Penny farthings are gaining a whole new popularity in Oamaru.
Mitchell Fox, 14, became the New Zealand men's open champion on Sunday in a race run as part of Oamaru's Victorian Heritage Week.
He said he had been practising for the penny farthing championship race for a year, after seeing a man riding one through the town.
He also intends to represent New Zealand at the world championships in Australia next year.
Mitchell says a few years ago, nobody was riding the large-wheeled bicycle, but this year about 12 penny farthing riders have just completed a tour from Mount Cook to Oamaru on a new cycleway.
The annual Victorian fete in Oamaru's 150th year attracted about 5000 people.
Penny farthing bikes featured at the Victorian fete day. Photo: RNZ
