Port Macquarie's Hugh McLaurin has a real passion for riding penny-farthings.
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The high wheel bicycles were popular in the 1870s and 1880s before becoming mostly obsolete from the late 1880s as shorter cycles were developed.
The name originally comes from the similar shape of a British penny and farthing coin compared to the bicycle.
Mr McLaurin said it was something unique to see in Port Macquarie and a constant conversation starter.
"People are always very interested in the bike and usually remember seeing them in books, they are quite iconic," he said.
"The secret to riding a penny-farthing is not sitting there for hour after hour, where possible try to peddle hard to get the blood flowing.
"I usually ride down along Hastings River to Cassegrain Winery."
Riding a penny farthing is not without unique challenges, notably a complete lack of brakes and a running start.
"I have to ride down hills very carefully because when I'm going down the hill I use my shoe as pressure on the back wheel to slow down," he said.
"Different from today's bicycles, a rider cannot stand up on the pedals and must get on or off while it's moving."
Mr McLaurin said he was originally hooked into the cycling oddity when he saw a photo of the National Penny Farthing Championships held in northern Tasmania.
The international tournament is held in conjunction with the Evandale Village Fair annually in February and was originally started in 1983.
"I'd seen a colour picture in the newspaper of riders during the Evandale races," he said.
"It seemed to be something very unique and exciting.
"I got two which were handcrafted, formed and welded by Dan Bolwell in Melbourne.
"It did seem like a good idea at the time and I was one of the first customers."
During the championship cyclists race in four laps of a circuit against seven other riders, totalling around one mile.
There is also a slow race won by the last over the line, a two at a time slalom around witches' hats, novice race, a 200 metre dash, relay, biathlon and obstacle course.
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