BMCR Quiz Time! Paul Allen

Toks Adesanya quizes Category B racer in BMCR events, Paul Allen who broke his hip just before Christmas so is currently nursing himself back to fitness with gentle rides on the turbo

BMCR Quiz Time! Paul Allen

Q: Let’s go back to the beginning! When did the whole bike racing thing start for you then?
Paul: I started off riding MTB as a kid and it progressed from there. Two friends of mine, John and Kial, were racing at the time so I thought I’d give it a try and I’ve never looked back since.

Q: Can you still remember that first ever Road Race?
Paul: Yes, I joined Thurcroft CC, and I did my first race with Ken Downing (Russ and Dean’s dad) and Ray Alacker. I finished in the bunch. I’m pretty sure I made Ken and Ray crash at some point. Luckily, they were very understanding! After that I was hooked, loved the speed we went and the feeling of being in a big bunch, can still remember that race now.

Q: I know you’re racing CV expands beyond these shores; what was racing in Europe like?
Paul: I stayed in Belgium for four seasons from being a last year junior. It was the best time ever now looking back; I lived with Tim Harris (DS at Movistar) and he was a great mentor. The racing was hard and fast and if you raced well, you’d be invited round for a meal by one of the helpers who would wash your bike and kit for you. If you did a bad race, you’d have to ride home and do everything yourself. It was good character building.

I went to France for the remainder of the 1995 season. I had just done the Irish RAAS and wanted a change. It was better suited to me, and I got some good results. I was invited back to ride for one of the better teams, but I never got there. Things changed and priorities became different and I gave cycling up for three or four years….

Q: You’ve definitely got a lot of racing miles in those legs – how many days a week are you on the bike these days?
Paul: Six – family day on Sundays when it’s off season.

Q: What does winter training typically look like for you?
Paul: Plenty of base training and then spice things up nearer the season

Q: How do stay so trim?
Paul: I keep a close eye on my weight throughout the season and will drop a couple of kilos before targeted races.

Q: Tell us about your 2023 season?
Paul: It was as a long one, with the Gravel Earth Final in Barcelona and Majorca Masters stage race at the end in October. The highlight was winning the TLI National Road Champs.

Q: Congrats on that TLI Champs win. I know its something you’ve been after for quite a while. What can you remember about the race?
Paul: Mark Greenwood and Paul Dring had attacked and were pulling away on the last lap. I managed to get across to them and the three of us worked well together to stay away. We got to the finish which is at the bottom of a 300 metre climb. Mark almost had it and it was looking like for 2nd spot for me but I managed to pull him back and got around him with 50 metres to go.

Q: Brilliant 👏 Now we have a lot of race circuits. Do you have a favourite?
Paul: I always loved the Moda circuit Flintham near Newark. It’s not been on for a few years now though. Peterborough (final Stallard) was also a great course.

Q: Is there anything you wish you could do better on the bike?
Paul: Time Trials

Q: You been racing since you were 15, so how do you keep going?
Paul: I love being competitive and having goals and something to focus on. I also enjoy the training and the long winter rides which helps to destress me and there’s the added bonus of eating what I want when I get home.

Q: Do you ever just go out for “a ride” or has it got to be with a training goal in mind?
Paul: Always training rides! Very rarely do I go out for just a ride. I have to make every ride count as I am a bit obsessive and struggle to ride without a training schedule. I also have no spare hours to waste as I have my own buisness and a busy family.

Q: What’s your favourite training session?
Paul: A solo 5 hour ride on a lovely hot sunny day. Can’t beat it.

Q: Do you get Zwifty?
Paul: Yes, great for controlled training on the turbo and helping pass time quicker.

Q: Where’s your favourite place to ride?
Paul: I’m happy on the flat lanes around Doncaster, Gainsborough areas, or in the Peaks around Hatersage, Lady Bower area over the Strines.

Q: With such application and dedication, are you able to move on quickly from a disappointing result?
Paul: I put a lot of time and effort into my training and don’t always get the result I want which can be disheartening. However, when you’ve been racing for approximately 30 years, you learn to dust yourself down and try again!

Q: Race to win or race for enjoyment?
Paul: Definitely to win

… Continued after the advert … 

Q: Are there any BMCR riders that inspire you?
Paul: There’s a good few over the years, Chris Quinn is super consistent and a hard man to beat. Then you’ve got Nick Morgan, Roy Chamberlain and Ray Bell, all top bike riders. Tony Carter is a super rider in the older categories, he’s achieved some big wins, and is always pleasure to catch up with and is full of great advice.

Q: Did you ever have a favourite Pro rider ?
Paul: Maurizio Fondriest and Frank Vandenbroeke, both so stylish on a bike. Also Jalabert and Bugno, super riders.

Q: Which one – sportive or gravel ride?
Paul: Gravel racing because it’s more of an endurance race. I’ve only done the Gravel Earth event in Spain and I really enjoyed it and I’m hoping to do more of those big events next year.

Q: Do you prefer solo or group rides?
Paul: More of a solo man to get my work done.

Q: Breakaway or bunch kick?
Paul: Don’t mind either

Q: Gels or food?
Paul: Food for training and gels for racing.

Q: Clinchers or tubeless?
Paul: Clincher training and Tubeless racing

Q: Where would we find you in a bunch race?
Paul: Well my wife always shouts at me, and says I’m always dawdling around at the back, what more can I say lol.

Q: Favourite time of the season to race?
Paul: I like it hot so July, August time.

Q: Post race food?
Paul: More than likely a tin of rice pudding.

Q: What advice would you give anyone considering dipping their toes into racing for the first time ?
Paul: Give it a whirl, most people love it, nothing ventured nothing gained.

#BMCR | Thanks so much Paul Allen. Wish you all the best with your rehabilitation and hopefully you’re back racing this summer 🤞😊

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