Graeme Obree was a Scots cyclist who became World Champion in 1993. He won the Hour record held for nine years by Francesco Moser , with a distance of 51.6 kilometres. He re-took the record in 1994 from his long term cycling rival Chris Boardman, the English cycling champion. He also went on to become track pursuit World Champion in 1993 and 1995.

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 victory in the Hour record 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 the commitment and stamina of a World champion. For example, when his first attempt at the Hour record was unsuccessful, he wanted to try again immediately. This was after the most demanding cycle imaginable, which can require weeks of recovery. He was allowed to try the next day, and was successful.

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 Champion 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 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