Future Stars

James Gullen - Scarborough Paragon

James Gullen ,18 years old rides for Scarborough Paragon.
Q: How old were you when you first started riding a bike?

JG: I was 6 when I first went on a trailer bike with my Dad, Ray,at the CTT Birthday Rides, then moved onto the tandem, with my Dad when I was a bit older. I then just rode casually once a week,normally on a weekend with my Dad for 10-20 miles, at a slow pace.

Q: How did you get into racing?

JG: In 2003 my Dad entered us for a 2-up 10 mile time trial in Hull. We did a bit of training together ( me following his wheel ) We never did get to do the 2-up due to bad weather, but I had caught the cycling bug and had enjoyed the sense of speed I got from it. I began to train 3-4 times a week over the 2003-2004 winter and became slowly fitter.

Q: What was your first race and how old were you?

JG: My first race was on the back of a touring tandem in 1999 when I was 10. It was a club event in Malton and we managed a long 25 for the 10 miles. It was mainly my Dad, doing all the work though. My first proper solo event was a club 10 mile time trial in May 2004, on a club course in Scarborough. I was 14 years old and managed 27:14, in the rain. I progressed slowly through 2004 and finished the season with a 24:14 for 10 miles on the V514 and 1:06:36 for 25 miles.

Q: What was your first club, and what are your memories of it?

JG: My first club was and still is, Scarborough Paragon. I joined because my Dad was from Scarborough and so he was a member, although we live in Leeds. My memories are the long 70 mile club runs, where I was complained at for bringing the average age down to about 70. The annual dinner in my first year was very good when I collected all my trophies from the years winnings

Q: Who is the most influencial person you have met or been influenced by?

JG: The most influencial people I have met would probably be my Dad, as he got me into the sport and helped me improve ( and also bought me all the equipment ) Also my Grandad, as he got my Dad into cycling and has given me advice and gave me my first road bike. (A steel Graham weigh, if I remember correctly.) Also all the people who have given me advice from the club and at local races, have influenced me a lot. As for a role model, Lance Armstrong for his win against cancer and his achievments in the Tour.

My hopes for the future? Just to keep enjoying cycling and hopefully improve at both time trials and road races. To get to a good road race level and top 20s in national time trials and maybe a few local wins would be really good. But just riding local events and doing pretty well would also be enjoyable, like I do now.

Last year, 2006, I managed 12th in the GHS Juvenile title despite having a cold the week before. I also set a 10 mile PB of 21:37 at Levens in September, while still recovering from a groin strain, which was really good. I also got 3rd in a road race which is my best result yet. This year, 2007, I have already done a PB over 25 miles at 57:46 which should hopefully come down again, and finished 4th in one of the TLI road races, which was good fun. I also came joint 11th in the Junior National 10 mile time trial championship, on a tough course in Sawtry. For the rest of this year I hope to do well in some road races, set some PB'S in both 10 and 25 miles to give me a good position in the National junior BAR and Yorkshire junior BAR. I will also ride the British Time Trial championships, the National Hill climb and the Yorkshire 10 mile championships later in the season, as it's my last year to compete as a junior.