CYCLE ACES TAKE A BOW

Paisley Velo club celebrates a successful year with prizegiving

Paisley Velo Cycling Club celebrated its seventh annual general meeting following another groundbreaking year.

The cyclists gathered at Bernie’s Café in Bridge of Weir, with the meeting held by club chairman Derek McBurnie, vice chairman Liam McDaid and committee member Colin Sales.

At the meeting they reflected with the membership on a great year for the club during which they had enjoyed many events and club runs.

In short, there were too many events to mention but they celebrated the success of their Sunday social club runs, Tuesday Time Trials and hill climb championship.

Around these core events they also had days away doing the Five Ferries, trips to Arran, Pitlochry, Fife and long day runs to Arrochar and Otter Ferry.

The club also had members competing in national events such as sportives, hill climbing and time trials.

In addition to these events they enjoyed a cycling holiday in Spain and a tour of the Scottish Borders.

At the meeting the presentations took place for the winners of the confined club events as follows:

Time Trial Championship: Time Trial champion overall: David McCormack. Series A Group 1 winner David McCormack. Group 2 winner: Terry Nelson. Series B Group 1 winner: David McCormack. Group 2 winner: Simon Arnold.

Hill Climb Championship: Hill Climb champion David McCormack, second Colin Sales, third Terry Nelson.

Committee Voted Rider of the Year 2018: Daniel Cunning.

Club Rider of the Year 2018: Derek McBurnie.

Chairman Derek McBurnie lauded another fantastic year for the club, adding: “2018 has been another great year for this cycling club and we took full advantage of the best summer since 1976.

“We have 53 members at the club and a core of around 25-30 who are regularly taking part in the club events and out on adhoc rides with other members.

“Our WhatsApp group chat buzzes constantly with people planning rides so there is always something going on.

“We have a wide range of abilities at this club from people just getting into cycling or returning from perhaps an injury or just getting back into the sport to people at competition level.

“We see new members improving so quickly and becoming steady riders within a couple of months and of course this sport is a great way to stay fit and healthy, meet new friends and see some great places on our club runs.”

And McBurnie admits the club are always looking for new members, adding: “I would highly recommend to anyone local who likes to cycle to come along take part in a ride with us.

“We are very friendly and welcoming, and we will coach you through the basics of bunch riding and before you know it you will be flying.

“We would dearly like to have more female members at the club to create more diversity so if you are out there and you would like to improve as a cyclist and join a great club please look us up.

“We are happy to arrange a wee tester ride for you in advance of taking part in one of our bunch runs which are set to suit different paces and distance requirements.”

 You can find out more at www. paisleyvelo. co. uk and click on the contact tab if you wish to make and enquiry, alternatively find the group on Facebook.