Battle Mountain: Graeme Obree's Story

The loneliness of a maverick cyclist...a world champion, rejected by the mainstream.

For those that have seen The Flying Scotsman, Graeme's story will be familiar - albeit totally sanitised.

For those that have not...meet Graeme Obree & The Beastie...!

Other-worldly, both man and machine...they embark on an attempt to break the human-powered vehicle land speed record. Surreal, both man and machine...trundling down a desert highway...revealing all their fragilities and flaws.

This is wearing your heart on a frayed cuff sort-of-stuff...Obree's story is not just remarkable but involving. His boyish charm is as infectious as his dedication/obsession. Not doubt about it - he's a nutcase...but, everyone with this kind of passion is...

The film tells Obree's story from a perfect perspective...his. A no-nonsense narrative. Candid and revelatory - his comments about doping in sport are eye-opening, jaw-dropping...the men-in-blazers behind the sport ought to hang their heads in shame or, preferably, be brought before a jury and held to account. A gross misjustice was placed upon Mr Obree.

His personal life is his personal life, he's gay - it's mentioned, it's not an issue (now).

This is about a middle-aged man who - as a younger man - achieved, when all the odds were against him, something truly magical - winning the world championship on a bike made from washing-machine parts - all the while battling with mental health issues, grief and confusion. Here is the man still doing what he loves - still battling with his demons...still succeeding.

This is a testament to tenacity...don't give up. Thankfully, Mr Obree didn't and, hopefully, never will.

A fine document indeed.

Trailer...

BATTLE MOUNTAIN Graeme Obree's Story 93 second trailer from David Street on Vimeo.