Graeme Obree | Evolving Consumer

Speed Beast

Graeme Obree – a.k.a. the Flying Scotsman – made famous for his efforts to set the one hour record on the track with a homemade bicycle that included parts from a washing machine, is now reportedly looking to break the human-powered land speed record. More than that this innovative cyclist hopes to break the 100 mph barrier at the same time, and he looks to do so with the Beastie.

This bicycle will put Obree in the prone position inside a Kevlar and fiberglass shell, which features a rounded front section. Obree will reportedly head to Nevada’s Battle Mountain to look to make his record attempting ride in September.

[Via Human Invent: Graeme Obree unveils the finished Beastie]

Weekend Reading List (9.8.2012): Repay Day, Google Maps It, Reasons to Run, Scotsman to Fly AGAIN!

Should Lance Face “Repay” Day?

From Fortune: Sports stars should be subject to clawbacks
Much has been made of Lance Armstrong’s loss of future earnings. But his past earnings should be at stake too. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (9.8.2012): Repay Day, Google Maps It, Reasons to Run, Scotsman to Fly AGAIN!

Weekend Reading List (3.24.12): Worries of the Weak Knee, High-Alpine Freestyle, Grame Obree on Speed Record

Free Flight

From GearJunkie: High-Apline Freestyle: Red Bull Cold Rush

As big-mountain ski comps are concerned, the Red Bull Cold Rush is unique. The annual three-day event, held earlier this month at Colorado’s Silverton Mountain, mixes steep faces and high bowls with avalanche potential together with rails, ramps, and other features found in a freestyle park. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (3.24.12): Worries of the Weak Knee, High-Alpine Freestyle, Grame Obree on Speed Record

When a Governing Body Stifles Technology

Recently I was sent James Thomas’s article from Bicycledesign titled, “Is TJ Tollakson the Graeme Obree of triathlon?,” regarding the use of a carbon fiber 1996 Zipp beam frame triathlon bike by T.J. Tollakson in numerous triathlon wins including Ironmans. Tollakson has been experimenting with different riding positions and use of materials, some non-cycling, to come up with his winning combination. The beam design that he chose has not been utilized for some time now due to its design not falling with the International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations, but this style of frame is still legal by the regulations of USA Triathlon.

As Thomas notes the UCI wasn’t nearly so kind to Graeme Obree, also known as “The Flying Scotsman,” when he created his bike “Old Faithful” using parts from a washing machine. As Tollakson used soccer shin pads to aid the unique design, we’re left wondering if the UCI would approve. But this is just part of the issue.

I remember when the double triangle rule was implemented by the UCI and thinking that it was the end for real innovation with road bike frame designs. Continue reading When a Governing Body Stifles Technology

No Flying Scotsman Tricks for the Track

Track bike racing could turn into an off-the-shelf sport soon, as the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced plans to force teams to use equipment that is commercially available. UCI chief Pat McQuaid noted that Britain, Germany and Australia – three track bike powerhouses – have been warned this past weekend that the use of illegal technological advances will not be tolerated, and that he had concerns about the way some teams continued to flout rules while using expensive equipment that is (in his words) “not commercially available.”

This is reminiscent of when Graeme Obree – a.k.a. “The Flying Scotsman – built a homemade bike and broke the one hour distance record on the track. In Obree’s case the bike wasn’t so high-tech as it was just ingenious, utilizing parts of a washing machine for the bottom bracket, but the fallout was a crackdown on equipment that wasn’t standard. McQuaid has not defined what is actually meant by “freely available” nor “reasonable price” when discussing the new rules, so there will no doubt be questions raised.

But as some teams were riding on bicycle prototypes that cost between 50,000 and 100,000 Euros each, we have to agree that while technology should help athletes, the playing field needs to be level. In this case, even if the track the competition takes place on is banked!