132 | Cycling World
INSPIRING YOUNG ADVENTURERS Interview with Graeme Obree
By Helen Hill
Graeme Obree is often described as a maverick , but with an exceptional talent for making the extraordinary out of the ordinary ! I had the pleasure of interviewing this illustrious man .
Battle Mountain : Graeme Obree ’ s Story went on general release on 1st April . It has already been previewed at the Edinburgh Film Festival and received great acclaim . We talked about the making of the film and life in general .
Helen : First of all I ’ d like to say that my son and I were watching the film and he was very impressed that you had a vice on the kitchen table .
Graeme : Yes not something I would recommend , there is still dust everywhere !
Helen : When did you get the idea for the film and when did you start filming ?
Graeme : 2011 I first got the idea . I wanted to use my physical fitness , building stuff and innovation to inspire young people in the modern era rather than do something that ’ s last century . That was my main remit .
Helen : Inspiring young people ; why and how ?
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Graeme : I live in this small coastal town , there ’ s not much left for young people to do . I can either hideaway or not . There were some scouts collecting money and I was thinking you need to go and talk to school kids . These kids are living in an area where there is not much hope . I can give them the idea that you can actually do