Graham Obree Story - 'Battle Mountain

NervexProf

on iPlayer now:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... rees-story

rick_chasey

Thanks!

ocdupalais

I generally don't have "heroes (or heroines)" as such, but he ranks as the nearest to it, in cycling terms.

I don't feel quite the same about them, but I think Beryl Burton and Chris Froome are/were cut from a similar cloth in terms of "otherliness": physical and mental. In every sense - extremely physical/extremely mental.

buckmulligan

I watched this on the turbo trainer this morning, very interesting.

keef66

Ooh, that's perfect. I can watch that on Sat evening while wifey's up in London watching something musical! Saturday evening TV is pretty crap till Tom Hardy starts eviscerating people at 9PM.

inseine

OCDuPalais wrote:

I generally don't have "heroes (or heroines)" as such, but he ranks as the nearest to it, in cycling terms.

I don't feel quite the same about them, but I think Beryl Burton and Chris Froome are/were cut from a similar cloth in terms of "otherliness": physical and mental. In every sense - extremely physical/extremely mental.

Was captivated by his battles with Boardman and these two are still probably my favorite riders/people.

buckmulligan

There was a fantastic quote from Boardman at the start of the show, something to the effect of "To get beaten by a man who built his own bike from bits from his washing machine, who would get up in the morning have a marmalade sandwich and say 'Right let's go and do the Hour Record'; it was really quite irritating".

bobmcstuff

Watched this a while back on Amzaon while I was on the turbo, it was quite good I thought.

Also saw him give a Q&A at SPin in Manchester last year, which was interesting. A strange bloke, but in a good way (?).

top_bhoy

OCDuPalais wrote:

I generally don't have "heroes (or heroines)" as such, but he ranks as the nearest to it, in cycling terms.

I don't feel quite the same about them, but I think Beryl Burton and Chris Froome are/were cut from a similar cloth in terms of "otherliness": physical and mental. In every sense - extremely physical/extremely mental.

I think there is a great deal of empathy for Graeme Obree and respect for what he achieved against the odds. One other rider cut from the same cloth as Graeme Obree was Robert Millar. I grew up when they were in their prime and I loved it that they were local boys who overcame adversity to reach the top of their game.

Not sure where Grame Obree lives now but whenever I get back to visit my mother, I keep expecting to bump into him riding this.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-24088647

Garry H

Watching this just now. Fantastic stuff! You have to respect someone who's permanently attached a vise to his kitchen table. Complete bam, but I mean that in the nicest way.

keef66

After several false starts finally got to watch this yesterday. You have to admire his total commitment. Getting his sons to squash him against a wall with a sideboard to see how narrow he could make himself, taking an angle grinder to a saucepan to manufacture something (I forget what), and the breathing apparatus fashioned from a snorkel and an overflow pipe from a bath. Absolutely batshit!

I should make my wife watch it; she might be more charitable next time I bring something indoors for fettling in the depths of winter...

Alex99

keef66 wrote:

After several false starts finally got to watch this yesterday. You have to admire his total commitment. Getting his sons to squash him against a wall with a sideboard to see how narrow he could make himself, taking an angle grinder to a saucepan to manufacture something (I forget what), and the breathing apparatus fashioned from a snorkel and an overflow pipe from a bath. Absolutely batshit!

I should make my wife watch it; she might be more charitable next time I bring something indoors for fettling in the depths of winter...

Angle grinder + saucepan was for shoulder rests in "the beastie".

Alex99

OCDuPalais wrote:

I generally don't have "heroes (or heroines)" as such, but he ranks as the nearest to it, in cycling terms.

I don't feel quite the same about them, but I think Beryl Burton and Chris Froome are/were cut from a similar cloth in terms of "otherliness": physical and mental. In every sense - extremely physical/extremely mental.

It's true, there aren't many around that I look to in this way, but Graeme is definitely one. He's got everything. Genius, athletic prowess, underdog against the odds achievement and the highest level, and quite essentially, flaws.

Alex99

BuckMulligan wrote:

There was a fantastic quote from Boardman at the start of the show, something to the effect of "To get beaten by a man who built his own bike from bits from his washing machine, who would get up in the morning have a marmalade sandwich and say 'Right let's go and do the Hour Record'; it was really quite irritating".

That's why that period was so memorable and intriguing. They were so different and Boardman couldn't seem to fathom him at all. When you look at it, Boardman wins on points... but he didn't know what was going to happen when Obree was in the field on a given day.

Garry H

Alex99 wrote:

keef66 wrote:

After several false starts finally got to watch this yesterday. You have to admire his total commitment. Getting his sons to squash him against a wall with a sideboard to see how narrow he could make himself, taking an angle grinder to a saucepan to manufacture something (I forget what), and the breathing apparatus fashioned from a snorkel and an overflow pipe from a bath. Absolutely batshit!

I should make my wife watch it; she might be more charitable next time I bring something indoors for fettling in the depths of winter...

Angle grinder + saucepan was for shoulder rests in "the beastie".

I thought he was making a special pan for frying sausages.

carbonclem

Great programme, a sort of grass roots Guy Martin if you will.

I like the acknowledgement that 'regular' people aren't arsed if they dont always win. They have other things that bring contentment, its those missing that peace that feel the need. It flips on its head the sense of failiure people like me can get from watching guys like this!

Anyway, top chap!

keef66

Garry H wrote:

Alex99 wrote:

keef66 wrote:

.. taking an angle grinder to a saucepan to manufacture something (I forget what)

Angle grinder + saucepan was for shoulder rests in "the beastie".

I thought he was making a special pan for frying sausages.

No, you were right, arm rests. He did quip afterwards that as a result he'd also invented the side-access frying pan.

I'm trying to imagine my wife's face if I started attacking the saucepans with an angle grinder. Or indeed taking the bearing out of the washing machine. :shock: Not a problem for Graeme obv.

apreading

Watched it last night - quite good but I needed to put the subtitles on to cope with his accent in places!

He is clearly still a very troubled man but has found an equilibrium which copes with that - albeit with continued use of medication. Amazing and inspirational still but sounds like this could be the sunset on his adventures as his years catch up with him.

That thing was seriously unstable though - I think to do any better would need proper CFD or windtunnel design etc and go beyond what somebody could knock up in their shed or kitchen.