Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Are there any readers of this column old enough to remember the Flying Scotsman, Graeme Obree?
Now aged 46, he put Scottish cycling on the map long before Sir Chris Hoy. In fact, the latter refers to Obree as being an inspiration as he came through the junior ranks.
Obree shot to fame when be broke the hour time trial record on a bicycle he had built himself with parts borrowed from a washing machine.
Well,Obree is back at it, both innovatively and physically. He is now setting his sights on breaking the world speed record for a human-powered land vehicle.
He claims to have been working on a new design for the last 15 years and, having remained fit despite retiring from competitive cycling in 2001, intends to power it himself.
The new design involves the cyclist lying flat while surrounded by a protective cocoon.
Success could see him being renamed the ‘Scottish Torpedo’!
