DESPITE attracting participants from interstate and overseas, the talk of this year's National Penny Farthing Championships at Evandale was a tiny mouse.
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The mouse launched racer Gray McKinnel on to a spectator after it darted from the hay bale barrier onto the road.
While onlookers insisted Mr McKinnel had been dismounted by the rodent, the racer said he had simply taken the corner too widely.
One of the event's organisers and sponsors, Di Sullivan, said despite the minor mishap, the championships had been a great success.
``It's about good fun and it brings in a whole range of riders,'' Mrs Sullivan said.
One rider far from his home in southern India was Gokulan Gopal.
The penny farthing enthusiast, who works in Sydney, had participated in the National Penny Farthing championships since 2011.
``It's like when you go into a shop you might see a pair of shoes and you think `That's for me, this is my thing','' Mr Gopal said.
The sentiment was echoed by women's event winner Kat Jungnickel, who in previous years travelled from London to Evandale for the event.
``It's an incredibly special day and a very dynamic and very welcoming community,'' the Sydney-sider said.
Sean Hennessy took the F. H Stephens trophy for his efforts in the National Penny Farthing Championship race.
The Adelaide representative powered through the finish line despite not having ridden a penny farthing since his win at the championships in 2007.
``I do love coming here, it's a friendly atmosphere and an enjoyable weekend spending time with people with similar interests,'' Mr Hennessy said.