Graeme Obree is one of the most colourful and intriguing characters in cycling. I was pleased to hear he has in mind another attempt at the world hour record.
Although Graeme is 43, he doesn’t feel this is a reason not to make the attempt.
“I don’t think that you’re physically hampered from winning at the highest level just because of age. To diminish yourself just in terms of age isn’t justified. I don’t think you can use it as an excuse, not if you’ve kept it going.” (Bike Radar)
I think it’s a great attitude.
Graeme has also been building his own bike for the record. The UCI created bizarre regulations for the most prestigious cycling record taking technology back to the 1970s. Graeme has been using Reynolds 653 tubing and making it deliberately long to make the position more aerodynamic. The bike uses a characteristically huge gear 138 inches (67 x 13)
Graeme has broken the world hour record twice: 51.596km in 1993 and 52.713km in 1994. His story has been shared in his autobiography and movie – The Flying Scotsman
The current record, using ‘modern’ UCI rules, is 49.7km, held by Czech Ondrej Sosenka. Chris Boardman set over 56Km before the UCI changed rules.
I would love it if Obree manages to set a new record and pokes the uci in the eye in the process.
Not sure if it’s true or not but I heard that the uci once had one of Obrees marmalade sandwiches tested for performance enhancing drugs in a desperate attempt to find a reason to stop the little known Obree from taking the uci’s biggest prize, the hour record.
Obree had the last laugh, taking the record on his home made bike, fantastic! GO OBREE, LEGEND!