British cyclist rides penny farthing into China on global trek

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

GUANTING, China (AFP) — With 13,600 kilometres (8,400 miles) already covered on his 19th century "penny farthing" bicycle, a 39-year-old Briton has embarked on one of the toughest legs of his world trek -- China.

Fresh from the roads of New Zealand where he was nearly run over by a lorry, Joff Summerfield is hoping that drivers in the nation known as the "Kingdom of Bicycles" will be more friendly.

"The lorries in New Zealand have been the worst in any country so far, and one finally managed to get me, breaking my wrist," Summerfield told AFP near China's Great Wall this week on his second day out of Beijing.

The penny farthing is one of the world's earliest bicycles, boasting a giant front wheel that has a 47-inch diameter and a tiny back wheel.

The...