Ribble Staff Rider Stories: Dee Allen
Customer service advisor by day, triathlete by night. Here we are showcasing Ribble staff rider stories, this week we have Dee Allen.
With goals of Ironman Kona, Dee Allen can push herself to the limits on land and in water – but can also neck a pint pretty fast too.
You get extra watts when your bike matches your shoes...
Dee, you're our resident triathlete, tell us more about yourself.
I work as a Customer Service Advisor at Ribble and have been here for around five years.
Which bike/s do you ride? The Ribble Endurance SL R and Ultra Tri.
Is that a pub I see in the distance...
What is your general riding like, how many days per week do you get out?
Most mileage is gained from commuting in and out of work three times a week - 18m each way. I decrease boredom with a training session one way, and then an easy spin back.
I also teach spin on Monday and Fridays which acts as a hard one-hour session with mixed intervals and also do a standard long ride or turbo session on Sundays.
You've been to some top cycling locations, which has been your fave?
I am a sun-seeker and love a good cycling tan so it has to be Calpe or Tenerife. The roads and views are equally amazing plus there is no escaping mountain climbs which are my favourite, I just hate the descents.
Who do you mainly ride with?
I mainly ride solo unless I am away with friends on holiday, or on the Tuesday night Ribble ride outs.
Are there any events you have got your eye on?
I had planned on racing Ironman UK however that will now have to be next year's goal due to current circumstances.
What is your ultimate cycling goal?
As a triathlete my ultimate goal is to race in the pro field at the Ironman World Championships in Kona - riding the Ribble Ultra TT out there would be so much fun.
Who is your favourite pro rider and why?
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (UCI Female Cyclo-cross World Champ). I love her grit and determination, she never gives up on a fight. A true asset to women in sport.
If you could have the skill of any rider, who would it be?
Peter Sagan. I would love his bike handling and fierce descending skills. As a triathlete mine are very poor.
Tell us what cycling means to you...
Cycling is an escape - I love the freedom it provides, it allows you to get lost in your mind. Plus you get to see so many great places travelling for races/training. It’s also great to meet a lot of different people and is the perfect form of meditation and stress relief!
You're an interesting lass, so tell us one thing we might not know about you...
I am a twin, and also very good at downing a pint of beer.
What has been your proudest cycling moment?
Winning the team 100km charity time trial as part of the Ribble staff team in Mallorca and beating our owners True in the process - it was a good day.
There have been a lot of highs, but we’ve all had the lows. Tell us about a time that stands out for the wrong reasons.
Having to hitchhike off Mount Teide in Tenerife, holding our bikes out of a Fiat Punto after the temperature dropped to two degrees and it started snowing with really heavy crosswinds. It was 22 degrees at the bottom so we were just in shorts and a jersey, I have never been so cold and honestly thought I was going to die. The 100 Euro taxi fare to get back to the warmth of our apartment was so worth it and there was definitely a celebratory beer or two afterwards.
I'm off... to the pub.
Images with thanks to Two26 Photography.
Meet the team behind the bikes, introducing full-time Product Manager and part-time model: Joe Davenport.
Introducing Jackson Welsh, the man behind the videos in: From Cameraman to cover boy
Best Gravel Bikes 2026
What actually makes ‘the best’ gravel bike in 2026? A clear guide to choosing the best bike for how you actually ride.
What is a Gravel Bike?
Gravel bikes are changing how people ride. Sitting right in the middle of road and off-road, they're fast on tarmac and stable on loose ground. Comfortable over long distances and ready for whatever the ride throws at you.
Gravel Bikes - Which frame material is right for you?
More cyclists than ever are seizing the opportunity to take their rides off-piste in search of freedom and adventure. But to do so, you need the right tool for the job - a gravel bike. The Ribble gravel range consists of four frame materials. Each of these offers something a little different in terms of ride quality, longevity and performance characteristics. So how do you decide which frame material is right for you?
Tyre Choice and Pressures for UK Gravel
Tyres can make or break your gravel ride. This blog cuts through the guesswork on width, tread and pressure, showing you what actually works for UK conditions.
Getting the right set up is half the battle
Getting your gravel bike set up right is the difference between enjoying the ride and counting down the miles. This blog breaks down the key adjustments that actually matter, from saddle height to bar position and tyre pressure, without drowning you in jargon.
Why Gravel Riding Works In February
February gravel isn’t about hero rides. It’s about quiet trails, mixed surfaces and riding for the sake of it. This blog dives into why Ribble staff and the Outliers keep choosing gravel when winter drags on, from traffic-free routes to bikes built to handle proper UK conditions.
Post Ride Checks That Keep Your Gravel Bike Running
Winter wrecks bikes. This blog shows you how to fight back in five minutes flat. No tools, no faff. Just the simple checks that stop small issues turning into expensive problems. From wiping down grit to spotting tyre cuts and keeping your chain alive, it’s the bare minimum that makes a massive difference. Ride more. Fix less. Your future self will thank you.
Winter Gravel Clothing Guide
Winter gravel isn’t about suffering. It’s about turning up and staying comfortable. This guide shares no-nonsense kit advice from Ribble staff and the Outliers on what actually works in a UK February.
Best Road Bikes for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Getting Started
New to road cycling and drowning in jargon? This guide cuts through the noise. We break down what actually matters on your first road bike, from comfort to gearing, and show you which options suit real UK riding. No hard sell. No tech waffle. Just straight-talking advice to help you choose a bike you will actually enjoy riding.
When To Service Your Bike? A Practical Guide for Every Rider
Looking after your bike doesn’t start and end with a clean after riding. Regular servicing keeps it working at its best, no matter how often you ride. The tricky part is knowing when a service is needed. Too early feels unnecessary. Too late and the problems have already crept in. This guide breaks it down simply so you can ride more and worry less.
Staying Motivated: Winter Wisdom From The Ribble Family
When winter kills your motivation, even the pros feel it. The difference is they’ve built strategies that keep them riding when willpower runs out. Here’s how they stay consistent, break through the slump, and keep the pedals turning through the toughest months.
10 weeks down and far from decided: here’s why to join now
Ten weeks in and building momentum. Join the Ribble Winter Racing Series now - your best 10 results count. Race hard, miss weeks, progress.