Ayr Roads are loving all the scenic courses
Pedal group takes on the Galloway Gallop route
Three members of Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club – Beth Macrae, Paul McSkimming and John Gemmell – took part in the last Scottish cyclo sportive of the season over one of the country’s most scenic courses.
The Galloway Gallop route is made up of forest roads, with challenging climbs, amid breathtaking scenery of the Galloway Forest Park and the Raiderland of S R Crockett.
The route starts at Kirroughtree Centre at Palnure near Newton Stewart, where 20 years ago, Roads participated at the unveiling of the Anniversary Cairn, by placing an historical cannister within it.
The route follows the Palnure Burn before joining Black Water of Dee and then a circuit of Loch Skerrow and Loch Stroan.
From here, the old railway line, made famous by John Buchan in his adventure novel The Thirty Nine Steps. The crumbling platform of the old halt at Loch Skerrow is still in evidence.
The route carries on to the former New Galloway Station at Mossdale, before following Raider’s Road to Clatteringshaws Loch. The longer route continues via Loch Dee, Loch Trool and Glentrool before taking the Wood of Cree Road to Newton Stewart.
The trio were prevented from tackling the longer route because of fading light and opted for the shorter route, still a 50 plus ride.
From Clatteringshaws Loch, they followed the ancient track of the Old Edinburgh Road by Loch of the Lowes and the Grey Mare’s Tail before returning to Palnure.
Back on tarmac and in glorious sunshine, the Sunday club run saw 18 riders head to Largs via back roads to Dalry before the descent of the Haylie Brae. They returned via West Kilbride, Ardrossan and the coast road.
Earlier, the midweek group enjoyed another northerly trek clocking up a 65 mile circuit.
Meanwhile, at the club AGM last Friday, trophy winners were announced for the 2017 season. Toni McIntosh took the coveted Senior Best All Rounder Trophy, as well as the Ladies BAR.
Others: Men’s League Championship: Calum MacDonald; Ladies League Championship: Aileen Fisher; Veterans’ League Championship: Scott Knox; Veterans’ Cup: Mark Warters; Junior Trophy: Jonathon Hillbourne; Mason Trophy: Beth Macrae; Evening ‘ 10’ League Cup: Aileen Fisher; Track Trophy: Vic Possee; Sportive: Andy Conway; Turnberry Circuit: Kenny Scott; Davie Bell Memorial Cup: Paul Rodwell; Hill Climb: Ed Clifton; Road Race Trophy: Iain Fisher; Tourist Trophy: Alastair McGibbon; Pennyglen Circuit: Calum MacDonald.
The Off- Road trophy winner will be announced after the final Cyclo Cross event in December.
The annual awards night is at the Arrandale Hotel on Friday, December 8, when Club Member of the Year will also be announced.
Sunday club runs leave Beresford Terrace at 9.30am.