IT only took one chance ride in Tasmania for Wagga cyclist Adrian Hamilton to get hooked by the penny farthing.
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Growing up in Marrar, Hamilton had always admired a penny farthing that sat in an old antique shop in Matong.
Hamilton got the opportunity to ride one on a trip to Tasmania a few years ago, and that quick ride resulted in him coming second in the national penny farthing championships shortly afterwards.
On Saturday, Hamilton will compete in front of a home crowd when Wagga host the NSW State Penny Farthing Championships.
He can’t wait.
“As much as it’s race...and I’m competitive and want to do well but it’s all about having a ride and having fun,” Hamilton said.
“It’s a bit of a spectacle for Wagga and it’s just good to be involved.”
Among the 14 entries for the championships is two-time national champion James Fowler. There will also be a Norwegian visitor, who has also made his way to Wagga for the event, while the ages range from 30 to 70.
“Ever since I gave up footy in 99, I got into mountain biking, I got into road racing, it's just what I do now,” Hamilton said.
“I remember there was a penny farthing in Matong Memories, an old antique shop, years ago and I’ve always wanted one but never ever got around to buying one.
“I went to Tassie for a guys bike trip in February and the national championships were on, someone lent us a bike, I jumped on and rode it and it went from there.”
The penny farthing action gets underway from 4pm at the cycling track inside Wagga Cricket Ground in Kincaid Street.
