Rolf Woodward, Founder and Director of Command-R Ltd, an Apple technology and cybersecurity firm serving businesses across the Thames Valley and west London, has provisionally achieved a new Guinness World Record during a 24-hour penny farthing endurance event held at Palmer Park Velodrome in Reading on 6 and 7 August 2026.
Rolf completed the fastest 100km on a penny farthing, securing one of four provisional records achieved by Penny Farthing Club riders over the course of the event. The result is subject to formal verification by Guinness World Records.
Command-R Ltd was a sponsor of the event, which featured eight endurance, speed, no-handed and tandem penny farthing record challenges and raised money for respiratory charity Keep Me Breathing.
The four records provisionally achieved were:
Fastest 100km on a penny farthing — Rolf Woodward, 4 hours 55 minutes 34 seconds
Longest penny farthing ride without dismounting — Richard Thoday, 382.3km
Furthest distance in one hour on a tandem penny farthing — Tim Maltin and Rufus Flann, 21.9719km
Fastest speed on a penny farthing — Guy Banham, 42.15km/h
Rolf Woodward said: “Achieving this record here in Berkshire, with so many people supporting us at Palmer Park, made it particularly special. It was an incredibly demanding challenge, but knowing that we were raising money for Keep Me Breathing gave me even more determination to keep pushing. I am delighted with the result and very grateful to everyone who helped make the attempt possible.
“I already hold two Guinness World Records as part of group penny farthing achievements, but this was my first individual record. My wife set her own record two years ago, and in June my two children achieved the record for the smallest rideable penny farthing together. I was the last one in the family without an individual record. That has now been put right.”
Neil Laughton, founder of the Penny Farthing Club, said: “We are incredibly proud of every rider who took part. Achieving four provisional records was a fantastic result, but it was equally important to bring people together and raise money for such an important cause. Rolf’s achievement was a real highlight, particularly as a Berkshire-based rider setting a record here in Reading. Thank you to everyone who supported the riders, volunteered or came to Palmer Park to cheer us on.”
The event raised money for Keep Me Breathing, a UK-registered charity developing new monitoring and breathing-support technologies for people living with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome and other serious respiratory conditions, including VENTO, a wearable carbon dioxide monitor, and a longer-term advanced breathing pacemaker.
James Oakley, CEO and co-founder of Keep Me Breathing, said: “We are enormously grateful to Neil, Rolf, the Penny Farthing Club and every rider who took on these extraordinary challenges. Every donation helps bring us closer to giving CCHS children who stop breathing every time they go to sleep greater freedom and independence.”
Donations can still be made at keepmebreathing.com/contribute
The event was also supported by Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency (REDA).
Command-R Ltd is a Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce member providing Apple device management, cybersecurity and managed IT services to businesses and schools across the Thames Valley and west London. command-r.co.uk
About the Penny Farthing Club: Founded in 2013 by Neil Laughton, the Penny Farthing Club promotes the enjoyment, history and competitive riding of penny farthing bicycles. Its Honorary President is round-the-world cycling record holder Mark Beaumont. pennyfarthingclub.com
About Keep Me Breathing: Keep Me Breathing is a UK-registered charity developing medical technologies for children and patients living with CCHS. Registered charity number 1201757. keepmebreathing.com
