Graeme Obree: Difference between revisions

Graeme Obree was a Scottish racing cyclist who, in July 1993, broke the world Hour record, previously held for nine years by Francesco Moser, with a distance of 51.596 kilometres. The record lasted less than a week, being broken by his long term cycling rival Englishman Chris Boardman, but Obree re-took the record in April 1994. He was also Individual pursuit World Champion in 1993 and 1995.

Domestically, he also broke the British 10-mile individual time trial record in 1993, won the British 50-mile championship the same year (setting a new competition record of 1:39:01 in the process), and won the British 25-mile championship in 1996.

Innovative riding position and bike layout

Obree's achievements were seen as remarkable since his riding had been largely amateur till then, and he did not have large scale sponsorship and development support, unlike other professional cyclists of the day. Instead, he developed a unique riding position (the 'crouch', or 'tuck' position) and constructed a unique bike frame to use.

His aim was to reduce wind resistance and instability, while increasing pedalling power. He reduced air resistance from the legs by designing a very narrow bottom bracket and dispensing with a top tube. He placed the handlebars so that his shoulders were almost touching them, with his arms folded by his side as he cycled: this reduced air resistance on his head and torso. The seat was placed so that his legs exerted maximum force on the pedals. The front fork had only one blade. He called his bike the 'Old Faithful', and used it for all of his championship races.

Personal achievements

His Hour record, achieved on 17 July 1993 at the Hamar velodrome in Norway, was celebrated as a triumph for the ordinary rider, for the outsider over the establishment. His was said to be a triumph of art over science in cycling, and opened up new areas for development in coming years.

In addition to the mechanical and aerodynamic advantages, he had tremendous commitment and stamina. For example, when his first attempt at the Hour record was unsuccessful, he wanted to try again immediately. Normally, weeks of recovery are needed after such a demanding effort, but he was allowed to try the next day, and was successful.

After Boardman had broken Obree's Hour record, Obree travelled to the Velodrome du Lac in Bordeaux, France and on 27 April 1994, exceeded Boardman's distance, riding 52.713km. This world record lasted until the following September when it was broken by Miguel Indurain.

Setbacks

His brother died suddenly in 1994, and Graeme slid in and out of depression over the coming years. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI, the world governing body for cycling), after his second Hour World record in 1994, changed the rules for bike layout. His bike and riding position were effectively banned: he did not find out about this unwritten rule change until one hour before he began the World Championship pursuit race in Italy.

Nevertheless, Obree went on to develop another new riding position, the 'superman' style, where his arms were fully extended in front as he rode, and he went on to win the World pursuit championship with this and his 'Old Faithful' in 1995. However, this riding position was also later banned by the UCI, on grounds that human effort and skill are more significant than technological advance.

Illness prevented Obree making much further progress in his sport. After several breakdowns he started a business manufacturing handlebars suitable for the 'superman' riding position. This collapsed when the UCI banned the position. He published his autobiography in 2003. He lives quietly with his wife and two children near Irvine, in Scotland.

Reference

Flying Scotsman Graeme Obree Birlinn Books 2003 ISBN 1841583359