Graeme Obree: The amateur cyclist who broke records with a bicycle made of washing machine

Can an amateur cyclist beat the record of the time and win two gold medals in the persecution cycling World Cups with a bicycle made from pieces of a washing machine?

Surprising as it may seem, that was what he achieved in the 1990s Graeme Obree, nicknamed 'The Flying Scottish'. This is its story.

Graeme Obree: The beginnings of the 'Flying Scottish'

Douglas Graeme Obree was an amateur cyclist who lived in Scotland, where he ran a bicycle shop from which he was dedicated to manufacturing paintings in a totally personalized way. His obsession was to design the most efficient picture in aerodynamic terms. Naturally, he did not have in his favor tunnels of the wind, no computer simulations, nor did he perform complex equations to calculate the resistance of the air. He was based on his own experience and the trial and error tests he performed with the bicycle in counter -trial tests and amateur races.

By the way, in the first carrera In which he participated he did it equipped with an anorak and the boots he used in his day to day. In addition, he was wrong to think that the starting line and the finish line were the same. When he barely had 100 meters left to finish the test, he got out of the bicycle thinking that he had already finished. While it was already changing to shower, the commissioners of the carrera They ran to tell him that the finish line was a few meters later. OBREE had to get on the bicycle again to finish the test.

Photo Credits: Cycling-pionion.com

THE GREAT IDEA: Beat the record of the hour

In 1993, given the bad economic results of his store, he decided that his next challenge would be to try to beat the Hour record. An amateur cyclist, without known international records, wanting to establish a new world record. At that time, the record of the time had been in the hands of the Italian Francesco Moser, who in 1984 had exceeded the previous registry, whose owner was nothing less than Eddy Merckx. Moser also had a sensational record:

• 3 podiums in the World Cycling World Cup, including the rainbow jersey in 1977.
• 1 gold medal and another silver in the cycling World Cups on the track, in individual persecution.
• 1 Tour of Italy (1984).
• 3 Paris-Roubaix.
• 2 Lombardy turns.
• 1 Milan-San Remo (1984).
• 1 Vallea arrow.
• 4 times winner of regularity in the Giro of Italy.

Graeme Obree, however, was a stranger not only among professionals and members of the ICU, but also among fans. Even so, I was determined to beat a new record of the hour.

Old Faithful: The bicycle with washing machine pieces

To prepare his assault on the record, OBREE began to design a new bicycle box. Despite not having a team of engineers or a manufacturer to sponsored him, he began to make changes in the painting from his sensations in training. One day, observing the centrifugation of the washing machine, it occurred to him that the appliance's bearings could improve the performance of his bicycle. Thus the famous was born Old Faithful.

Photo Credits: Clarin.com

In addition, Obree introduced innovations such as a short handlebar and fixing the sneakers to the pedals. He narrowed the pedalier to bring the connecting rods to the painting and reduce aerodynamic resistance. Your position, known as "The Tuck", it was inspired by the skiers, who bend their elbows and hood to minimize friction with the air. Thanks to this position, Obree managed to reduce resistance by 15%.

The aerodynamics that Obree optimized on his bicycle is a key factor both in the road bicycles as in the bicycles of Triathlon, where every second counts in counterreloj competitions and long distances.

Record to the second attempt

On July 16, 1993, Graeme Obree threw himself for the time record at Vikingskipet velodrome, in Hamar, Norway, but stayed less than 1 kilometer to get it. Despite failing, having rented the velodrome for 24 hours, he decided to try again the next day. At 8:00 am, with hardly any slept, Obree managed to beat the record, establishing a record of 51,596 kilometers. He exceeded the previous Moser brand, 51,151 kilometers.

The duel with Chris Boardman

Despite the deed of Obree, his joy lasted little. On July 23, 1993, his compatriot Chris Boardman snatched his record for 674 meters in the Burgundy velodrome. Boardman, Olympic champion in persecution, had a high -tech bicycle, backed by sponsors. However, Obree did not give up. That same year, in the World Cycling World Cup, he defeated Boardman in individual persecution, proclaiming himself World Champion.

New record of time and controversy with the ICU

In April 1994, Graeme Obree tried again to beat the record of the hour, this time in Bordeaux. He succeeded, establishing a new record of 52,713 kilometers, which would be beaten months later by Miguel Induráin. The innovative position of Obree began to attract the attention of other cyclists. Francesco Moser tried to beat the time record in 1994 using the same position, although without success. Given these innovations, the UCI decided to prohibit the Old Faithful and extreme aerodynamic postures such as "The Tuck".

Photo Credits: Geograph.org.uk

The second World Cup with the 'Superman' position

Far from surrendering, Obree continued to innovate. In the 1995 World Cup, he adopted the position known as "Superman", with your arms completely stretched. This new position allowed him to win his second world championship in individual persecution. However, the ICU prohibited posture again, claiming security reasons. After that, Obree did not compete again in any World Cup, although he conquered some national titles, including the British Counter Real Championship in 1997.

The ICU pardon

The story of Graeme Obree is one of the most fascinating in the history of cycling. An amateur cyclist who, with a bicycle manufactured by himself, beat the record of the time and was proclaimed twice world champion. Your bicycle Old Faithful It is exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland, and in 2014, the UCI He restored his international titles. Obree's life was taken to the cinema in the movie "The Flying Scottish" in 2006.

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