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The Hour
Full of fascinating tales, The Hour is the story of one man and his bike against the clock in the quest for pure speed and an attempt to add his name to the list of record holders in the only cycling contest that matters.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2006
4 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Michael Hutchinson
36 books6 followersMichael Hutchinson (or "Hutch") is a British racing cyclist and writer who has represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at events including the Commonwealth Games. His speciality is the individual time trial, but he has also won important races on the track. In 2003 he briefly held the national record for the 100 mile Time Trial; he covered the distance in 3 hours and 23 minutes. He also currently holds the 50 mile and 10 mile national records.
He has made two unsuccessful attempts at the hour record, the first of which forms the basis of his 2006 book The Hour. This won him the award for Best New Writer at the 2007 British Sports Book Awards.
He has made two unsuccessful attempts at the hour record, the first of which forms the basis of his 2006 book The Hour. This won him the award for Best New Writer at the 2007 British Sports Book Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 16, 2019
Another gift left languishing on my bookshelf – this time from my brother-in-law rather than my father – since 2006. I'd been putting it off for two reasons. Firstly, I have a lot of other books to read, and secondly, a biography of a cyclist that I didn't really know a lot about failing to break the hour record didn't exactly sound like a riveting read. However, I was assured that it was good, and as my brother-in-law had gone to the trouble of getting it personally signed to me for my birthday it seemed churlish to wait much longer than six years to read it.
Once they realised I was actually reading the book (finally), there was an admission that my brother-in-law features in the book (pages 44-52 in my edition if you wanted to check). The scene is set, Hutchinson has decided to attempt the hour record, but realises he doesn't have a suitable bike (due to various reasons of over-achieving administration only bikes that cyclists no longer use are deemed suitable for the hour record). Luckily, he remembers an old friend from university, a friend who won't ask too many questions – like why would a professional cyclist want to borrow my old track bike – our hero, Lemanski, who lends the author an old orange track bike for his early track tests.
It seems so uniquely British to write a book about failing to do something. Other people celebrate their successes, only we feel the need to proudly display our efforts and shortcomings. Hutchinson has obviously embraced this part of his personality, having decided to write a book about failing to beat the hour record. Twice.
Luckily, that's not all the book is. Yes, in part, it's the story of Hutchinson's idea to attempt the record, his preparation – the trials that befell him and the mistakes that he made – as well as the attempt itself at the Manchester Velodrome. But, it's also the story of the hour record as the blue riband event of cycling. The history, the previous winners, the rivalry between Boardman and Obree, the short-sightedness and ridiculous officiousness of the sport's governing body, the UCI. Interwoven with the story of Hutchinson's own attempt. Despite the fact that he's ultimately describing something that he failed to achieve, his passion for the record shines through. As does his humour, the book is amusingly written throughout, making it a book not just for cycling aficionados, but sports fans in general.
Once they realised I was actually reading the book (finally), there was an admission that my brother-in-law features in the book (pages 44-52 in my edition if you wanted to check). The scene is set, Hutchinson has decided to attempt the hour record, but realises he doesn't have a suitable bike (due to various reasons of over-achieving administration only bikes that cyclists no longer use are deemed suitable for the hour record). Luckily, he remembers an old friend from university, a friend who won't ask too many questions – like why would a professional cyclist want to borrow my old track bike – our hero, Lemanski, who lends the author an old orange track bike for his early track tests.
It seems so uniquely British to write a book about failing to do something. Other people celebrate their successes, only we feel the need to proudly display our efforts and shortcomings. Hutchinson has obviously embraced this part of his personality, having decided to write a book about failing to beat the hour record. Twice.
Luckily, that's not all the book is. Yes, in part, it's the story of Hutchinson's idea to attempt the record, his preparation – the trials that befell him and the mistakes that he made – as well as the attempt itself at the Manchester Velodrome. But, it's also the story of the hour record as the blue riband event of cycling. The history, the previous winners, the rivalry between Boardman and Obree, the short-sightedness and ridiculous officiousness of the sport's governing body, the UCI. Interwoven with the story of Hutchinson's own attempt. Despite the fact that he's ultimately describing something that he failed to achieve, his passion for the record shines through. As does his humour, the book is amusingly written throughout, making it a book not just for cycling aficionados, but sports fans in general.
February 19, 2019
More personal than his book 'Faster' but equally fun and captivating. The book
again shows Hutchinson's love for (the history of) cycling and its biggest legends, highlighting a discipline that is far less known but could be considered even more heroic
again shows Hutchinson's love for (the history of) cycling and its biggest legends, highlighting a discipline that is far less known but could be considered even more heroic
August 16, 2021
4.5 stars. One of the best cycling books I’ve read. This has it all … excellent flowing prose, chuckle-out-loud witticisms, history, emotion, science and a proper dose of British culture and the Time Trial scene.
Strongly recommended
Strongly recommended
August 27, 2021
1 man, 1 bike, 1 hour.
All this record asks of you is,
How far can you go?
However, as you read this book, the record's simple definition hides incredible amount of work and dedication, where this book presents in an excellent fashion and is really a page turner.
The author of this book (Hutchinson) tries his attempt at beating this very record. As he is working towards his goal, his training and arranging the hour record event, he is also explaining the interesting history of this record, including Eddy Merckx's attempt in 1972 to Chris Boardman's attempt in 2000 after the UCI rule changes and the intricacies of the UCI rules and regulations which are incredibly interesting.
Would you find this book if you are not into Cycling ? I would say yes. This book does not go into "techie talk" for cycling.
It is just the story of 1 man, 1 bike, 1 hour.
All this record asks of you is,
How far can you go?
However, as you read this book, the record's simple definition hides incredible amount of work and dedication, where this book presents in an excellent fashion and is really a page turner.
The author of this book (Hutchinson) tries his attempt at beating this very record. As he is working towards his goal, his training and arranging the hour record event, he is also explaining the interesting history of this record, including Eddy Merckx's attempt in 1972 to Chris Boardman's attempt in 2000 after the UCI rule changes and the intricacies of the UCI rules and regulations which are incredibly interesting.
Would you find this book if you are not into Cycling ? I would say yes. This book does not go into "techie talk" for cycling.
It is just the story of 1 man, 1 bike, 1 hour.
September 21, 2023
Picked up when the tip was having a, "Please. Take a bagful of books. They're free" deal. It didn't disappoint. Indeed, I'd have happily paid 50p for it at a car boot sale and considered it very good value. (I'm a skinflint when it comes to books. Big library supporter, me.)
I'm a slow but happy cyclist who didn't ride much this summer because of the weather. So, reading this over a couple of rainy days has given me just enough mojo back to get out there again on two wheels, just as soon as it stops slancing down.
I laughed out loud, and more than once, and found myself genuinely invested in the story. Yes, to be honest, there was a bit too much bike technology in it for me, but that's probably not a fair criticism, given I'm hardly the target audience.
If the day job nowadays is writing, he's pretty good at it.
I'm a slow but happy cyclist who didn't ride much this summer because of the weather. So, reading this over a couple of rainy days has given me just enough mojo back to get out there again on two wheels, just as soon as it stops slancing down.
I laughed out loud, and more than once, and found myself genuinely invested in the story. Yes, to be honest, there was a bit too much bike technology in it for me, but that's probably not a fair criticism, given I'm hardly the target audience.
If the day job nowadays is writing, he's pretty good at it.
August 3, 2019
I don't know anything about the world of cycling as a sport, but this book intrigued me as I like to read about people striving to be the best showing commitment and endurance, and for me, this book ticked all of the right boxes.
An hour cycling at full pelt around a velodrome needs the courage to face the extreme level of pain and to be able to continue no matter what. This was exactly the right sort of non-fiction book that I like, escapism in a world that is completely unknown to me. A five star read for sure.
An hour cycling at full pelt around a velodrome needs the courage to face the extreme level of pain and to be able to continue no matter what. This was exactly the right sort of non-fiction book that I like, escapism in a world that is completely unknown to me. A five star read for sure.
February 14, 2017
Excellent story from Michael Hutchinson about his attempt on athletes hour record. Great humor and fascinating reading for cycling enthusiast but also for non-cyclists alike.
May 8, 2019
Interesting read
If you are into cycling you will enjoy this book very much. Michael Hutchinson ‘s dry wit keeps you turning the pages.
If you are into cycling you will enjoy this book very much. Michael Hutchinson ‘s dry wit keeps you turning the pages.
November 19, 2025
Very interesting.
May 12, 2008
It took me a really long time to finish this one, and I'm not really sure why. It was interesting-- to someone who's interested in cycling, anyway-- and Hutchinson tells his story in a very amusing way. I often think that non-fiction books get a little boring and repetitive by the end, but this is one that held my interest quite well (I usually find myself thinking 'Yes, I GET IT!' at least a few times in every non-fiction book I read. I'm lowbrow. And I have a short attention-span).
The premise of the book is simple: Hutchinson is a low-level professional cyclist in Britain. One day he decides to make an attempt at the hour record (ride your bike as fast as you can for one hour; see how far you went). The book covers his training, his gear, and his fears and neuroses about the project, as well as the history of the record and some general cycling history. His attempt comes at the very end of the book, so there's a lot of suspense about whether he'll set a new record. A good book for cyclists and those who love them.
The premise of the book is simple: Hutchinson is a low-level professional cyclist in Britain. One day he decides to make an attempt at the hour record (ride your bike as fast as you can for one hour; see how far you went). The book covers his training, his gear, and his fears and neuroses about the project, as well as the history of the record and some general cycling history. His attempt comes at the very end of the book, so there's a lot of suspense about whether he'll set a new record. A good book for cyclists and those who love them.
August 25, 2010
I'm not sure if you need a interest in Cycling to derive the interest I did from this book as it I think all of us understand obsession to one cause or other, but a bit of understanding of the hour record does seem to be useful.
This is about a gifted time trialist in his own right having a stab at Cyclings blue riband event..the hour record..Hutchinson goes over the history of the event which suggests why we should care,looks at the recent British innovators and personalies(just for us Brits to revel in the fcat we once won something)and uses some of this to define the direction of his record.
He goes for a 'cut price' record attempt and as to whether he succeeds or not?...well those that know Cycling history will know those that don't I shall leave you to read or not.
A good book this and a bit of holiday reading for me and as such it fit the bill nicely.
This is about a gifted time trialist in his own right having a stab at Cyclings blue riband event..the hour record..Hutchinson goes over the history of the event which suggests why we should care,looks at the recent British innovators and personalies(just for us Brits to revel in the fcat we once won something)and uses some of this to define the direction of his record.
He goes for a 'cut price' record attempt and as to whether he succeeds or not?...well those that know Cycling history will know those that don't I shall leave you to read or not.
A good book this and a bit of holiday reading for me and as such it fit the bill nicely.
July 12, 2014
I very much enjoyed this book. I used to follow cycling for some of the times Hutchinson writes about and I have strong memories of the Boardman and Obree episodes. I had also noted Hutchinson's name many times when reading about the domestic time trialling scene, but I had been unaware that he had gone for the Hour record. It's a great story and amusingly written. Probably a 4-star book for me and anyone else with a strong interest in the subject matter, but probably only a 3-star book for the rest of humanity. But definitely a good read and I recommend it.
October 1, 2011
Hutchinson displays an unusual level of self-awareness for a sportsman. He knowingly drifts in and out of obsession with The Hour, in thrall to it but not hopelessly so and not able to give it the elbow. It was like a crush: I'm sure he is over it now. The lack of pomposity and reasonable sense of perspective allow the author to display some humour. A good read but I would have appreciated more information about his subsequent attempt.
September 8, 2016
The reviews on the cover suggested that it was 'hilarious'. There were some amusing sections, but I think they overstating the comedy element.
Beside that, it's a very good book, giving a lot of insight to time-trial, hour-record racing and sheer enormity of undertaking an attempt on the record.
Along side that, it exposes more of the officious stupidity of the UCI.
Beside that, it's a very good book, giving a lot of insight to time-trial, hour-record racing and sheer enormity of undertaking an attempt on the record.
Along side that, it exposes more of the officious stupidity of the UCI.
July 24, 2010
Amazing read. A mathematical approach to cycling immortality. Clash with Boardman
January 18, 2015
A great read about an attempt on an extraordinarily hard record.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews