Gemmell off the mark for new season
Club star’s Cathkin Braes win
John Gemmell of Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club secured his first win of the new season, winning his category in the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike event on Sunday.
A field of over 100 took part with the Cathkin event the first round of the Scottish SX 2017 season.
Glorious weather had members out in force at the weekend, with outings covering the South Ayrshire roads as well as Arran.
Saturday saw nine take the early steamer from Ardrossan to Brodick. From there, they took in the ‘ figure of eight’ route, that circumnavigates the island, as well as taking the ‘ string’ road across the island.
A good 70 miles recorded with excellent climbs that delivered fine vistas of the snow covered Arran peaks and the upper reaches of the Clyde. Sunday also saw 17 take in the popular South Ayrshire fells from Straiton, via Tairlaw climb, before heading over from the Bell Memorial, by the Nick o’ Balloch and Stinchar Valley.
A cafe stop at Barr before the group headed homewards by Glengennet to the Girvan Valley and home roads via Maybole. Another 70 miles recorded, with one member clocking well over 200 miles last week.
The midweek run had five members covering east Ayrshire roads that took them to Darvel, then by Priestland to Galston and Waterside before heading homewards via Stewarton, a distance of over 50 miles.
This Sunday, members compete in the Fenwick, Australian Pursuit Race, as well as Crit on the Campus at Stirling University.
Saturday sees the third ladies only ride for Cycle Ayrshire, an easy- paced ride of 15 miles with a garden centre lunch stop.
It starts from the A- frame between Ochiltree and Auchinleck at 11am. Midweek ride programme starts on Wednesday, April 5.