Penny Farthing high wheel bicycle

The Penny Farthing bicycle obtained its name from the penny and farthing coins of the time. The bike was made entirely of metal instead of wood and the tires were rubber. The high centre of gravity often caused the rider to topple forward whenever it hit any small obstacle. This bicycle was given to local business man George Ace (1861-1943). In 1879 he became Amateur Cycling Champion of Wales and Monmouthshire holding the title until he retired in 1885. The same year he rode from Haverfordwest to Tenby in one hour twenty-four minutes on roads that where not smooth with tarmac and on a bike that had no gears and weighed forty pounds. Later in life he became actively involved with motor cars and is credited with introducing the first autocar into Wales.