As a child I adored the Guinness Book of World Records.
I couldn't wait for a new addition to come out so I could find out what weird and wonderful ways people has managed to become best in the world at something obscure and bizarre. Young people, you have to remember that this was in a world before the Internet so the ways of achieving notoriety through lunacy were much more limited.
It was also in a world before fear of legal action stopped the record takers from accepting some of the more "interesting" record attempts.
So it was that millions of young people the world over would pour over the pages of the Guinness Book to see if there was an entry they could possibly aspire to beat.
As a result of my childhood interest in unusual records, my ears pricked when I heard that today in Brisbane an attempt would be made to break the record for the Penny Farthing Stack which is greatest number of penny farthing bicycles, freestanding and held together
by hands only.
That would have required 69 bicycles all in a row. They managed only 32 so in terms of numbers it was an epic fail. In terms of a spectacle it was an outstanding success (although I bet I wasn't the only one that secretly hoped stack involved bikes falling like dominoes)
What great shots - I bet they would find it difficult to just find 60 penny farthings let alone stack them up!
ReplyDeleteApparently the local technical college has a course in making them. Who would have thought?
DeleteSusan you always come up with the most amazing shots. These are great!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a bizarre thing to do. I couldn't resist going to have a look
DeleteWow that's quite a shot! They are supposed to be quite difficult to ride.
ReplyDeleteDifficult and insanely dangerous I believe. I was happy just to look
DeleteBrilliant! Your post made me smile :)
ReplyDeleteSuch great photos, I always look forward to seeing your shots.
ReplyDeleteFantastic although I do think wearing modern day attire is not quite in the spirit of the situation!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up
That is absolutely brilliant! You always manage to capture the most unexpected photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection of penny farthings! 32 is still very impressive.
ReplyDeleteLOve the bottom one looking through all the spokes.
ReplyDeletelove the picture through the spokes, great angle
ReplyDelete