Graeme Obree to speak in Glasgow next month about IHPVA world record attempt

Graeme Obree will next month speak in Glasgow about his recent attempt to set a new world record for a human powered vehicle.

The former world individual pursuit champion and Hour record holder will be talking at an event at Glasgow Film Theatre on 12 November hosted by Magdala Media.

Originally, Obree was attempting to set a new International Human Powered Vehicle Association record in last month’s event at Battle Mountain, Nevada.

The record of 82.819mph set by Canada’s Sam Whittingham in 2008 was beaten – but not by Obree.

Instead, it was Dutch cyclist Sebastiaan Bowier who broke the record, setting a new benchmark of 83.13mph.

Obree, riding the fully-faired bike nicknamed Beastie that he had designed and built himself, did come away from the US with a record though – for prone cycling.

The Scot set a speed of 56.62mph over the 200m timed section at Battle Mountain after acknowledging that design flaws in Beastie meant that the record he was initially aiming for was out of reach.

Speaking to the Daily Record afterwards, he said: "I don’t feel a sense of failure. I came away with a world record and it has been a privilege to be taken into the heart of this community of cyclists.

“I had this idea my bike would be competitive way beyond the level of previous prones and I could put a good punt on and reach great speeds. It turned out not to be the case, but you never know until you try.”

Next month’s talk, which will be compered by cycling writer and author Richard Moore, starts at 8.30pm and is scheduled to last two hours.

Tickets, which can be booked through the Glasgow Film Theatre website, cost £23.

Attendees will receive a free goody bag from sponsor Fuel Locker, and also have the chance to win prizes from the event sponsor, Alpine Bikes