The Obree Way – Review

This weekend, cycling legend, Graeme Obree publishes his long awaited training manual, “The Obree Way -a training manual for cyclists”.

17 years in the making, The Obree Way continues a tradition typical of Obree with his own unique insight into the training  techniques that took him from club cyclist to multiple World Champion.

Graeme Obree is one of this nation’s greatest cyclists.  The underdog who built his own bike, trained without technology and went on to break perhaps the most prestigious record in cycling - the hour record - not once, but twice.  Cycling legend - Eddy Merckx - reckoned that the hour record "took years off of his life."

This book is long awaited and provides a raw analysis of training from a master  of his craft. Through Daily Cycle I’ve had the chance to read an advance copy - here’s my review.

A One-Off

Graeme Obree was a one-off. It’s unlikely in this day of all powerful, well funded teams that a cyclist riding a home-made bike would ever reach the pinnacle of the sport. It’s a fantastic story, but perhaps the focus on unusual riding positions and washing machine parts detracts from the absolute dedication and hard work that Graeme needed to put in to beat the very best. The Obree Way lifts the lid on the training methods that Graeme developed over his many years of cycling. It’s a fascinating insight into the extreme attention to detail required to become a top cyclist. Covering everything from bike set up, turbo training, breathing and pedalling right through to psychology and illness, it’s an exhaustive guide. Graeme’s character shines through with references to his own preparation. training and philosophies. I read Graeme’s autobiography – the Flying Scotsman – at the same time and found that it provided an interesting background to the training manual, giving me a feel for the man and his methods.

 

 

Reap Dividends

The Obree Way is a long piece of work, that requires several sittings and a good deal of concentration to take the most from it. Having said that, Graeme’s informal writing style makes it easy to read. If you’re hoping to improve your time trialling and maybe even win a few prizes in open events, following all of the advice within the book, whilst time-consuming, would certainly reap dividends. If like me, you are more time poor (or less dedicated!), it is possible to dip in and out of the text and take little bits and pieces to improve various aspects of your cycling. Either way, this is a completely different training manual to anything else out there and a great Christmas present for any racing cyclist.

 

The Obree Way – a training manual for cyclists will be available on line

at www.obree.com from the 17^th December 2011 and priced £30 + delivery.

 

Graeme Obree will personally attend book signings this weekend as follows:

 

Saturday 17^th December 2011.

Time

1230 – 1400 The Tri Centre, South Clerk Street Edinburgh EH8 9PP

1430 – 1600 Alpine Bikes, 48 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh EH3 5AX

 

Sunday 18^th December 2011

Time

13.00-16.00 Alpine Bikes, Tiso Glasgow Outdoor Experience, 50 Couper Street, Glasgow G4 0DL

 

Pictures from Rab’s Da’s flickr photostream and by Jean Pierre Van Cleempoel taken from www.obree.com