Modern day adventurer Joff Summerfield is all set to fulfil a lifetime ambition to cycle around the world. By anyone’s standards, this is an ambitious project, but the single detail that makes his venture all the more remarkable is that he will be doing it on a Penny Farthing. His machine, a copy of an original 1880’s bicycle, has one gear, a hard leather saddle and solid tyres – no modern technology to make pedalling easier.
Joff began his journey on 1st May from 0 degrees Latitude at the Greenwich Observatory, London. He will head across Europe into Turkey, from there into Iran, Pakistan and India, and then through Nepal to Everest base camp. This, he believes, will be the first ever crossing of the Himalayas on a Penny Farthing. Joff will continue northwards to Tibet and China, then through Southeast Asia and onto Australia. To complete the circumnavigation, a ride across the USA and Canada will bring him home to England three years after he started.
Cycling alone and with no backup, Joff will be carrying all his equipment with him throughout his adventure. His £5 a day budget means he will be spending most nights under ‘canvas’. Terra Nova is providing him with the lightest tent in the world – the Laser Competition, which uses the latest in tent design and technology to achieve its sub-1kg weight. To help Joff with comfort on his Penny Farthing, we have also provided him with Extremities hats and gloves.
With only a few weeks until he leaves, Joff said, “I’m now counting the days before setting off on this adventure, and the happy difference between this time and previous journeys is that I will be able to spend my evenings in my lovely new lightweight tent. A big thank you to Terra Nova for that!”
Cycling around the world using the most up-to-date bicycle is ambitious enough; choosing to go by penny farthing is something quite amazing. We are delighted to be supporting Joff in his world tour, ensuring that he has some modern technology to shelter him at night!
2,250 miles (3,621 km) so far after 81 days from Greenwich via the ferry to Holland, then Germany and into the Czech Republic. Followed by a quick jaunt through Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and finally Turkey. For more great pictures, check out Joff’s Diary at Joff’s Diary
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2,250 miles (3,621 km) so far after 81 days from Greenwich via the ferry to Holland, then Germany and into the Czech Republic. Followed by a quick jaunt through Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and finally Turkey.
For more great pictures, check out Joff’s Diary at Joff’s Diary