Search
shop

Mark Bayliss does London to Brighton… on a Penny Farthing

London to Brighton on a bike? How about on a penny farthing?! That's what Mark Bayliss, an Enduroman Arch to Arc world record holder was busy doing on Sunday
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Enduroman Arch to Arc record holder takes on a new challenge

The name Bayliss is a familiar one in triathlon. This news piece isn’t about his multiple Ironman winning brother and sister-in-law, Stephen and Bella, but Mark Bayliss.

The 122nd London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (www.veterancarrun.com) was held on Sunday, an annual event of vintage vehicles which sees a colourful sight of cars, bikes and cycles with drivers and passengers dressed in period costume. Mark’s mode of transport? A penny farthing.

Mark is no stranger to endurance challenges including multiple IRONMAN events, 35 ultra’s, Marathon des Sables and a solo English Channel swim along with several relays. In 2012 Mark completed the Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathlon from London to Paris, breaking the world record at the time (during which he completed the swim non-wetsuit). Mark is still the fastest Arch to Arc finisher to have completed the event without a wetsuit.

Mark’s training had been fitted in to his busy work life as director of Croydon based Wings Transport Ltd and was mainly done at night and weekends.

Mark Bayliss Penny Farthing Ride

Setting off at sunrise, Mark’s ride took just under five hours gaining wonderful support from the crowds along the route with many foreign tourists looking with disbelief at the whole affair.

Mark Bayliss Penny Farthing Ride

The biggest challenge was the many hills on the route as the penny farthing has no gears and a fixed wheel. Mark arrived in Brighton to bright sunshine at noon, “apart from some sore bits, I found the experience exhilarating”.

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...