Big wheels roll in; celebrations begin

Noel Andrew (left) and Graeme Simpson lead a group of penny-farthing and safety cycle riders...
Noel Andrew (left) and Graeme Simpson lead a group of penny-farthing and safety cycle riders through lower Thames St in Oamaru yesterday.
Milton Primary School pupils Jonathan Williams, Adorique May and Shayna Lloyd ride penny...
Milton Primary School pupils Jonathan Williams, Adorique May and Shayna Lloyd ride penny-farthings during their school interval yesterday. Photos by Sally Rae and Craig Baxter.

Colourful Oamaru artist Donna Demente quipped she had a pair of used thighs for sale as she cycled through the town yesterday afternoon, marking the end of a four-day New Zealand penny-farthing tour.

The group, which included Ms Demente and her poodle Tuppence in the basket of her vintage safety cycle, cycled 250km from Manapouri to Milton.

The riders then drove to Oamaru yesterday for the official opening of the town's Victorian heritage celebrations.

One of the tour organisers, Wendy Dean, said it had been a "wonderful" trip, blessed with a tailwind just about all the way.

She was particularly delighted with the response from children.

Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton, who welcomed the group, said they had represented the community very well.

Speaking at the official opening of the celebrations in Smiths Grain Store, Mr Familton wished everyone "the very best of fun" over the next few days.

Wearing a top hat and tails, Mr Familton said the celebrations were becoming well known throughout New Zealand and he praised organising committee chairwoman Sally Hope and committee members for their hard work.

The celebrations continue today with a promenade along Thames St, a Victorian garden party in the Oamaru Public Gardens and the Victorian heritage ball at the Scottish Hall.

Penny-farthing riders will be back in action at the 14th national penny-farthing and veteran cycle championships tomorrow afternoon and there will also be a street parade at 11.30am and a trolley derby at 12.30pm.

The celebrations conclude on Sunday with the Victorian fete.

• Pupils from Milton Primary School have been riding penny-farthings for less than a year, but they are already doing "hair-raising" tricks like riding with no hands and pulling "backwards wheelies" in the school's courtyard.

A group of penny-farthing enthusiasts bound for Oamaru visited the school yesterday as part of their tour from Manapouri.

The riders were impressed with the pupils' riding skills.

Milton Primary School principal Bryan Freeman said the pupils could do "amazing things if you just give them the break".

He said they were also skilled unicycle riders, stilt walkers, skippers and pogo-stick jumpers.

"It's all part of widening their experiences, developing their skills, building their confidence and enriching their lives.

"Busy children are well-behaved children."

The idea of riding various types of bikes came four years ago when the school's caretaker, Glenn Wilson, picked up a unicycle left by a visiting clown and began riding it.

"The kids' faces just lit up. They were amazed the school caretaker was riding a unicycle," Mr Wilson said.

Everyone wanted to have a go, and since then, Mr Wilson has built more than 20 unicycles, 10 penny-farthings, a tandem bicycle and a skite (a cross between a skateboard and a bike) for pupils to ride on school grounds.

 

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