Roads duo strike gold and bronze
Alex and Janet lead the way in Fife nationals
There was no better way to end a highly successful season than taking a gold and bronze medal in a National Championship.
That’s what happened when Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club pair Alex McAllister and Janet Erskine took gold and bronze in their respective events at the Scottish National Cyclo Cross Championships at Lochgelly.
Janet was defending her title from last year and had to put a strong fight on a fast, but relatively flat course with some tight and icy cornering, making for good bike handling skills.
She was neck- and- neck with Caroline Harvey and heading for silver when she crashed on the last lap. Sian Tovey took gold.
Alex, too, was up against it in the Masters race but came away with a great win retaining his title from last year.
Both were the only Ayrshire riders to secure national medals, although Catherine Logan of Fullarton Wheelers just missed out in taking a bronze in her event.
Janet’s tally in the Cyclo Cross scene this year is one gold for the South West of Scotland Championship and now a bronze in the National. These will sit nicely with her two gold team medals from the National Time Trial Championships.
The Roads club fielded seven competitors and all performed exceptionally well. Ollie Kelly finished 11th out of a field of 60 in the U12 race and was up against youngsters of a higher age group.
Fraser Tait continues to do well and finished 12th again out of a field of 60. Newcomers to cyclo cross, Rory Webster and Iain Fisher also put up fine performances in the seniors event while John Gemmell finished 10th in his age group.
On Sunday, Fraser Tait and Janet Erskine headed to Mull to compete in the last race of the Raleigh Cyclo Cross Series held at Glengorm Castle.
Fraser continued to improve by taking seventh place in a strong field. Janet could manage only fourth.
The midweek club run clocked up 60 miles by way of Drongan and Cairntable before dropping down to Polnessan. It was then along by the Doon Valley to Dalmellington and the hill road over to Straiton and the Girvan Valley home.
Sunday’s outing for Cycle Ayrshire was their Christmas lunch ride and could be described as a day of ‘ three halves’ with its choice of two prelunch rides and, of course, the lunch itself in the Black Bull, Tarbolton.