Cyclists compete in stunning landscapes

Members of Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club enjoyed one of their busiest weeks for some time, with members competing from the Scottish Highlands to the Yorkshire Dales and the Isle of Man. In the Highland events, Paul Rodwell competed in ‘ 10 Under the Ben’ mountain bike race staged over the world championship course in the Nevis Range. Paul finished fourth in his category. A few miles away, Ayr Roads were also taking part in the Etape de Loch Ness. In fine weather, Jim Smith, Andy Conway, Graham McLeod and Stewart McCallum rode the 66- mile circuit of Loch Ness. They joined their friends of Coylton Cycling Club ensuring that Ayrshire was well represented. A day later, Andy Conway rode the 85 kilometre CycleFest Sportive in Kelso. In Yorkshire and coinciding with the Professional Tour of Yorkshire, Stewart McCallum represented his club in the 100km Tour de Yorkshire Sportive. The Scottish Cyclo Cross scene has the team of Fraser Tait and John Gemmell sitting comfortably in 12th place out of 74 teams. Meanwhile, in the British Youth series staged over three days on the Isle of Man, Alloway schoolboy Ollie Kelly was up against top English riders. On Friday’s prologue, Ollie finished in 11th position. Saturday’s sprint stage, saw the youngster put up a strong performance with a massive sprint finish which saw Ollie taking second place and earning him some time bonuses for Sunday’s hilly stage, where he struggled a bit, finishing in 13th place. Ollie’s efforts had, however, secured his team of Johnstone Jets first place in the ‘ C’ team race. Meanwhile, Tuesday night’s Australian Pursuit Race over the Pennyglen circuit was affected by poor weather. Competitors faced a strong south wind and heavy rain, that forced the race to be neutralised and restricted to one group. At the Pennyglen turn the group remained intact, but on the Covenanter’s Road, Steven Maclean made a his decisive break and with a strong tail wind finished first, with Jody Gerrard second and Bobby McGhee third. With glorious weather on Sunday a large group of club members recorded an 80- mile ride with their destination Ballantrae via the Girvan and Stinchar Velleys, returning by the coast road home. This was to be some new members venture into the longer distances, with everyone now looking forward to the annual A to B event later in the season; Ayr to Ballachullish.