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My Hour
One man, one bike, one hour. The inside story of Bradley Wiggins's record-breaking ride
For 60 minutes this summer, the British public stopped what they were doing, switched on their radios, their TVs, refreshed their Twitter feeds and followed Bradley Wiggins’s attempt to break one of sport’s most gruelling records: The Hour.
The premise is simple enough: how far can you cycle in one hour. But it is thought to be one of the toughest events an athlete can endure, both physically and psychologically. Eddy Merckx, cycling’s über-champ, called it the hardest thing he ever did. Wiggins, like many before him, discovered the unique pain of pushing yourself as hard as you can for 60 minutes.
In this revealing book, Bradley Wiggins takes you behind the scenes of his record attempt. From planning to preparation, to training to execution, Bradley shares his thoughts on his sacrifices, his heroes, and the people who have supported him along the way as well as what’s to come as he heads towards the twilight of his stellar career.
Supported by stunning photography, My Hour is a fitting celebration of one of Britain’s best-loved sportsmen in his finest hour.
For 60 minutes this summer, the British public stopped what they were doing, switched on their radios, their TVs, refreshed their Twitter feeds and followed Bradley Wiggins’s attempt to break one of sport’s most gruelling records: The Hour.
The premise is simple enough: how far can you cycle in one hour. But it is thought to be one of the toughest events an athlete can endure, both physically and psychologically. Eddy Merckx, cycling’s über-champ, called it the hardest thing he ever did. Wiggins, like many before him, discovered the unique pain of pushing yourself as hard as you can for 60 minutes.
In this revealing book, Bradley Wiggins takes you behind the scenes of his record attempt. From planning to preparation, to training to execution, Bradley shares his thoughts on his sacrifices, his heroes, and the people who have supported him along the way as well as what’s to come as he heads towards the twilight of his stellar career.
Supported by stunning photography, My Hour is a fitting celebration of one of Britain’s best-loved sportsmen in his finest hour.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 23, 2016
Cycling is full of great races, The Tour, the Giro, Paris-Roubaix. These are tough, and few have the capacity to win, but these are all undertaken with lots of other riders. There is one cycling record that is even more gruelling than these; The Hour. Those that have set a new record join an elite club; those that have won the Tour de France and set a record are the crème de la crème.
One man.
On paper it looks simple enough, how far can you cycle for one hour. But this is one of cycling and sports toughest events mentally and physically. If you start hard and fast you’ll fade by the end, if you start slow, then you’ll never be able to reach your target. It is a discipline that requires a metronomic speed around the track with fraction of second differences each lap. Many riders who have undertaken, including the great Merckx, it say it is the hardest thing that they have ever done.
One bike..
The UCI have changed the rules several times on the type of bike and position the rider can use. They can now ride with a regular time trial machine. Naturally the bike Wiggo uses is very technical advanced. They spent a large fortune on the Pinarello Bolide and is pure excellence for the bike geek, it includes custom printed titanium set of handlebars, reduced friction chain, redesigned front fork and a carbon frame designed in conjunction with Jaguar. It is a thing of beauty.
One hour…
He takes us behind the preparation for this attempt. But as a team they had nothing to go on, so they designed their own programme building of stamina and utilising the famous ‘marginal gains’ that UK cycling is now known for. Scattered throughout the book is profiles of those that have taken on this challenge and won; these men were heroes of Wiggins, and with this he joins their ranks. The photography in the book is brilliant, there is a mix of informal portraits, arty bike shots and dynamic image as he hurtles around the velodrome. It is a really enjoyable read by one of my favourite sportsmen as he takes on that clock.
One man.
On paper it looks simple enough, how far can you cycle for one hour. But this is one of cycling and sports toughest events mentally and physically. If you start hard and fast you’ll fade by the end, if you start slow, then you’ll never be able to reach your target. It is a discipline that requires a metronomic speed around the track with fraction of second differences each lap. Many riders who have undertaken, including the great Merckx, it say it is the hardest thing that they have ever done.
One bike..
The UCI have changed the rules several times on the type of bike and position the rider can use. They can now ride with a regular time trial machine. Naturally the bike Wiggo uses is very technical advanced. They spent a large fortune on the Pinarello Bolide and is pure excellence for the bike geek, it includes custom printed titanium set of handlebars, reduced friction chain, redesigned front fork and a carbon frame designed in conjunction with Jaguar. It is a thing of beauty.
One hour…
He takes us behind the preparation for this attempt. But as a team they had nothing to go on, so they designed their own programme building of stamina and utilising the famous ‘marginal gains’ that UK cycling is now known for. Scattered throughout the book is profiles of those that have taken on this challenge and won; these men were heroes of Wiggins, and with this he joins their ranks. The photography in the book is brilliant, there is a mix of informal portraits, arty bike shots and dynamic image as he hurtles around the velodrome. It is a really enjoyable read by one of my favourite sportsmen as he takes on that clock.
December 5, 2021
An interesting account, of what brought Brad to attempt the hour, and the psychology of preparing for and riding it.
The asides about other riders are fascinating and it's interesting to see how he still views them from a fan's outlook, as well as fellow riders and sometime rivals.
Lovely photos throughout. Probably not a book for anyone but cycling fans mind!
The asides about other riders are fascinating and it's interesting to see how he still views them from a fan's outlook, as well as fellow riders and sometime rivals.
Lovely photos throughout. Probably not a book for anyone but cycling fans mind!
June 11, 2017
a good read into a cycling great
August 21, 2016
Admittedly, it is a book that you can finish in an hour or two, but I feel its story goes beyond what's written down, by this I mean in particular the spectacular photographs included in the book - I probably spent as much time observing those as I did reading the book. The Hour Record is something not really known outside the world of cycling connoisseurs, and even for ardent cycling fans and pros alike, you can't really compare it to anything else. To call it the Holy Grail of cycling would probably be slightly over the top, what with the Tour de France and the other two Grand Tours and the five Monuments, but it is at the same time true that it is in a league of its own in terms of sporting achievements. Sir Wiggo and Mr Fotheringham do a brilliant job of putting into words what it takes and what it means for my favourite-ever cyclist to be the Hour Record holder. Well worth a read.
December 28, 2015
Fascinating read about the Hour record which has always had British interest from Obree to Boardman and now to Sir Bradley. You get a real insight at the sacrifices made and the pain that this event causes. Great read!
December 4, 2016
As it is non fiction, I read this book in a couple of goes after a cycle ride. It's a fabulous insight into his planning, but what I enjoyed more than anything was his portrayal of his heros.
It's a really easy book it read with some great photos.
Most enjoyable for cycling fans
It's a really easy book it read with some great photos.
Most enjoyable for cycling fans
December 31, 2015
Interesting read, particularly the historical element if a little self congratulatory
April 15, 2016
Some great photography, but the narrative is a bit limited. A worthwhile read for all sports fans nonetheless.
September 1, 2016
Reading this is just like watching Wiggo's Hour ride - boring as hell. But you still feel you should cheer, out of obligation.
January 29, 2016
Took an hour to read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews