Xmas Feature – Dave McGowan (Pedal Heaven)

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Going up to UCI Conti level in 2016 is Liverpool’s Dave McGowan who rides in 2016 for Pedal Heaven

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Xmas Feature – Dave McGowan (Pedal Heaven)
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1. With the team going conti, what races are you looking forward to most next season and why?
Dave: With the step up to Conti level next year it should mean getting a ride in some of the biggest races here in the UK, so riding in the Tour of Britain, Tour of Yorkshire and Ride London would be an unbelievable experience.

I’m a big fan of crit racing so the Tour Series is always good fun to ride. The crowd and the atmosphere at each event is fantastic and really gets the adrenalin going. Hopefully the team will get an invite to a few races over on the continent too.

2. What were your highlights in 2015?
Dave: A highlight of 2015 for me was almost taking the win at the Peterborough round of the Tour Series. With a lap to go I took off and got the gap. There were a few good sprinters in the break and I thought that they might watch each other and I could keep the gap but they caught me just before the line.

I was a bit disappointed but it was good to know I had good legs. Taking the Non UCI team title and getting on podium with the entire team in Bath was a great feeling. The team is like a big family so we were very proud of what we had achieved there.

3. What race was the most fun in 2015 and why?
Dave: The race I had the most fun at was probably the Stockton round of the national Crit Series. It was like a Pedal Heaven free for all. We had riders on the attack all race and dictating the race from start to finish. We ended up with four riders in the top 10 I think. Truth is every race is always a good laugh. We’re all aware that we have to do a job but you’ve got to enjoy yourself too. The banter on Pedal Heaven is insane at times.

4. How do you manage to mix full time work with racing especially during events like the Tour Series
Dave: Trying to balance both work and racing can be difficult at times but as you get older you realise what you can and can’t do and change things accordingly. I don’t feel I miss out from doing less training.

It’s more the recovery. If you train smart then you don’t always have to too much. During the racing season it can be a bit of a pain trying to drag myself into work after a late night at one of the crits. I’m quite lucky in the fact that my boss is a racer and former National Crit Champ Dave Williams so he understands when I’m a bit wiped out or might need time off to go bike racing.

5. Tell us about your winter training bike, what is different about it compared to your race bike?
Dave: The bike I ride in the winter is just a basic alloy bike with mud guards on. I love it when it comes round to getting on my winter bike again. It’s like an old pair of slippers. It feels a bit strange at first but then you get used to it, and it becomes most comfy thing to be on. It may be held together by cable ties and dirt but it’s fantastic. It’s a million miles away from my Specialized race bike but it gets the job done!

6. How will you spend December on the bike?
Dave: During the next month I’ll spend it doing a mix of miles on the bike and gym work, My commute to work and back keeps me ticking over nicely and means I don’t get too fat. I’m a big believer in gym work over the winter.

A good mix of weights and core exercises have really helped me. I don’t go overboard too early in the winter because you’ve got to try keep something back for an encore after Christmas. If I can’t get fit between new year and the Soens, then I’m definitely getting past it…

7. A cheeky Xmas one- if you could have any cycling related xmas present – what would it be!
Dave: If I could treat myself to something for Christmas it would be the promise of a holiday during the summer. It’s rare that I get away during the season and I know it would put a smile on my missus face if we escaped at that time of year… Without the bike anyway ;-)

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