Graeme Obree’s “Beastie” goes under the hammer at Great Western Auctions
Sale Details: Friday 22 September at Great Western Auctions, 1291 Dumbarton Road, Whiteinch Glasgow, G14 9UY, 10.00am
Two-time World Hour Record holder and two-time Men’s Individual Pursuit World Champion Graeme Obree will offer for sale by auction over thirty lots from his cycling collection including fifteen gold or silver medals, various awards and unique bikes on 22nd September at Great Western Auction. Included in the collection will be the “Beastie” bike (estimate £10,000-15,000). Christened the “Beastie” by Sir Chris Hoy, the bike was built in his kitchen using mostly recycled materials to challenge the world land speed record at Battle Mountain in Nevada 2013. The Beastie was designed with one purpose in mind - to go fast, terrifyingly fast, with the rider lying prone, head first- face forward! Where the other riders competing at Battle Mountain are wired into world leading computer technology, Obree faces the challenge down single minded with total belief in the powers of his mind and body.
Other lots include a hand-built bike frame (estimate £2,000-3,000); World Hour Record medal 1994 (estimate £1,000-1,500); two World Championship Men’s Individual Pursuit gold medals, 1993 and 1995 (estimates £2,000-3,000 each)
Graeme will be available for a photo opportunity or brief interview to discuss the collection from 10.00am-12.00pm at Great Western Auction 1291 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G14 9UY
For further information and images please contact David at Great Western Auctions on 0141 954 1500 or David.Convery@greatwesternauctions.com
Viewing times
Venue: Great Western Auctions, 1291 Dumbarton Road, Whiteinch Glasgow, G14 9UY, 10.00am
Thursday 21 September 10.00am-6.00pm
Born in 1965, Graeme Obree's career has been an inspiration for cyclists across the world from cycle tourists to elite cyclists such as Sir Chris Hoy. The two-time world hour record holder, who was named BBC Sportscene personality of the year in 1993, developed a keen interest in cycling as a youngster and regularly won senior races as a junior. Inspired by the hour record set by Francesco Moser in 1984, Obree went on to break the record using his own 'crouch' position, which was banned twice, riding 'Old Faithful' the bike he hand built using parts from a washing machine.
When Chris Boardman used heart rates and power cranks to train for the hour attempts, Graeme Obree took to the hills of Scotland, old school. Obree - famed for his innovative techniques, re-invented the rulebooks so many times that the UCI locked him and his designs down. He is in the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame as well as the British Cycling Hall of Fame, recognising the massive contribution he has made to the sport.
Additionally, he has published two books, his autobiography, The Flying Scotsman - now a movie of the same name, and his acclaimed training manual, The Obree Way.
A unique talent, an individual who achieved extraordinary things grabbing the UCI World Hour Record twice, the 4000m world pursuit crown twice, a string of national records at 10,25 and 50 miles. His radical Superman cycling position was ridden to 8 gold medals at The Atlanta Olympics before it too was outlawed by the UCI. More recently Obree set a new mark when he claimed the IHPVA Prone Recumbent World Speed Record aboard the latest self-designed and build bike, The Beastie, chronicled in the documentary film, Battle Mountain- Graeme Obree's Story
But many know Obree as the man who designed and built the Washing Machine bike- recently voted the most famous bike in the world, Old Faithful. Graeme Obree is a legend in the world of Cycling and beyond. An innovator who uses the power of his mind and imagination combined with his extraordinary athleticism to reach a level few human beings can aspire to.
He has shunned commercial gain in favour of following a value system based upon self-determination, education and principled choice.
Obree battled with mental health problems for much of his adult life, but his resilience, courage and self-belief have contributed to his ability to maintain a busy life balancing duties as a writer, cyclist and speaker. He does not drive and is an advocate for cycling as a means of leisure, pleasure, wellbeing and as a means of transportation.
David Convery
Saleroom Manager/Snr Auctioneer
Great Western Auctions
0141 954 1500
david.convery@greatwesternauctions.com
(ag, 20.09.2017) |
