Quiz Time! Paul Stewart (Cat E Racer!)

Another BMCR quiz, this time Toks Adesanya quizzes Paul Stewart, who began his racing as a schoolboy at Eastway and who has had plenty of podium visits in 2023 – nine second places in 2023!

Quiz Time! Paul Stewart (Cat E Racer!)
by Toks Adesanya

Coming up is last of the present series of Q&A’s with a BMCR athlete. This guy is a Category E (60-64) racer. You know, the ones with all the swagger – born in the 60s and race in their 60s 😎🌈💪 Introducing – the man who needs no introduction- Mr Paul Stewart 👏

BMCR: What you been getting up to this winter mate?
Paul: Steady rides of no more than 3 hours, focusing on cadence, I have just started doing Pilates too! This has been a revelation! And I have started playing Padel(Tennis) with my son too.

BMCR: Do you do any strength and conditioning work?
Paul: Ummm! not really, just press ups and sits ups with some regular stretching. I should do more really!

BMCR: Me too…I was supposed to join a Gym last month and it didn’t happen😗 How many days per week are you on the bike?
Paul: Six, this will include turbo and recovery café rides as well as some racing of course!

BMCR: Do you diet?
Paul: Not really. I think everything in moderation is the best approach. I do try and be careful if I am coming up to some races that I want to do well in.

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BMCR: What’s your go to event when it comes to bike racing?
Paul: I love a good fast Criterium and a challenging Road Race

BMCR: Tell us about your 2023 season?
Paul: A season of second places – I’ve had nine! This has been a little frustrating but I did win the excellent Criterium Des Vainqueurs, which was my last race of the season in the UK! I then finished 2nd again in the Mallorca Masters Europa Cup, in biblical conditions! If you’d asked me this question last year, I could have said it was excellent with 10 Wins! But honestly 2023 was no less enjoyable.

BMCR: How long have you been racing now?
Paul: Since I was 14, I have had a couple of years out in the late 90’s and tried a few different sports, but I have always come back to cycling. The camaraderie and banter is second to none and I just love to race.

BMCR: Where did you first start racing?
Paul: It was a schoolboy race at Eastway. I got dropped on Oxo hill!! I remember it being a Becontree Wheelers early season 10 lap race and there was well over 100 riders! I am Sure Steve Bent won.

BMCR: Do you have a particular approach in your mind when it comes to racing?
Paul: I always go into a race with a mindset of trying and win. I know I am never going to be the strongest rider, so I have to manage my efforts and think about the race. If the win is not possible, then try and get a positive result from the event.

BMCR: What’s your favourite race circuit?
Paul: Darley Moor, Milton Keynes Bowl (the tricky circuit) and the long lost, but never forgotten Eastway!

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BMCR: You’ve been racing quite awhile now but are there still things you’re learning about racing?
Paul: It’s taken me a long time to learn how to rest properly and arrive as fresh as possible on the start line. I wish I’d learnt how to do this better in my younger years.

BMCR: Hmmm… you’re probably not the only one who finds it hard to take it easy … I bet you’ve raced for quite a few teams, which ones?
Paul: I started racing with Letchworth Velo in 1976, then CC Luton for many years. I moved to Derbyshire in 1999 and have been with a few local clubs but for 2024 I will be with ‘API Anglia Sport’, which will be a lot of fun.

BMCR: What do you say if people ever ask… how comes you are you still racing?
Paul: Because I love it and I still can. Sport is so good for your well being and cycling is the best. I have lost some friends at a far too young an age, and I am well aware that there will be a time when I have to stop. So I intend to make the most of my time and enjoy myself. I have to admire riders such as Bill Cotton and Geoff Cooke who are still racing and clearly enjoying themselves in their twilight years.

BMCR: Indeed, those two fellas are amazing. How much of a role has cycling played in your life beyond the racing side?
Paul: I am lucky enough to have discovered cycling at an early age and enjoyed every second of it as my sport and hobby. I have also made my living from the cycle industry, having recently retired from one of the trades major distributors. I was also President of the Bicycle Association for number of years, working with industry colleagues to lobby government for more funds for cycling and active travel in the UK.

More recently I have joined BMCR NEC and as well as organising three races this year, my role is to try and market the BMCR to a wider audience and encourage new racers and organisers to our wonderful organisation.

BMCR: Gosh thats impressive – lots of very important work too. 👍 What would you say are your favourite BMCR events?
Paul: Any Stallard is always a good competitive race and The National Champs are definitely a good target for the season ahead. The new Griterium series looks interesting too.

BMCR: In one word describe yourself as a racer?
Paul: Puncheur!

BMCR: Have you been seduced by Zwift?
Paul: Yes, but I don’t get drawn into the competitive side of the game, I use it as a tool for my own benefit. It just makes things a bit more fun on those cold Winter nights. I ride with a group and we have set up a discord group so we can chat together as well!

BMCR: Where are your favourite places to ride?
Paul: I love rides in Mallorca and Alicante and races in Belgium

BMCR: Current Favourite race?
Paul: Ludlow Brewery Road Race, brilliantly organised!! I just love the circuit and the prizes! A very close second would be any race around the Towcester circuit, another great racing circuit

BMCR: When you think back to your school days, were you one of those sporty guys?
Paul: Yes, I played a lot of Rugby, Cricket and Cross Country. We seemed to do a lot more sport than kids do now at School…..Don’t get me started on that one!

BMCR: What metric do you use when it comes to training – powermeter, HRM or perceived exertion?
Paul: All of those but only fairly recently. I am a bit old school when it comes to the numbers but I have worked out a way to use them that suits me and helps me peak for a series of races.

BMCR: What are you like post race if it hasn’t quite gone to plan?
Paul: It depends. If I’ve lost to a better rider or group of riders then with a smile on my face. If I’ve lost because I’ve made some errors then with added motivation to do better next time!

BMCR: Are you still racing to win or is it simply for enjoyment?
Paul: Both, in that order, but it isn’t easy to win a bike race so you have enjoy yourself

BMCR: Who first inspired you to race?
Paul: Firstly, my Dad got me into cycling, Then I have been blessed to have been inspired by a few great riders, Chris Gunter, Phil Galloway & Kevin Morgan. These guys taught me how to race.

BMCR: What BMCR riders continue to inspire you?
Paul: There are too many to mention, however, Mike Twelves is the benchmark for our age group, a great rider in so many disciplines. The standard of racing is excellent in all age groups. The racing is tough and very competitive, that is inspiration enough.

BMCR: Who would you say was your favourite Pro rider?
Paul: King Freddy Maertens was the man! I remember watching him on the Saturday morning slot on World of Sport in the Tour De France. It really resonated with me and I was hooked on our wonderful sport.

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BMCR: What’s you favourite pro race?
Paul: Any Spring Classic, but Liege Bastogne Liege would be my fav.

BMCR: Back to your own racing, is there a pre-race diet ritual?
Paul: Honestly, I do like to have a pint of Guinness the evening before a race along with a good balanced meal the evening beforehand and a Caffeine gel with 20 mins to go

BMCR: Where would we find you in a bunch race?
Paul: On the wheel of the guy I think is going to win

BMCR: Win or lose, whats the post race food ritual?
Paul: Anything home cooked or prepared with a nice glass of red wine

BMCR: Do you take guidance or coaching from anyone?
Paul: No coach, but I have taken advice from Dave Gretton and Anthony Wallis. I like to listen to good advice and work out how it will work for me. In fact I do speak with Anthony Wallis quite a bit as he has some great insight on getting the best out of your interval training and just as importantly how to rest.

BMCR: We know at BMCR there are still guys taking up cycle racing even in their 60’s and 70s which is brilliant. What advice would you give to any masters riders looking to try their hand at racing?
Paul: Go for it, chat to a few good riders and organisers who will give very solid advice. BMCR is a great platform for starting and have a go in a couple of circuit races first where there is no traffic to contend with. Darley Moor is brilliant for this, nice and wide and safe to race on.

Thanks Paul that was brilliant 😎. Also another shout out to Anthony Wallis, Dave Turton, Paul Allen, Lesley Wilkinson, Roy Chamberlain for being so generous and sharing their thoughts about bike racing.

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