The ORDINARY Man
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The Ordinary Bicycle more commonly known as the Penny Farthing, evolved in my opinion simply for men to race/ride against each other. By making the front driven wheel larger in diameter a rider could go further with one revolution as against that of a smaller wheeled machine . . simple gearing ! Chains were known at the time but did not figure in the designers minds when creating the first Bicycle ~ The Ordinary ..... History over . . now for the riding of one.
Wheel size around the 1870's was important so your inside leg measurement would be required by the cycle maker in order to produce a machine of 'your' size. To big and your legs are not long enough, to small and your leg fouled the handlebars. Early in the 1880's maker's designed a curved bar which gave much more latitude . . so don't just mount a machine without checking if it fits you.
Assuming you now have your P/F, select ideally a smooth flat peice of tarmac and place the front of your left foot onto the step/mounting peg ( normally located on the left of most machines ) Holding the handlebars, lean into the machine, place your free right foot slightly forward and scoot by pushing back against the ground. Once you have achieved forward movement, it might take a couple of pushes before you do, then stand upright on the peg. Do nothing else but hold this standing position allowing the machine to come to a standstill. The wheel moves from side to side or is it me ? you will ask and experience. When at a standstill, then gracefully step down. I would suggest this action is tried several times before taking the next step, that of sliding onto the saddle and feeling for the pedals. Don't go looking or feeling for the pedals as they will come to you. Once into the saddle I would advise that you, asumming you have taken your left foot from the peg, instantly re-locate your left foot on to the peg, slide off the saddle and stand upright allowing once again the machine to come to a standstill before gracefully dismounting. The art of riding an Ordinary( P/F ) is not in the saddle but knowing how to get on and off.
Now having tried this a few times comes the full riding test that of mounting, pedalling and dismounting.
Locate left foot, taking care that the wheel, which will move when starting to mount does not foul your toe, then scoot , stand, slip onto the saddle, wait for pedals to come round, place feet on pedals and exert pressure. Instantly you will feel the wheel move towards the side of your pedalling action. Counteract this by gently gripping the handlebar at the end opposite the forward pedal pressure. I.E. grip left as you exert pressure to the right and visa-versa.
Unless you are in a wide area do not as yet try to turn until you have mastered the dismount.
Rule: When you decide to dismount . . DO NOT LOOK DOWN and BACK when trying to locate the peg with your left foot. Once located stand and allow the machine to slow down before stepping off to the ground.
Please take care as in a hurry to mount it is simple to go over the front and it's a long way down. Once mastered ( I am biased ) there has not and is not a more elegant and regal bicycle to experience. As a final note, I have been riding these wonderful machines since the 1970's in the UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and in Tasmania and so I write this advice from personal experince.
The ORDINARY MAN..
Wheel size around the 1870's was important so your inside leg measurement would be required by the cycle maker in order to produce a machine of 'your' size. To big and your legs are not long enough, to small and your leg fouled the handlebars. Early in the 1880's maker's designed a curved bar which gave much more latitude . . so don't just mount a machine without checking if it fits you.
Assuming you now have your P/F, select ideally a smooth flat peice of tarmac and place the front of your left foot onto the step/mounting peg ( normally located on the left of most machines ) Holding the handlebars, lean into the machine, place your free right foot slightly forward and scoot by pushing back against the ground. Once you have achieved forward movement, it might take a couple of pushes before you do, then stand upright on the peg. Do nothing else but hold this standing position allowing the machine to come to a standstill. The wheel moves from side to side or is it me ? you will ask and experience. When at a standstill, then gracefully step down. I would suggest this action is tried several times before taking the next step, that of sliding onto the saddle and feeling for the pedals. Don't go looking or feeling for the pedals as they will come to you. Once into the saddle I would advise that you, asumming you have taken your left foot from the peg, instantly re-locate your left foot on to the peg, slide off the saddle and stand upright allowing once again the machine to come to a standstill before gracefully dismounting. The art of riding an Ordinary( P/F ) is not in the saddle but knowing how to get on and off.
Now having tried this a few times comes the full riding test that of mounting, pedalling and dismounting.
Locate left foot, taking care that the wheel, which will move when starting to mount does not foul your toe, then scoot , stand, slip onto the saddle, wait for pedals to come round, place feet on pedals and exert pressure. Instantly you will feel the wheel move towards the side of your pedalling action. Counteract this by gently gripping the handlebar at the end opposite the forward pedal pressure. I.E. grip left as you exert pressure to the right and visa-versa.
Unless you are in a wide area do not as yet try to turn until you have mastered the dismount.
Rule: When you decide to dismount . . DO NOT LOOK DOWN and BACK when trying to locate the peg with your left foot. Once located stand and allow the machine to slow down before stepping off to the ground.
Please take care as in a hurry to mount it is simple to go over the front and it's a long way down. Once mastered ( I am biased ) there has not and is not a more elegant and regal bicycle to experience. As a final note, I have been riding these wonderful machines since the 1970's in the UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and in Tasmania and so I write this advice from personal experince.
The ORDINARY MAN..
