In 1958 he won the Bournemouth to Salisbury return race, a distance of 90km, on an 82-inch fixed gear bike in a time of 2hr 5min 10sec, 12 minutes under the old record. He still holds the record and is optimistic about retaining it, due to the deteriorating condition of the road, which has become a secondary route.
Since arriving in New Zealand in 1974, Allen has ridden recreationally. His interest in the sport was reignited two years ago when daughter Vivienne joined the local Women on Wheels group. This renewed competitive spirit saw Allen compete at the track nationals in March and club road nationals last week.
In the Brian Woods Memorial Race on Saturday, the limit mark included Andrew Duncan and septuagenarians Willie Stevenson and Allen. Duncan set a hot pace, aided by a tail wind, which saw Stevenson dropped before Waikouaiti and Allen dropped after Karitane.
Duncan expertly negotiated the railway crossings and steep downhills to disappear from sight. In true hare and tortoise style, Allen stuck to his game plan of pedalling in a steady rhythm and caught sight of the lead vehicle heading up Mt Cargill.
Realising the race was far from over, Allen used his track legs to wind in and overtake Duncan, then accelerate to Mt Mera and take the win by a comfortable three minutes.
Further back, the scratch riders chased hard but eventually most succumbed to fatigue, having ridden to the race start in Palmerston.
This still left a strong group, including father and son duo David and Tim Rush, Lachie McGregor and Kyle Wood, to contest the fastest time, with Tim Rush victorious.
First woman to cross the line was masters rider Therese Duncan, a charge nurse at Dunedin Hospital, and daughter of Willie Stevenson. Next Saturday's race is another hilly challenge from Hyde to Mosgiel.
By Jan Brosnahan.
