Few 200-year-old hobby horses have survived. So replicas were built by cycle enthusiasts to enjoy the sensations that would have been experienced by the original pioneers. There were no pedals in those days. To move forwards, the rider sat astride of the machine and walked it along, and then coasted once they had built up sufficient speed. It was known as ‘Swift-walking’.
1819 Hobby Horse (Replica)
LENGTH: 60″
WIDTH: 16″
HEIGHT: 45″
25″ wooden wheel rims, spokes and hubs & metal band tyres
(Now sold)
Most original hobby horses are in museums and are much too valuable to use on the road. So enthusiasts build their own, and many also ride them in vintage events. The interesting thing about this type of machine is that despite it being over two centuries since the Hobby Horse was invented, traditional carpentry, blacksmith work, saddlemaking and wheelwright skills have not changed that much. So it’s possible to use similar methods of construction to create replicas.
I bought this one from my friend Paul who has used it often over the years and also had it on display at his museum. You can see a video I took of it in use in 2017. It’s in excellent condition and ready to ride.
THE RED HOBBY HORSE IN ACTION
PINNOCK’S CATECHISM OF MECHANICS
The following explanation of the Hobby Horse appeared in ‘Pinnock’s Catechism of Mechanics,’ published in 1823.
DENIS JOHNSON’S HOBBY HORSE
Denis Johnson (born 1760) was a coachmaker who patented the ‘Pedestrian Curricle’, or ‘Hobby Horse’, in England. His premises were located at 75 Long Acre, London.
It seems that just over 300 machines were built, with production having been estimated at around 25 a week. Two were sold in May 1819 to the Duke of Northumberland for £11 each. The early machines were steered by long, curved, iron rods that connected to the front wheel hub, but most were made with the handlebar operating directly onto the top of the front forks. Johnson managed to improve the hobby horse with iron forks instead of wood, and a curved frame that was more elegant and lighter (around 50 lbs).
Riding schools were established to teach people how to ride this revolutionary new form of independent transportation.
BICENTENNIAL OF THE DENIS JOHNSON HOBBY HORSE
I worked as the publicity officer at the International Cycling History Conference at The Guildhall in the City of London in 2018, so I attended this nearby event celebrating the 200 year anniversary of Denis Johnson’s hobby horse. I photographed enthusiasts riding their (replica) hobby horses to Johnson’s original shop at 75 Long Acre in Covent Garden.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON
As a footnote, at the International Cycle History Conference, my friend Paul Adams and I – as creators of bicycle museums – each received the ‘Freedom of the City of London’. This ceremony was first recorded in 1237, and in the early days it entitled the holder of that ‘freedom’ to bring sheep to the Guildhall to sell. I brought my Michaux velocipede and borrowed a costume from Andrew. You can see Paul Adams (in a red costume) riding this red hobby horse in several of the photos above and in the video.
