National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race 2025
📍 Frederick, Maryland
A century-old tradition on two wheels
Each summer, Frederick, Maryland transforms into a time capsule for the National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race, the only race of its kind in the United States. Riders mount antique and replica high-wheel bicycles, racing through the heart of the city in a blur of motion and history.
Hosted in partnership with the Frederick Department of Economic Development and Visit Frederick, the event draws cyclists and spectators from around the country. It is part sporting event, part living museum, and completely unlike anything else on the summer calendar.
The rhythm of the race
Photographing the High Wheel Race is like trying to capture a moving piece of history. The riders balance at impossible heights, gliding past old brick facades as cheers echo through downtown. Every turn of the wheel feels like a story, a blend of athleticism, nostalgia, and pure showmanship.
As the crowd pressed against barricades and church bells rang in the distance, I found myself chasing small details between laps: the flicker of a smile, the grit of a climb, the applause as each racer crossed the finish. It is those fleeting human moments that remind me why I love photographing events like this.
Reflection
The High Wheel Race captures something rare, a celebration of history that still feels alive. It is a day when tradition, craftsmanship, and community all share the same street. For me, it is a reminder that storytelling through images is not always about what is new, but about what continues to move us forward.
If you are planning an event that combines heritage, energy, and connection, I would love to help tell that story.
