharlesJames-h3p]

Lovely to see Swindon Wheelers pop up in the video, great club to ride with!

[@richcrompton6891]

Awesome! The surprise for me was that riding a penny farthing turned Hank into Matt Stephens! The joy in that laugh 😊🤣

[@BsktImp]

10:05 Can't wait for that episode!

[@OperationDarkside]

* steps out of alley way * "Ah sh*t, here we go again"

[@adehooper6780]

How about 50 miles on a boneshaker then Hank? Just kidding 🤣🤭

[@mrtnsnp]

The replacement was called the safety-bike for good reason.

[@another3997]

Safety is a relative term. The early safety bicycles weren't especially safe, and the Penny Farthing isn't especially dangerous if you are familiar with with riding one, know how to quickly dismount safely and if you don't go at mad speeds. Being higher up, you can balance better than on a normal bike and see hazards better.. The term "header" refers to going over the handlebars of a Penny, which generally requires higher speeds or not paying attention.

[@ashwayn]

The old Ordinary was a death trap Ask Joseph Smith Langset cycles

[@bubblesezblonde]

@GCN~Trying to kill Son-of-Hank's-Dad is NOT a corporate mission statement! It is nerve-shattering entertainment though. Probably the scariest 'real-life' ride I have ever seen on the Tube. SO thankful you survived...a testament to your riding skill.

[@Katcycle]

I'm amazed to see you on a penny farthing after the last time Hank! I just can't believe the crazy stunts you end up doing on GCN - massive CHAPEAU! 👏

[@chagas99z]

Well done Hank! Penny rider here, and agree wholeheartedly - smile making machines for all involved. Also, we are part of a very small group of Penny AND recumbent riders. So much fun to be had on two wheels!

[@telophasemusic]

"good show, chap!" Feels like something one should say anytime they dismount a pennyfarthing

[@terrylyons1381]

"At least I can see over the hedgerows" made me LOL! Well done, Hank and hello from Colorado.

[@aaronedgeart]

It just HAD to be Hank that took on this challenge... amazing!

[@gcn]

What should the next challenge be?

[@jimbobeire]

@@gcn @gcntech Put the front wheel in the truing stand...

[@凸Bebo凸]

Impressive to see how the Penny Farthing quells road rage. I didn't see one person mad about being held up.

[@robadair]

How could you tell how the motorists were feeling?

[@凸Bebo凸]

@@robadair Non autistic people can gather context from body language and facial expressions as well as actions, hope this helps.

[@jn1083]

Hank actually looked stylish with top hat

[@renegadetenor]

true, that..

[@nukedathlonman]

Def got a tons of smiles from me!! I know Penny Farthings aren't exactly easy to ride, let alone ride 50 miles in one go. Great job Hank!!

[@jaimerojas1969]

Interesting how Hank is so comfortable on a Penny Farthing and such a mess on a Recumbent. Well done Hank.

[@Star14trek]

Lands end to john-o- groat .... World record next on that bike Hank!

[@lazzaboyman8003]

I love these mad Hank adventures, he seems to bring a lot of joy to what most people would describe as madness!

[@Alex.R.Feyn.]

0:56 For aerodynamics, the Victorians clearly took inspiration from sprinting T-Rexes.

[@CameronFraserACHF]

Thank goodness for that curb cutout. I was waiting to see Hank bunny hop back onto the road, and didn't think that was a great idea.

[@alethearobinson8132]

Bravo. I doubt I could ride a PF 50 feet before crashing. There is a father/daughter duo, Randy and Amy Oleynik, that rode their Penny Farthings across America. 3314 miles. 😲.

[@FTA38yearfreeride]

@alethearobinson8132 I think the ones you are used to it, it is just like another bike, just more 🐌 slow.

[@Seppster58]

Wonderful video. When you think Hank has done everything, GCN finds a way to up the game. Well done Hank. Love the scenery. Was a bit concerned in a few parts, especially after watching Conor's segment on Road Rage.

[@hippo71124]

Monocycle has to be the next, right?

[@dianahellman9254]

Nice he could start at his own manor house! It actually looked pretty much right at home there. And the top hat definitely looked good on him!

[@CTB2580]

Bring that to Iowa the last week of July and ride that thing across the whole state with me and about 20,000 other cyclists. It will be fun I promise! 😂

[@chrishomel9558]

Absolutely mad riding that thing in traffic. Hats off to you Hank.

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

Hank, you are The Man! After what happened to you on the velodrome, doing this is absolutely epic. Good show!

[@johnfitzgerald1192]

definitely a collectors item. And looks very nice in a bicycle shop.

[@PapaPaul723]

I heard unicycle....... Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Appreciate the ride and the story. Thinking I need one, but maybe not a 50"

[@jonathanbouchard39]

I'm looking forward to the unicycle ride. I think Si Richardson is their unicycle expert

[@rogerdavies5670]

@@jonathanbouchard39 Hank is a good unicycle rider as well!

[@jonathanbouchard39]

That sounds like a challenge! I’ll buy Dan a six-pack if he joins in…

[@jasondunn5410]

Hank, it is beyond doubt, you are a legend! Great film, really enjoyed it.

[@PhyllisBoone-sn8oi]

I am absolutely loving this ride! Hank is a delightful trooper!

[@jellyfishsalad5926]

Well done Hank. Accumulating plenty of stories to tell the grand kids!

[@lorikendrick1705]

A great site to see and you dismounted safely and unaided AND mostly uninjured this time!👍 Thx, Hank 🎄

[@stuartfreedman6854]

Good sport! At least you had a decent seat this time. Love the modern touches - nicely shaped bar with bar ends.

[@adamcoatham]

I bet it was just as eye-catching seeing that strapped to a roof rack for the 50 mile return journey! Watch out for low bridges!

[@aliensporebomb]

Loved watching people smiling as they saw this unlikely bike going by and some people doing double takes! Thanks again Hank for your perseverance!

[@Dmitry-Moiseenko]

Great adventure on a historic bike! 😊

[@willmo1725]

That was wonderful, I find my self wanting one. No hills lol thanks hank and gcn. Happy hollidays, great show.

[@dtsybulskyi]

I can't believe @GCN did such a massive bodge as not putting front and rear lights on the Penny farthing 😮 other than that, awesome video and Hank's a legend! ❤

[@stanley3647]

in victorian days - no such a thing as a bicycle lights ;)

[@dtsybulskyi]

@stanley3647 yes, but also no paved roads, high-end cycling clothing etc. So it wasn't authentic to begin with

[@stanley3647]

@@dtsybulskyi also no legal requiment for bicycle light if You cycling in daylight. Same for horses or walkers. Drivers must be able to seen unlight objects in daylight, otherwise - suspend their licence ;)

[@dtsybulskyi]

@@stanley3647 yes, but he clearly finished in dusk, not in daylight. anyhow, Hank's safe, I hope other cyclists are also :)

[@evan4622]

You cycled past my house! I had just walked into my living room and saw a penny farthing go by, I can't believe I found this video randomly. Glad I wasn't losing the plot

[@alexandrevoisine5639]

As a former penny farthing World champion, I approved this video ! Yes, it's hard but it's so fun to turn heads and chat with people on my way !

[@StratoJohn]

Hank takes on some right challenges! What a great spirit!

[@gcn]

What should the next challenge be to test Hank and his spirit?

[@PhyllisBoone-sn8oi]

​@gcn I'd like to see him take on a recumbent tadpole trike. An ICE VTX would be fun to compare to a diamond frame for speed. My trike is my age defying vehicle. At 71, when I ride my human-powered go-kart, I'm 11 again!❤❤❤

[@StratoJohn]

I'd love to see the tandem back on the channel but where would be a good place to ride it for him? I'm sure famous mountain climbs?

[@WartalesinSkyrim]

Haha superfun to watch, great one Hank!

[@n22pdf]

Brilliant Hank great to still see you on GCN and your new channel is excellent 😊 your field of view on the penny farthing must be amazing and crikey downhills look interesting 😅 awesome dude.. Pete 🚴🏻👍

[@martinsteele6853]

Hank you are an absolute legend , I think you and Mark should do the NC500 on penny farthings

[@mommamooney]

“You’re on the wrong bicycle!” That must have been a fun encounter

[@philipcooper8297]

Up next: Hank does Paris-Roubaix on a unicycle.

[@Shiftinggears4u]

Loved seeing Hank on this iconic bike !

[@frankrizzo367]

Thanks for doing this Hank! And thanks to the great editing and sound!

[@ChrisGuarraia]

Wonderful video and challenge, Hank! So good to see you not in agony at the end of this one. Penny farthing 1, Hank 1.

[@cptjeff1]

Missed opportunity to use power meter pedals. I'd love to know what kind of work that ride actually took! But great video. Just great fun with the love of cycling.

[@josiedinsmore]

Loved this adventure Hank! My favourite part was when you were riding through the town and all the people with their phones out. I'd love to see the POVs from the people along the road watching lol!

[@tebbsy]

I saw an old gent riding one around Beckenham this morning. Chapeau

[@lesliereissner4711]

Unlike his recent adventure on the recumbent, Hank did not fall off once! Nicely done.

[@gregzeszotarski9927]

Bravo !!!!! Excellent ride, my hat's off to your endurance.

[@ramsden35]

Had to be Hank! Brilliant!

[@MischaESC2]

A truely deserved thumbs up!

[@bryanwilliams6767]

I rode RAGBRAI LI, a week long bike ride across Iowa. Came across a guy named. Danny, LuckyPennyUSA. He rode the whole thing on a penny farthing. The route was 434 miles with about 18,000 feet of climb. This was just one part of his penny farthing ride across the entire Unite States. Super cool dude, super cool bike.

[@lindralyndra]

Every time I see a GCN video that makes me go "wtf is wrong with you?" it's always Hank. Shine on you crazy diamond.

[@Ghuarocc]

Oh boy, I remember when this was just a comment in a previous Hank challenge video 😂 Great effort Hank!

[@InitialP_Photography]

Really don't think I can think of anything worse to be clipped into than this.

[@TheBigCK510]

Such a festive outing during the holiday season! Guessing you finished trimming the Christmas trees at the Manor and desired some "me" time on the bike in the beautiful countryside to decompress - naturally! Don't just ride the PF for 100 miles for the next challenge. Map an amazing route through beautiful scenery that may just happen to calc out to 100 miles. (Do not attempt before your wedding). Cheers!

[@kovar2344]

Watched this in one go. Glorious video :D

[@junkieball]

I heard Hank say he'd rather do it on a unicycle. Next vid right the me thinks. 😂😂

[@AndrewPound]

Well done Hank,top effort

[@youcanifyouwantto]

I put pf in the same bag as fixies and unicycles... They are all majestic! They are so complicated for any kind of diverse terrain cycling. They all definitely have a place in competitive cycling and they are all fun in casual cycling

[@johnnyinumerables5401]

Watching from the Philippines,well done enjoy riding.

[@lifeat10mph7]

Hank you are a BEAST

[@ВаликСлавинский-е5г]

the man, the icon, the legend, thank you Hank

[@paulgordon7526]

Hank you are a legend !! London to Brighton on the Penny Farthing next ??

[@gcn]

Oh, that last hill 😵

[@AlisonAdventuring]

Fabulous stuff!!

[@jasehoad9397]

Dude that's risking the old chap so close to your wedding ;)

[@robertkenney4336]

I love it! Here=s one - I want to see you do a triathlon on a Penney farthing

[@mitchpaliga4851]

So happy Hank is still a GCN presenter since his new found responsibilities at the manor. Do we now call him Lord Hank?

[@petersauer94]

Well done James, who else but you would do something this ridiculous. 😊

[@pericofantasias]

Since you seem to be as mad as a hatter, you might just as well have worn the top hat all the way. Brilliant video. Made us all finish with a big smile on our faces.

[@derickcastillo9083]

Hank, you are a braver man than me! Great Video!

[@newhorizons.english]

Love these wacky ideas, chiefly when it involves Hank. More please!

[@NanoDex]

Great work Hank

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Incredible Ride & Super Fun video :)

[@gcn]

Thanks!

[@donaldrieger381]

Awesome job Hank Did Hank just name his next challenge? That same 75km trip on a unicycle?😊 I would love to see a century on the penny farthing.

[@bergerniklas6647]

thank you editor for the sound in the beginning. We all remember THAT video of Hank trying to beat the 1h record.

[@ianjwhitmore]

Imagine trying to get a bike fit for one of these contraptions. 🤣 Chapeau, Hank!

[@jamesquaid2544]

Well done, from NZ.

[@SM-dt1pr]

Went to see the London to Brighton Veteran Car run a few yrars ago,and was amazed to see that a few people do it on proper old penny farthings. I think they miss Ditchling Beacon, but anyway...

[@martindahl2431]

Well done. In the States, we call them Ordinary bicycles. I have friends that ride them in the Hotter'n Hell Ride Hundred in Texas in August. I think they do 100K. One of them tells me whenever he rides people always ask him two things: How do you get on? "Carefully". How do you get off? "That's personal."

[@FTA38yearfreeride]

@@martindahl2431 Is this why they destroyed Lance because he was not riding one of those ?????

[@alexhulinsky7954]

I've never seen anyone call a penny farthing an ordinary bicycle.

[@mommamooney]

Love love love this! Loved seeing how the people interacted with Hank. Definitely something you don’t see every day

[@EduardoSalas]

Next video: Ollie challenges Andrew Feather up a climb with Feather riding the penny farthing.

[@mommamooney]

@ I’d watch that video!

[@SlickCycler]

Would have liked to see how Hank got on and off of it.

[@cyclingpanther5758]

Well done Hank. Go for the 100 miler!

[@goodcompanycoffee]

LOL Hank you’ve out done yourself again. Well done and glad you made it alive. How on earth did you get on that thing?

[@mikeainsworth4504]

@7:51 7a in Fairford! A great cafe with absolutely superb brownies (available on mail order too).

[@michaelplantarich3375]

Very entertaining video. Im still amazed how anybody thought this was a good design 😂

[@SystemParanoia]

Good to see you avoided a "crowning". I'll take that as a win! 😵‍💫

[@dickiesmithmtb1602]

Having ridden both a restored original and a reproduction penny farthing, I understand the attention you get. The restored original was so much harder to ride to the point the reproduction was almost nimble.