Flying Scotsman : Cycling to Triumph Through My Darkest Hours [Paperback]

Graeme Obree (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2005

Little-known Graeme Obree became international cycling’s most unlikely star, capturing the public’s imagination with his innovative engineering and design skills and unique training regiments. When he broke world records and won championships, the cycling authorities outlawed both his bike and his tucked riding position. He invented the "Superman" riding style and triumphed again. But while battling authorities and other cyclists, Obree was also battling a much more serious threat: bipolar disorder. In The Flying Scotsman, Obree tells his remarkable story with brutal honesty and unexpected humor. Beginning with his troubled childhood in Ayrshire, where the bike was his only escape, Obree recounts his turbulent life and career, describing what drove him to not only break records, but to attempt suicide on three separate occasions. Long known for his courage on the track, here Obree demonstrates a different kind of courage as he movingly lays bare his struggle with manic depression.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wilcockson has been writing about cycling for 30 years

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: VeloPress (September 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931382727
• ISBN-13: 978-1931382724
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inside The Rider's Head, May 7, 2006

By 

Robert Hammond "RobbieLee" (Oshkosh, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flying Scotsman : Cycling to Triumph Through My Darkest Hours (Paperback)

This is the first autobiography I've ever read. Obree's life hold's intrigue as he was quickly launched from amateur to pro in the cycling world almost before he really considered himself a cyclist.
As he was setting world records, he was battling with a low self-image, and when you parallel his thoughts with what he accomplished, you cannot deny that this book does more than just show one man's struggle to be a cycling champion - it explores the true heart behind the actions we do, and forces us to realize that money and fame are not an end in themselves. Ugly thoughts from childhood still haunt him through the very moment he wrote them in this book. It's interesting that as he writes this book, he is still uncertain about what the future holds for him. He has survived truly phenominal challenges, and is amazing in his brutal honest opinion of himself.
He has a very informal style, and his mind flows on the page through his pen, and it is an adventure till the last page.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harrowing but Inspirational, February 7, 2008

By 

Brit C Power (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying Scotsman : Cycling to Triumph Through My Darkest Hours (Paperback)

I have been a huge fan of mr Obree since he first appeared on the UK cycling radar but I had no idea what was going on in his private life until I read this book. This book is a harrowing tale and I found reading it to be quite disturbing . It is not a light read as the subject matter is often pretty uncomfortable, especially for someone who held Obree in such high esteem. I met mr Obree at the UK 25 mile time trial championships and thought at the time how quiet and unassuming he was to be such a great champion. I had no idea who the real man was.

On the plus side this book Is a tremendous David vs Goliath story where an average man in the street (If you could ever consider Obree to be average) achieves unheard of success. The style of writing is easy to follow and the the subject matter interesting enough to draw you into the "one more chapter before bed" trap. If you ride a bike you have to read this book.

The movie (although very enjoyable) is not in the same league.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not light, but very interesting, May 7, 2007

By 

Eva Vanstratum (Aston, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flying Scotsman : Cycling to Triumph Through My Darkest Hours (Paperback)

Reading the book makes the movie "The Flying Scotsman" seem like a made for TV lite version. Obree's had some serious ups and downs, but the book is good reading and gives insights into greatness in cycling, and the horrors of depression.