However, it is a novelty to see four penny-farthing bicycles jostling with crowds at the Dunedin Railway Station.
The four vintage cycles, along with seven other pre-World War 2 bikes were at the station yesterday before an eight-day ride "from Dunedin to Dunedin", tour organiser Robin Willan said.
Members of the Christchurch Antique Cycle Group and cyclists from the United States, Australia and the UK took the train to Pukerangi, before heading to Middlemarch, Ranfurly, Omakau, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Lawrence, Waihola and back to Dunedin.
The group last did the ride about eight years ago, on one of its annual trips, which have now covered the majority of the South Island, Mr Willan said.
While comfort on a penny-farthing was "reasonable", "we have a lot of fun".
Seeing the bikes in action was a special treat for cruise ship passengers who knew a good photo opportunity when they saw one.
One was heard to say, "I did not expect to see that',' while another exclaimed, "Now that's what I call a bike."
As well as riding penny-farthings, Mr Willan has also made 25 of them, so far, which are scattered throughout New Zealand, Australia, America, the UK, and Japan.
