Michael Hutchinson

Michael Hutchinson is a writer, journalist and former professional cyclist. As a rider he won multiple national titles in both Britain and Ireland and competed at the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. He was a three-time Brompton folding-bike World Champion, and once hit 73 mph riding down a hill in Wales. His Dr Hutch columns appears in every issue of Cycling Weekly magazine

As a writer, he wrote the award winning The Hour about his attempt on the sport’s most famous and sought-after record. He followed that up with Faster, about the training, the science the genetics and the luck behind the world’s fastest riders, and Re:Cyclists, a history of cyclists from 1816 to the present day.

He’s written for outlets ranging from Cycling Weekly to the New York Times, and has presented and and commentated for the BBC, Eurosport, Channel 4, and Sky Sports.

Before he did any of that he was a legal academic at Cambridge and Sussex universities. He now lives with far too many bicycles in London and Cambridgeshire.

Latest articles by Michael Hutchinson

Dr Hutch: You know you're a cyclist when...

True cyclists don’t need anything as flimsy as a love of cycling to bolster their self-identity, say Dr Hutch

Dr Hutch: How exactly do you know whether you are under- or over-training?

Overambitious training gives you the worst of both worlds, decides Dr Hutch

By Michael Hutchinson Published 21 February 18
Dr Hutch: Make the most of your riding partners, even if they are annoying

After considering the alternatives, Dr Hutch concludes that Bernard isn’t such a bad riding partner after all

By Michael Hutchinson Published 1 November 17
Dr Hutch: The death of Bernard

Spring is here, so naturally the Doc's thoughts turn to the subject of death

By Michael Hutchinson Published 25 April 17

Dr Hutch: An e-bike can be your friend, not your enemy

Dr Hutch finds that there is something very appealing about riding a bike fitted with an electric motor

By Michael Hutchinson Published 18 October 17
Dr Hutch: Some bike bodges are more dangerous than others

In the world of bike maintenance, says Dr Hutch, some home fixes can have dire consequences

By Michael Hutchinson Published 22 November 17
Sky's riders slapped, hit, pushed and cheered on Alpe d'Huez

Were the huge crowds on the Alpe d'Huez out of control?

By Michael Hutchinson Published 19 July 13

Exclusive: Graeme Obree 'tempted' to have a go at the Hour Record

Changes in Hour Record rules tempt former holder Graeme Obree to consider putting in a ride

By Michael Hutchinson Published 16 May 14
Hour Record rule change - Athlete's hour to be scrapped

Records set by Graeme Obree and Chris Boardman in 1980s and 1990s will be reinstated under new rules - New attempts can use standard track pursuit bike - 49.7km set by Ondrej Sosenka will still be the mark to beat for any new attempt - Records recorded according to the rules in force at the time of the attempt

By Michael Hutchinson Published 15 May 14
Dr Hutch's guide to the noises your bike makes, and how to stop them

What is that mysterious noise coming from your bike? Dr Hutch has the answer

By Michael Hutchinson Published 28 April 16

Dr Hutch: Time to align cycling's rules with its ethics

Cycling’s questionable morality is nothing new but now’s the time to align its rules with its ethics, says Dr Hutch

By Michael Hutchinson Published 21 March 18
Dr Hutch: The error of going running instead of cycling

Dr Hutch swaps saddle for trainers, and pounds the pavement to remind himself why he loathes running

By Michael Hutchinson Published 12 January 17
Dr. Hutch: The unwritten rules of cycling

Feeling superior to non-cyclists is as simple as knowing the sport's unwritten rules, says the Doc

By Michael Hutchinson Published 26 July 17

What can we learn from Chris Froome's power data?

Team Sky released some of Chris Froome's power data from stage 10 of the Tour de France in an attempt to end speculation about doping

By Michael Hutchinson Published 21 July 15
Dr Hutch: Why racing with panache is so important - if you can pull it off

Panache — the divine attribute that transforms poor judgement into romantic heroism in a bike race

By Michael Hutchinson Published 23 March 17
Dr Hutch column: In the brave new world of Zwift, dishonesty and deceit come along for the digital ride, but ZADA’s catching up

"Give us all a year or two, Zwifting will be indistinguishable from real life"

By Michael Hutchinson Published 7 March 21

Dr Hutch: The chaos and carnage of reliability trials

It’s the “trial” bit you need to worry about, not the “reliability” bit, says Dr Hutch. But just what are they? And should you be riding one?

By Michael Hutchinson Published 1 March 18
Dr Hutch: The terrible and sometimes great teams kits of the 90s

Pro team jerseys were at their very best/worst in the late 20th century, says Dr Hutch

By Michael Hutchinson Published 20 December 17
Chris Froome 'overwhelmed and relieved' after securing Tour de France win

Chris Froome admits that he thought he may lose Tour de France lead to Nairo Quintana on final mountain stage

By Michael Hutchinson Published 25 July 15

Dr Hutch: Long time trials are more like an awkward eating competition

Long-distance time trialling offers all-over body pain and unbridled tedium. What’s not to love?

By Michael Hutchinson Published 2 February 17
Dr Hutch: Hardriders events are strictly for the soft-headed

Hardriders events are strictly for the soft-headed, says the Doc, who has suffered through a few himself

By Michael Hutchinson Published 14 March 18
Tony Gallopin will celebrate Tour de France lead on Bastille Day

The French have something extra to celebrate during Bastille Day on Monday: a Frenchman in the lead of the Tour de France

By Michael Hutchinson Published 13 July 14

Alex Dowsett's Perfect Hour: reaction and pictures

Alex Dowsett broke Rohan Dennis's Hour Record, setting a mark of 52.937km in Manchester. Michael Hutchinson caught up with him afterwards

By Michael Hutchinson Published 2 May 15
Dr. Hutch: contact lenses

This week the Doc tries hard to focus on the shortsighted cyclist's predicament and the difficulty of time trialling in glamour glasses

By Michael Hutchinson Published 20 May 13
Dr Hutch: Cycling is linguistic chaos

Cyclists have an inadvertent multi-linguistic flair, muses the Doc

By Michael Hutchinson Published 16 May 18

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