Friendly sportive in Ayrshire

Ayr Burners Cycling QTS raised the bar even higher from last year’s highly successful event by selling out many weeks in advance with 165 cyclists signing up for the big day out in the cycling mecca of South Ayrshire.

Two route options of 100 kilometres and 60 kilometres would see the riders tackle up to six of the famous climbs in and around the Galloways, with iconic ascents such as the Nic o’ the Balloch, Tairlaw, and Glenalla on the fearsome route card. All abilities of all ages arrived ready to tackle ‘The Alps’ including many riders from local clubs such as Fullarton Wheelers and Dunlop CC who turned out en mass to support the volunteer driven local event.

‘Family friendly’ is always a priority for Ayr Burners and this Sportive was no exception. The young ‘Sparks’ weighed in with their helping hands including Kenneth and Robin on starting duties, Reece and Ryan at the sign on table, and young Rory out on route as a marshall wih Dad Alan.

Burners Chairman Chris Johnson remarked on the “team effort from all the volunteers” as well as paying tribute to all the participants who “helped to create a wonderful friendly atmosphere throughout the day”. Ayr Burners Secretary JP Baxter confirmed that this successful event would indeed return in 2017 with “many options being considered wih a view to maintaining the continued organic growth of this fantastic local cycling event”.

On Thursday night, in near perfect conditions, five personal best times were recorded in the Ayr Roads club’s penultimate 10 Mile Time Trial of the season.

Michael Curran recorded the fastest time in 22 minutes 17 seconds, followed by Scott Maclean in 22:48.

Club juniors Iain Fisher and Martin Lindsay gained personal bests with Martin recording the best pb of the night, in only his first season.

Their times were: 27:54 and 24:31 respectively.

Other times were:

Tom Gooding-Hill 23:08 pb

Scott Knox 23:58 pb

Duncan McArthur 24:12

Toni McIntosh 24:50

Bobby McGhee 25:14 pb

The club’s next league event due to take place on Sunday has been rescheduled for later in September, as Ayr Roads will be assisting in the sprint finish at Dalmellington of the Tour of Britain.

A family Affair:

The club’s Sunday run was a real family affair, with Iain Fisher’s mum, Aileen joining the club for her first ever run. That was 55 miles over the Turnberry hills to Kilkerran and the Ladyburn road to Auchalton and then by the Knockgardner climb and descent to Straiton. Iain’s sister Iona too has been assisting the club with some excellent photographs.