Video: Battle Mountain – Graeme Obree's Story

A new feature film about one of cycling’s most idiosyncratic talents is to be released later this month. Battle Mountain – Graeme Obree's Story focuses on the former Hour Record holder’s preparations for and efforts in the World Human Speed Championships on his self-designed, self-built bicycle 'Beastie'.

Originally titled The Outsider, the documentary was crowdfunded by David Street who spent two years following Obree around ahead of his attempt on the human-powered vehicle speed record at Battle Mountain, Nevada.

The film tells the story of Obree’s progress as he comes to terms with the scale of the challenge and builds Beastie in his kitchen.

David Street said: “We are with him when the aerodynamic shell so lovingly and painstakingly built doesn’t fit and has to be ditched and again when the second shell proves to fit too well and is a cause of claustrophobia and has to be ripped apart and rebuilt only weeks before the second deadline of September 2013.

“We are with him in the hospital just three months before the big day when the surgeons have to gouge a huge abscess out of his leg. Will he be fit enough?

“We are with him as he trains in his own inimitable way through Ayrshire’s country lanes and up Tenerife’s Mount Teide and in his living room.

“And we are with him when he finally makes the start line at Battle Mountain in a machine he’s never ridden before.”

Battle Mountain will be screening throughout the UK in March, April and May with Q&A sessions featuring Graeme Obree himself. For more details, see the film’s website.