Tuesday 3 July 2007

In the spirit of Graeme Obree...


I've just been reading about Graeme Obree. We actually share the same birthday.... September 11th, although I am 6 years older than he. He is famous for breaking the one hour record on a virtually home made bike. He also developed his own unique riding position and famously used the bearings from his washing machine when he realised that the spin cycle occurred at 1200 revs per minute.
He was an amateur cyclist who decided that he was going to break the record. Note... he didn't think he would try and break the record, or have a go at it. No; he would break it , full stop. In his delightfully simplistic manner, he decided he would train harder than anyone else, endure more pain, put in more hours on the track etc. He also took a totally original sideways look at bike design and came up with an idiosyncratic machine which he called Old Faithfull. It was later banned by the controlling bicycle authorities in an amazing sour-grapes ruling..
Ultimately, he hired a track for the record attempt, but failed in his attempt by about an inch. No matter. He had paid his money for 24 hours worth, so he came back 23 hours later and had another go. He did it on the second attempt.

Anyway, the point is I think, the power of his mind, the sheer determination to succeed. Inspirational. There is no doubt that the Cols which await me in The Pyrenees are going to be very tough, but I am trying to drum up Obree-style levels of self-belief in order to get me up and over. The mind contributes 50% of my strength.

Today, on his 40th birthday, fellow blogger Mark had a crack at riding up L'Alpe d'Huez in less than 60 minutes. He set that abitary one hour target as a benchmark. He has been documenting his training on his blog for weeks and I have gained a lot of advice, knowledge and a sense of comradeship from him. He has just missed out by a small Obreesque margin. www.markliversedge.blogspot.com Wouldn't it be amazing if he had another go tomorrow morning and did it on his second attempt? It's a big ask though, especially because he's probably drunk a few scoops of beer/wine/champagne. He's doing the Etape as well, so I guess I'll be following him around on the 16th.

I'm very relieved to report that I have had a good ride today.
At 7-30 this morning I got the nippers on the school bus during torrential rain. The missus is in her sick bed. Because I'm on leave I was then able to luxuriate on the settee with my feet up, reading the paper from cover to cover, and enjoy a nice pot of Rosy. By 10-ish, the skies cleared, and soon we had a nice sunny but windy day. Despite a very strong temptation to go kiting, I got out on the bike and did a full-on 50 mile session. I deliberately did all the horrible Island hills... 3 times up Strawberry from the Brighstone side, Cowlease twice, and virtually did 3 circuits of the Ventnor hills. I felt strong... what a relief. After my recent lethargy, I needed the affirmation of my fitness for my mental well-being. I also got my second-ever puncture, so I had a chance to practice my changing-the-inner-tube skills. A McClaren pit-stop it was not. It was actually pathetic, so I'm going to be honing my skills in a few dry runs tomorrow.

After my ride, I had poached salmon, salad and yoghurt. What a healthy devil I am.

6 comments:

Mark Liversedge said...

No chance! Obree I am not. I think I'll be following you around on the day... unless you get a p******e!!!!!!!!!

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