In spring 2023, on a single day (May 4th … “Star Wars Day” apparently), I rode across London (along with Tom Mouse) on a penny farthing, crossing all 20 of the River Thames’ road bridges from Tower Bridge to Hampton Court Bridge, a total distance of over 30 miles. I started from Tower Bridge at 10.30 and finished seven hours later at 17.30, at Hampton Court Bridge. The cycle was great fun, with a fair amount of time being taken up doing photoshoots for tourists. It was also tiring, with blustery winds of over 25mph adding to the excitement.
I had originally planned to undertake this challenge in 2022, but as you are doubtless aware there was at this time a world shortage of penny farthings! I was fortunate to eventually take delivery of my machine at the end of 2022 and so my 2022 Charity Challenge took place in the spring of 2023!
Pictures from the challenge are shown below:
Tom Mouse, as forward observer, on the magnificent Trott & Sons penny farthing …
“Apparel oft proclaims the man” … and the mouse! Socks are from the Down’s Syndrome Association’s “lots of socks” range, celebrating difference.
After crossing Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, we are on to bridge number six, Westminster Bridge.
Spies amongst us will recognise the MI6 building, the former office of Tom Mouse, or “M” as he was simply known …
After crossing Lambeth Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge and Chelsea Bridge, we make a pit stop in Battersea Park …
… and then onto the beautiful Albert Bridge (built in 1873 as a toll bridge; the bridge toll booths are the only surviving examples in London)
At times we are able to follow the Thames Path, and see converted 19th century Thames sailing barges which now make comfortable, and expensive homes …
Having crossed Battersea Bridge, Wandsworth Bridge and Putney Bridge, we skirt round Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham Football Club.
A bit further and we are on to the wonderful Hammersmith Bridge, (which is currently closed to cars).
An “eight” from one of the numerous local rowing clubs is out on the river …
On to our fifteenth bridge, Chiswick Bridge, which is alongside the finish marker for The Boat Race (held annually between Oxford and Cambridge universities)
Evening traffic builds on the North Circular Road across Kew Bridge.
Having crossed Twickenham Bridge, we approach Richmond Bridge.
A stop at the Down’s Syndrome Association head office at Langdon Park in Teddington. The Langdon Down Centre is the former home of the pioneering Victorian physician, Dr John Langdon Down, after whom Down’s syndrome was named …
Over Kingston Bridge, and we are nearly there …
… past Hampton Court Palace, (dating back to 1514, it was one of the favourite residences of Henry VIII) … and for us a short distance on to the finish, our bridge number twenty, Hampton Court Bridge.
We have covered over 30 miles and crossed 20 bridges on the penny farthing, and seen some wonderful parts of the River Thames and London. It has been a grand day out, all in support of the Down’s Syndrome Association and Woolgrove School, Special Needs Academy, and in loving memory of Tom Barr.
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