Categories
News

Graeme Obree Stars at Norfolk Cycle Show

Norfolk Cycle ShowThe Norfolk Cycle Show is back for its second year on Sunday April 6 with another fantastic line-up of events and a charity cycle ride for good measure. The Flying Scotsman, Graeme Obree, who twice broke the world hour record (in July 1993 and April 1994) and was crowned Individual Pursuit World Champion in 1993 and 1995 heads up the special guests with a Q&A and photo opportunities. The show also brings together other special guests including former Team Sky Director Sportif Sean Yates, National Time Trial record holder and Cycling Weekly writer Michael Hutchinson, who is the most prolific male time trial racer of all time winning 56 national titles, and who holds records at 10, 25, 50 and 100 miles and has been Brompton World Record holder for the last 3 years. Cycling author Rick Robson will also be on hand to talk about his latest bike adventure with Obree.

 

With no admission charge the event, which takes place at The Forum in Norwich, is designed to attract cyclists from complete beginners to serious enthusiasts and celebrate everything on two wheels. A special Family Charity Ride will take place on the day around Chapelfield Gardens. At just £2 each entry, riders will be able to choose their mode of transport from quirky four-man carts to tandems and MTBs.

 

Full details at revolutionevents.co and you can keep up to date with everything on Twitter @revoluvents

 

 

Categories
Featured Features Reviews

Cyclo: Best Books

The popularity of cycling in Great Britain is at an all-time high and if you’re looking for some supporting evidence for that, then the heaving bookshop shelves tell the tale more than adequately. If you’re also looking for a stocking-filler for your cycling-loving loved one or just need a good read to distract you from that winter ride that you’d rather put off, then Cyclo brings you our rundown of the very best cycling books. We’ve mixed and matched some brand-new titles with some perennial favourites and oft overlooked hidden treasures. Enjoy…

 

My Time – Bradley Wiggins Book Review Top Cycling BooksMy Time – Bradley Wiggins

 

It has, of course been the year of Wiggo, so no better place to start than with the great man’s autobiography, My Time. Proving he can deliver more than 140-character tweets (although largely ‘ghosted’ by cycling journalist William Fotheringham), Wiggins’ renowned dry wit, level-headedness and downright frankness shines through here and whilst his previous book In Pursuit of Glory felt slightly thin on the ground – in part perhaps because it came pre-national treasure status – My Time packs the full punch. Published by Yellow Jersey, ISBN-10: 022409212X, RRP £20.00, Amazon £9.00

 

Bradley Wiggins: Tour de Force by John Deering - Team Sky Book Review Top Cycling BooksBradley Wiggins: Tour de Force – John Deering 

 

Naturally no shortage of other books available on Wiggo too as the clammer and crush for a little vicarious success infects all-known journalists. But best amongst them is, in Cyclo’s opinion, Tour de Force by John Deering who, as a regular contributor to Eurosport’s cycling coverage, Procycling and The Official Tour de France Guide, certainly knows his (French) onions. Intertwining biographical detail with a pretty much day-by-day account of the 2012 Tour, Deering’s book works brilliantly for those wanting to learn more about the intricacies of team tactics in general and Team Sky in particular. Read the full Cyclo review herePublished by Birlinn Ltd, ISBN-10: 1780271034, RRP £12.99, Amazon £9.09

 

The Flying Scotsman – Graeme Obree Book Review Best Cycling BooksThe Flying Scotsman – Graeme Obree

 

First published back in 2004, Graeme Obree’s autobiography has lost none of its considerable clout with the kind of candidness that often leaves you open-mouthed. Like all great sports biographies/autobiographies the lesson learned is that from terrible beginnings (and, on occasions, presences) great things can still be achieved. Sir Chris Hoy calls Obree ‘a true inspiration’ (and provides the book’s foreword) and it’s almost impossible to disagree. This is a book that deserves to be better known and wider read – we can’t recommend it highly enough. Published by Birlinn Ltd, ISBN-10: 1841583359, RRP £8.99, Amazon £7.99

  

French Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France – Tim Moore Book Review Top Cycling BooksFrench Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France – Tim Moore

 

Very much on the lighter side of things Moore takes the everyman approach to tackling the toughest ride in the world. As a self-confessed slouch Moore takes to the roads and, indeed, the mountains to test himself against everything that’s thrown at him – his trademark humour and observational wit carries the book and, whilst you may not learn anything particularly new – it at least proves that, once in a while, the hackneyed phrase ‘laugh-out-loud book’ can be more than appropriate. Published by Vintage, ISBN-10: 0099433826, RRP £8.99, Amazon £6.75

 


Between the Lines – Victoria Pendleton and Donald McRae Book Review Best Cycling BooksBetween the Lines – Victoria Pendleton and Donald McRae

 

Having just retired from what has often, rightly, been called a glittering career it’s no surprise to find Victoria Pendleton autobiography on the shelves. In fact much of the donkey-work writing duty has fallen to McRae, but as the double-winner of the William Hill award (for Dark Trade and In Black & White) that’s perhaps no bad thing and Pendleton’s story is both engaging and, at times, enlightening. There is turmoil here to be sure, along with a good dash of raw emotion, but the real target audience is those who have followed her career and admire her brilliance rather than those out for revelations or true insight. Published by HarperSport, ISBN-10: 0007327528, RRP £20.00, Amazon £9.99

 

It’s Not About the Bike – Lance Armstrong Book Review Best Cycling BooksIt’s Not About the Bike – Lance Armstrong

 

Really? Hell Yes! Okay so we now know that rather than being the greatest ever Tour de France champion Armstrong was, in fact, the greatest ever Tour de France cheat, but revisiting the book with that in mind brings an excellent new dimension, not to mention sense of irony with regards to the title. Whatever Armstrong did wrong (and it would appear to be legion), there is no taking away from him the fight he undertook against the cancer that ravaged his body. In light of recent revelations this book may no longer be held in such high regard, but if you haven’t read it already now would seem a good time… Published by Yellow Jersey, ISBN-10: 0224060872, RRP £8.99, Amazon £6.29

 

Racing Through the Dark – David Millar Book Review Best Cycling BooksRacing Through the Dark – David Millar

 

And on the subject of doping… Millar pretty much begins his tale of rise and fall and rise  again with the lines: ‘My name is David Millar. I am a professional cyclist, an Olympic athlete, a Tour de France star, a world champion – and a drugs cheat.’ A powerful start and so in continues, with one of the most painful (and painfully honest) accounts of the pressures of professional cycling ever put to paper. Don’t dismiss this book as an exercise in self-flagellation; no doubt it was part of Millar’s redemptive process, but his honesty to improve and fight the good fight burns on every page. Read the full Cyclo review herePublished by Orion, ISBN-10: 1409120384, RRP £8.99, Amazon £6.29

 

Road to Valour – Aili and Andres McConnon Book Review Best Cycling BooksRoad to Valour – Aili and Andres McConnon

 

Or to give it its staggeringly long full title ‘Road to Valour: Gino Bartali: Tour de France Legend and Italy’s Secret World War Two Hero’. The McConnons may be guilty of overly breathy narrative prose, but Bartali’s story of rise from rural poverty to multiple wins at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France pretty much warrants it, especially when considering his sideline as WWII Italian Resistance hero. This is real ‘boy’s own’ stuff, likely to appeal as much to non-cyclists and cyclists. A thriller wrapped up in a sports biography… Read the full Cyclo review herePublished by W&N, ISBN-10: 0297859994, RRP £20.00, Amazon £13.50

 

Categories
News

Speed Demon

Graeme Obree, famed for his homemade bikes and unconventional riding position and who twice broke the world hour record (1993 and 95) has announced his intention to break the human-powered vehicle land-speed record. Although born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Obree has lived most of his life north of the border and so, inevitably became known as ‘The Flying Scotsman’ – he has twice been crowned individual pursuit world champion but now intends to smash the speed record, taking things from the current (and already impressive) 83mph to a spine-tingling 100mph-plus.

 

Speaking to BBC Scotland he said, ‘If everything was perfect, with the power output and aerodynamic drag then 100mph might be possible.’ The record attempt, which would be run under similar conditions to car speed records (flat run, no wind or other vehicular assistance) is likely to take place at Battle Mountain, Colorado.

 

In 2006 Obree was portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller in the film ‘The Flying Scotsman’, directed by Douglas Mackinnon which delved into both the triumphs and well publicised lows (including depression) that have visited the rider. If all goes well with the record, a sequel could well be on the cards…

 

For more information about the extraordinary Obree, visit www.obree.com