It has taken nearly 140 years but by the end of next week, New Zealand will finally have been conquered by a penny-farthing.
Oamaru's David Wilson is nearing the end of his trip of more than 2000km, from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga, on his replica 1882, 1.4m, wheeled penny-farthing, which this week he discovered with the help of the big game fish scales at Russell in the Bay of Islands, weighed in at a whopping 57kg.
From Stewart Island to Cape Reinga on a Penny Farthing
Mr Wilson, a "big wheeler" since 1992 and clad in tailor-made Victorian era clothing, is making the mammoth effort to promote Oamaru's Victorian heritage precinct and to scope out the country for an international penny-farthing meet in 2014, when 50 international big wheelers will travel to New Zealand and ride some of the most picturesque parts.
He will also be the first man to cycle a penny-farthing the length of the country. The bicycles were introduced to New Zealand in the 1870s before being overtaken by the safety bicycle in the 1880s.
"It's never been done before, so I thought, `I am the captain of the Oamaru penny-farthing club, it's time it was done'."
The bicycle has no gears and for steep hills Mr Wilson has to get off and push. On steep downhills the tiny spoon brake is useless.
"As soon as I feel it's starting to get away from me I quickly dismount... it's get off or pray."
He expects to reach Cape Reinga on Thursday after more than three months on the road.
Mr Wilson, who declined to reveal his age, said it had been physically very demanding.
"I have lost quite a few kilos. It's also been mentally challenging because I have no backing crew."
Nevertheless, it had been a fantastic adventure.
"This has really shown me the best side of New Zealand I could dream of, and I am seeing the country from the top of a 54-inch wheel."
NZN