Obree set to trial world record attempt

Nov 9 2012 by Ross Dunn, Irvine Herald

The Flying Scotsman, Graeme Obree is set to trial his world record attempt at a secret airfield in Scotland.

The 47-year-old cyclist will attempt to break the world land speed record next September in the USA but will trial the attempt in Scotland before heading to Nevada.

To aid him in his attempt, Obree enlisted the help of Glasgow School of Art.

“The mould for the first skin I had made ended up cracking.”

“The Glasgow School of Art have been brilliant with helping me with the second mould.

“They’ve been working on it since July and I’m really pleased with it.”

Obree’s new bike, Beastie - a name coined by Chris Hoy - encompasses all of the same charm Old Faithful had - Beastie being built at home in Salcoats.

“I’ve built this one in my kitchen again and I’m really pleased with the design - it’s exactly the way I want it.”

“Chris had text me saying that he couldn’t wait to see the Beastie - meaning the bike - and I just thought that was a brilliant name.”

Obree was meant to trial the bike in Nevada last month, but was cancelled due to problems with the bike.

“It’s very frustrating but we’re waiting for a weather window to have a trial run.

“It could happen at any time, it could be tomorrow -as long as the weather is right.”

The cold weather won’t effect Obree’s trials, the only determining factor being the wind.

“The stretch in Nevada is four miles long and 5000 feet in the air - it’ll be pretty perfect.”