Penny Farthing passion for Grant

National Penny Farthing Championships

When: Saturday, February 15

Where: Streets of Evandale

Time: 9.30am-4pm

Tickets: $17 at the gate or available at events.humanitix.com/evandale-national-penny-farthing-championships-2025/tickets (Under 16 free)

GRANT Maynard might not be the fastest penny farthing rider, but no one could beat him for enthusiasm and the love of Evandale’s great race.

 “There are riders who are good at sprinting and riders who are good at long distance – I’m pretty much useless at everything, but I’m super keen,” he laughed.

 “But one of the weirdest races is the obstacle race and I think I’ve won nine gold medals in that, it seems to be my thing.

 “You have to run up the street, carry your bike back down the street, roll it back up the street and ride it back down the street, and for some reason it just suits me!” For a teacher and folk musician, he goes okay in the slalom race too, where riders weave between the cones.

 “The only reason I can do that one is because I ride my penny farthing down the street most days to get my milk so I have a home-town advantage,” he said.

 Two of Mr Maynard’s three daughters, Clare and Bridie, are also talented high-wheel riders, often seen pedalling alongside their dad around town.

 Clare is currently away in New Zealand but Bridie will be back to defend the sprint title she won last year and, if all goes well, have a crack at bettering her second place in the women’s nationals.

 “It’s such a good community event – I can’t decide which is more fun, being in it, watching it or helping out at it – the Northern Midlands does it well and it gets great exposure for our area,” Mr Maynard said.

 About half a dozen locals take part in the races which are keenly contested by riders from around  the world.

 Last year’s men’s winner, Simon Weir from Canberra, will be back and looking for three in a row and to add to a total of 12 wins overall, and Canadian-born Sydney athlete Lizanne Wilmot will also return to defend her women’s title.

 Mr Maynard has been immersed in the event since 2002, and is currently on the organising committee.

 He fell into penny-farthing racing when he friend Jeff McClintock was starting a business taking people for half-day tours on penny farthings and asked him to come along and play some music at the launch.

 “I was just there to entertain and when a film crew showed up Jeff threw me a helmet and said get on!” Mr Maynard said.

 “My very first ride was filmed which was scary, but I have to admit living in this town it really is just a great thing to do.

 “My girls and I borrowed bikes from Jeff to get us started and have never looked back.

” This weekend the National Penny Farthing Championships will once again see the township swell with spectators and old[1]world delights.

 While there is no fair attached to the championship this year Mr Maynard said there would be plenty of food and entertainment.

 Borys Zagrocki who performs extreme bicycle stunts will put on a show to thrill all ages.

 “Our small team has pulled off a big thing to keep this event going – I’m so proud of this little town for the way it shows its support,” Mr Maynard said