Frederick High Wheel Race

Frederick High Wheel Race by sso

That looks like Gwadzilla on the bike, but it's hard to be sure.

Frederick, MD hosted the Frederick Clustered Spires High Wheel Race on Saturday

It was the first high-wheel race in the United States, and one of only four races like it in the world. The rider who completed the most laps around the 0.4-mile course in an hour would be the winner.

Twenty men and five women competed in Saturday’s race. There were three married couples, one orthopedic surgeon and one Guinness record holder. Steve Carter, 68 and no relation to Keith, crossed the country on his high wheel in 33 days, setting a world record.

Rick Stumpf of Missouri won the men’s race with 42 laps and Carol Kennedy of Hagerstown the women’s with 37

Wobbling on a high wheel for only his second time was someone accustomed to going a bit faster: three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, in town for Tour de Frederick, a weekend-long charity bike event.

LeMond rode in the victory lap, but did not race.

Unfortunately, the event was marred by a serious injury. One rideris in serious but stable condition at a hospital.

Police say 54-year-old Alison Torpey of Louisville hit her head just below her helmet in a fall from her penny farthing bicycle Saturday.

Comments

[Tara]

We had to leave before the Penny Farthing race, but I can't say enough good things about the Tour de Frederick. Saturday's charity ride was well mapped, well supported,and filled with genuinely nice people out for a good ride. The gorgeous weather didn't hurt, either. In short, it was the kind of day that reminds you of why you got into cycling in the first place.

[gary]

It was a great event to witness. Suggest cutting the event time to 30 minutes, and having an ambulance standing by in the event of injury. Hope Alison Torpey will fully recover from her injury.