Latest Ayrshire cycling: February 4

Feb 5 2010 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

ALTHOUGH the bikes were left at home for Walkers Cycling Club’s latest gathering, all the usual suspects were still jockeying for position at Friday night’s outing.

The occasion was a post-Christmas social evening which took the form of a quiz in the Millhouse Hotel, Stewarton.

Stuart McLean was quizmaster and the organising was done by Harvie Miller, whose team went on to win. Joining him on the club podium at the end of a fun night, which attracted 25 participants, were Russell Newham, Anna Walker and Kevin Hall.

ROAD rides involving Walkers CC followed a familiar format in the past week.

The Tuesday night group cycled from Kilmaurs to Irvine for a chain-gang session on the shore road. It was a particularly difficult cycle for one rider who was nursing cuts to his arm and a sore wrist after slipping on oil as he took a corner. It later emerged that the rider, Tommy Gribbon, had broken his wrist.

Seven riders took part in the Saturday morning run, some with headaches from the booze and banter of the previous night’s club quiz.

The group went from Kilmaurs to Marine Drive, Irvine, before heading along the coast to Troon. Monkton and Symington were other visiting points as they made for the usual fuel stop at Langholm Farm on the Corraith road.

The return journey went via Gatehead, where they split to head either for Kilmaurs or Kilmarnock.

Martin Kuhn provided the day’s big talking point as he managed to negotiate his singlespeed bike round the hilly sections of the 45-mile course.

A small field of three turned out on Sunday for a cycle that reached the outskirts of Glasgow in one direction and Symington in the other.

The trio left Kilmaurs and headed up the A77, switching over to the Eaglesham Moor road and through Eaglesham itself before reaching Newton Mearns. The trip back was along the Glasgow Road towards Stewarton where they passed fellow club member Neil Walker who was out on his own on a secret training mission.

The cycle continued through Stewarton, Cunninghamhead, Dreghorn and Dundonald where they met another Walkers cyclist on his lonesome, but Ian Collins, for it was he, teamed up and joined the rest for coffee at Langholm Farm.

AYR Roads Cycling Club celebrated their 2009 prizewinners at the annual club dinner last Friday.

The Harry Fairbairn BMW-sponsored club enjoyed an excellent meal at the New City Restaurant in Sandgate before prizes were given out by honorary life member Bobby MacLean and club sponsor John Gemmell.

Prizes were awarded as follows: road race and Davie Bell Cup - Mark Skilling; club hill climb - Kenny Armstrong; mountain bike cup - John Gemmell; most improved 25 - Robert Kelly; and Tourist Trophy - John-Paul Baxter.

The club also formally recognised the superb achievements of John Mason who won a national title and European medals on the track.

Preparations for the 2010 Davie Bell Memorial Race are well under way. Last Wednesday club organisers attended an information session with Scottish Cycling in Edinburgh to learn about the Super Six national series, of which the Davie Bell is part. A full field of 160 riders is anticipated for the June event, bringing cyclists’ families and friends to Ayrshire from all over the UK.

AYRSHIRE CTC have a ladies ride from Crosshouse on Saturday, leaving the Spar shop car park at 11am. A longer main ride takes place from Monkton Cross at 10am on Sunday, February 14. More details about distance and lunch arrangements from Drew Moyes or Pat Standen on 01290 550276. The club’s website is at www.cycle ayrshire.co.uk

HERE’S a last chance to sail on the Renfrew ferry as part of an organised bike trip. Strathclyde Cycle Campaign are running a short winter trip on Sunday from Bell’s Bridge along the Paisley cycle route as far as Cardonald, then to Renfrew for the ferry to Yoker. Return into Glasgow is along the Forth and Clyde Canal to Lock 27 in Anniesland for a pub lunch. Note that the Renfrew ferry will be withdrawn at the end of March due to SPT budget cuts.

Start point (10am) is Bell’s Bridge over the Clyde in Congress Road.

FULLARTON Wheelers are looking at the idea of an away day with another group at Pitlochry.

A 70-mile course, taking in some of the Etape Caledonia roads, is being considered for the first Sunday in March.