ALLAN CREW: From Basement Beginnings to Blue-Kit Belief

If SISU Racing had a spirit animal for quiet progress that turns into something special, Allan Crew might be it. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, racing Lavender League nights once “dad duty” is fully ticked off, Allan is the definition of showing up, stacking small wins, and trusting the process. The result? Crowned SISU Racing E Grade Club Champion in 2024/25, now mixing it with confidence in C Grade, and captaining the ZRL Riekko team along the way.

The Pain Cave That Started It All

Allan’s pain cave is wonderfully no-frills and deeply sentimental: a basement setup next to his work-from-home desk, powered by a Wahoo KICKR Core and the first road bike he ever bought back in college - a Specialized Allez he’ll never part with. Spotify decisions? Outsourced entirely. Search “Cycling Workout”, hit play, and let fate decide the soundtrack. It’s spontaneous, uncomplicated, and perfectly Allan.

Coffee is… complicated. Known for black coffee, yes - but evening Zwift races after bedtime routines mean espresso is a hard no. Night owl by necessity, Allan has found his rhythm bouncing between Indigo and Lavender league start times, turning late evenings into something he genuinely looks forward to.

“From Have To, Get To”

Ask Allan how he’d describe himself as a rider and you won’t hear bravado. Instead: inexperienced but growing, strong willed, dedicated, and accountable. SISU Racing - and especially racing with Team Riekko has become his anchor. ZRL isn’t just racing; it’s structure, connection, and a weekly reminder of why consistency matters.

That mindset shift from “I have to train” to “I get to race” has been transformational. With two young kids at home, bike time is precious. Allan treats it that way. Racing isn’t a chore; it’s an opportunity to invest in health, strength, and something he genuinely loves. Since mid-2025, that perspective has spilled into the kitchen too, with better nutrition choices and tangible progress toward weight and strength goals.

Growth You Can Measure and Feel

Allan’s journey into cycling began back in 2010, exploring the Twin Cities’ trails with his wife, before branching into MTB and community rides that supported local causes. Zwift arrived in January 2020 as a way to build routine fitness but it wasn’t until later that racing, structure, and SISU truly clicked.

Earning the E Grade Club Championship, and finally being bumped into C Grade caught him off guard in the best possible way. “I had to change how I trained to make sure I had it in me,” he admits. That moment being surprised by your own progress is one many SISU riders will recognise.

The recipe? No secrets. Ride 3–4 times a week. Align training plans with ZRL and club rides. Track progress. Celebrate milestones. And just as importantly, don’t rush the upgrades. Allan is in this for sustainable growth, not shortcuts.

Captain, Connector, Teammate

If you’d told Allan a year ago he’d be captaining a ZRL team, he wouldn’t have believed you. Yet here he is, helping build and lead SISU Racing Riekko with inclusivity at the core. He’s the first to admit he’s not the fastest wheel but reliability, encouragement, and communication matter just as much.

That’s why his favourite race format is the Team Time Trial. TTTs reward coordination, trust, and shared effort. They’re loud on Discord, brutally fast, and somehow over before you realise what just happened. Pure team racing. Pure SISU.

Blue Kit, Big Dreams

When the all blue SISU kit landed in garages last year, Allan was hooked. Spotting it in the wild is now on his to-do list, with a real world kit purchase firmly in sight.

Looking ahead to 2026, Allan’s calendar is filling fast: Club Championships, Pinkki, the SISU Tour and some serious outdoor ambitions. A century around Lake Minnetonka. A 150-mile ride on Minnesota’s Mesabi Trail. His first taste of bikepacking. Same approach as always: plan it, commit to it, enjoy the process.

SISU, According to Allan

“SISU Racing is motivational and supportive,” Allan says. “A group of exceptional individuals united by a shared passion for cycling and racing built on inclusion, with success and personal growth always at the forefront.”

From a basement Allez to blue kit belief, Allan Crew’s journey is a reminder that SISU isn’t about where you start. It’s about showing up, backing your people, and realising one night race at a time that you get to do this.