Cyclo cross events are a big hit with Ayrshire riders

Ayrshire cyclists are lapping up the cyclo cross season.

With 15 events to chose from, the favoured are likely to be the Lapierre SCX Series of six races, with the best five results counting towards the Series result.

The Scottish CX Championships will be held at Aberdeen in December, and a week later the SCX6 on Mull will feature a second day of racing on the Sunday, including the Santacross World Championships.

After the third event in Fife, Catherine Logan ( Fullarton Wheelers) is sixth overall in the Women’s Vet category, with team- mate Lorna Sloan one place behind. Brian Yates ( Carrick CC) is in a similar position in the senior category.

Aileen Fisher ( Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn), in only her first season in cyclo cross, was sandwiched between Fullarton’s Catherine and Fiona Davidson with Catherine 14th and Aileen 15th.

Best local performance in the women’s race came from Joanne Baxter of Ayr Burners who finished strongly in ninth.

Meanwhile, Ayrshire men led by Yates in the senior category, have Paul Gibson of the Carrick club doing well in the younger vets group and the Roads quartet of John Gemmell, Fraser Tait, Alex McAllister and Robert Kelly all hoping to improve as the season progresses.

The midweek group clocked 70 miles last Wednesday, by taking in a favourite run by the Girvan Valley, then by the Assel Valley via Pinmore the Stinchar Valley to Barr.

The hard climb of Glenalla Fell was followed with the home roads at Crosshill. On Friday, they had a leisurely ride from Barrhill to the club hut at Pinwherry and return.

This Friday at the club’s AGM, trophy winners will be announced and programmes planned for 2018.

A birthday cake appeared at Cycle Ayrshire’s AGM marking its 30th year.