National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race

01/25/2026

Stay safe and warm everyone!

11/27/2025

We are grateful for our family of high wheel racers and race supporters!

10/10/2025

🏁 Important Announcement: High Wheel Race Update 🏁

After more than a decade of thrilling races through the streets of Frederick, the National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race will be moving to a biennial (every two years) schedule.

This means there will be no race in 2026, and the next High Wheel Race will take place on July 10, 2027.

This new schedule will allow us to:
✨ Continue growing and enhancing the event experience for riders, spectators, and sponsors.
💪 Strengthen our long-term sustainability.
🎉 Keep the High Wheel Race a signature, high-quality event for years to come.

We deeply appreciate the incredible support from our community, volunteers, sponsors and participants who make this event so special. We can’t wait to see everyone back in 2027 for an even bigger and better race! 🚴‍♂️💨

09/16/2025

https://youtu.be/WZN2KnXVtPA?si=F9qYQXHEJHCwYij3

🇺🇸 Who Will Win This Crazy High Wheels Bike Race? ...

07/23/2025

If you missed buying any of the race merchandise there is still some inventory for sale at the North Market Pop Shop. You can order conveniently online if you cannot make it into the shop in person! Shirt/poster design this year by local Frederick artist Ellen Byrne
Proceeds support event planning to bring this unique event to Frederick each yesr!

https://www.northmarketpopshop.com/s/search?q=high%20wheel%20race

07/19/2025

Our race wouldn’t roll without our incredible sponsors! Their generosity keeps the high wheels spinning, the riders flying, and this one-of-a-kind tradition in Frederick alive.

THANK YOU to our sponsors for making the magic happen! 💛 🚴‍♀️

Brewer's Alley Visit Frederick - Maryland AJ Moving Services - Frederick MD Colonial Jewelers Downtown Frederick Partnership Graphcom Gravel & Grind Convoy Creatives Maryland Double Deckers Roy Rogers Wegmans RS Will Wealth Management North Market Pop Shop Tim Beachley Hill Killer PJ's Roofing Thermo Fisher Scientific

07/16/2025

🎉 A Huge Thank You to Our Volunteers! 🚴‍♂️☀️

To the incredible volunteers of the Frederick community who showed up, powered through the summer heat, and made this year's National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race such a success — we see you, and we are so grateful.

From early setup to keeping racers and spectators safe all day long, you brought the energy, the dedication, and the heart. ❤️

Many of you come back year after year — and it shows. This race wouldn’t be what it is without you.

You’re the real champions behind the wheels.
Thank you for making history happen, one race at a time!

07/16/2025

Wow! We even made it onto the Global Cycling News (GCN)! Check the shout out of our race!

This week, we're asking a controversial question: is the Tour de France still the ultimate test of human endurance? We dive into the history of the race, com...

07/16/2025

And the great coverage of the race continues to roll in!

A race touted as "America's only high wheel bike race," where the wheels are bigger than most 5th graders, and stopping isn't really an option on these penny-farthings.

07/15/2025

The Penny Farthing Is Alive & Well In 2025!

Enjoy a light-hearted article that touches on why we enjoy the high wheel race so much!

The National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race takes place every summer in Frederick, Maryland

07/15/2025

We would like to once again congratulate our 🏆 2025 National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race Winners!

Full race results ➡️ https://www.itsrace.com/results

Top Overall:
🥇Chris Meacham (Perkasie, PA) 🇺🇸
🥈Per Olof Kippel (Tomelilla, Sweden) 🇸🇪
🥉Nyle Blanck (Milford, CT) 🇺🇸

Female Category:
🥇Melissa Eisdell (London, England) 🇬🇧
🥈Sheryl Kennedy (Hagerstown, MD) 🇺🇸
🥉Grace Rollins (Doylestown, PA) 🇺🇸

Midway Milers (Age 50-59) Category:
🥇Eric Cameron (Frederick, MD) 🇺🇸
🥈Martin Baechler (Clear Brook, VA) 🇺🇸
🥉Brian Caron (Hagerstown, MD) 🇺🇸

Dashing Brigade (Age 60+) Category:
🥇Fidel Enrique Irizarry Rivera (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) 🇵🇷
🥈Thomas Hawkins (Wallingford, PA) 🇺🇸
🥉Oliver King (Frederick, MD) 🇺🇸

Intermission Event Winners:
Low Wheel Race: Jeff Meyers (Middletown, MD)
Slow Race: Daniel Gohlke (Frederick, MD)

Photos by Glenn Harmon Photography

07/14/2025

Meet Bill Soloway — a true symbol of strength, gratitude, and second chances.

Every year, we’re honored to welcome Bill back to the High Wheel Race. But he’s more than just a remarkable racer — Bill is a whole heart recipient whose journey reminds us of the incredible gift of life that organ donation can bring. His story, recently featured in the Frederick News-Post, is a moving testament to the power of generosity and the enduring human spirit.

Because one family said “yes” to donation, Bill was given the chance to keep pedaling forward — not just in races, but in life. He now rides with purpose, advocating for organ, eye, and tissue donation from atop his high wheel bicycle.

You, too, can be someone’s second chance. Please consider registering as an organ donor today. Your decision could one day save a life — or even many.

Learn more and register at Donate Life America https://donatelife.net/

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/tourism/heart-donation-by-one-mans-son-allows-another-to-advocate-from-atop-a-high-wheel/article_8d08a684-0e24-570a-a02e-3dd629aa816e.html

Jim Zimmerman traveled from his home in Pittsburgh to watch the National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race on Saturday in downtown Frederick, just like thousands of other spectators.