Bitter blast forces riders off their bikes
Cycling
Another blast of cold weather forced the cancellation of a number of cycling events last weekend.
West Lothian Clarion Cycle Club called off their Lang Whang Hilly time trial in which several Ayr Roads Harry Fairbairn Cycle Club members were set to compete.
Also off was the crit race at Prissick race track in Middlesbrough, where Roads member Iain Fisher was due to race.
Further disappointment followed on Sunday when John Gemmell and Fraser Tait headed to Glentress Forest near Peebles to compete in round one of the Scottish Mountain Bike series. Heavy, drifting snow overnight forced a late cancellation.
John was hoping to start his campaign to repeat last year’s success and retain the male super veteran title over the six race series, whereas Fraser was to be making his debut appearance in this discipline.
Non competitive club outings went from one extreme to the other. A few took to the Ayrshire Roads on Saturday, heading out via Dalrymple to Kirkmichael and Straiton then over the Kilgrammie climb and back by Pennyglen and Culroy.
The Sunday route took members out via Sorn to Muirkirk, heading into a brutal east wind and snow flurries and then north to Dungavel and Newmilns and back by Galston for a much needed warm drink, 58 miles in total.
Meanwhile, Scott Knox was soaking up the sunshine in Fuerteventura taking the Ayr Roads colours up the Betancuria climb.
Cycle Ayrshire will have one of the club’s Easy Rides on the programme on Sunday.
It’s called an easy ride because of its length of around 25 miles but often there’s a climb or two.
This one is no exception as can be seen at www. cycleayrshire. co. uk
Members had two outings last weekend. Saturday was for ladies only and set off from Mauchline.
Sunday’s gathering was from Eglinton Park.