National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race

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UniqueFrederick
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesIt is described in local and national
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race in Frederick

The National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race is an annual penny-farthing bicycle race held each July in downtown Frederick, Maryland, first run in 2012. Billed as the only race of its kind in the United States, it is a free, family-friendly criterium on a 0.4-mile loop through the city's historic downtown streets, named for Frederick's Clustered Spires skyline.

The National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race began in 2012 as a small addition to Frederick's summer calendar: a competitive race staged entirely on penny-farthings, the tall, single-front-wheel bicycles that dominated cycling in the 1870s and 1880s before the modern safety bicycle made them obsolete.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

It is described in local and national coverage as America's only high wheel bicycle race, a genuinely singular event within U

02

The mystery stays covered

Riders compete on antique or replica penny-farthings, oversized front-wheel bicycles between 36 and 54 inches tall with no modern brakes, a format that demands balance and technique unlike any modern bike race

03

The city starts moving

The event has grown from 25 entrants in its first year to 65 in 2024, with riders traveling from as far as Belgium, Sweden, and Puerto Rico to compete, and Maryland's Sheryl Kennedy has been the dominant women's champion across nearly every year the race has run

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The race's name and route draw directly on Frederick's local identity: Clustered Spires is the common nickname for the city's distinctive downtown church rooflines

Water and renewal

Living ritual

celebrated in nineteenth-century poetry and still used as Frederick's civic nickname today

The sacred route

Living ritual

Racing on unmodified or lightly modified antique and replica penny-farthings

The local code

Living ritual

with wheel sizes fixed between 36 and 54 inches and no modern brakes permitted

Tradition 5

Living ritual

is the race's defining and unbroken rule since its 2012 founding

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race, plan transport around the exact Frederick venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

July in Frederick is typically hot and humid; light, breathable summer clothing, a hat, and sunglasses are recommended for spectators standing along the downtown criterium loop.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race, stay near the part of Frederick you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.41 N, 77.41 WOpen in Google Maps

Frederick, MD

Nearest airportIAD — Washington Dulles
TransportFor National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race, plan transport around the exact Frederick venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race, stay near the part of Frederick you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Frederick via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Frederick, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearJuly in Frederick is typically hot and humid; light, breathable summer clothing, a hat, and sunglasses are recommended for spectators standing along the downtown criterium loop.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race?

National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race is listed for July · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race take place?

The festival is listed in Frederick, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Frederick, MD

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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