Festive fun at Clarion’s Santa race

Club host Christmas bike fun

West Lothian Clarion got into the festive spirit as they hosted their annual Santa cyclo-cross race in Linlithgow.

As always it was an enjoyable day as riders from the club and friends from Falkirk Junior Bike Club displayed not just their cycling skills but also their artistic flair, with an amazing array of costumes and decorated bikes on display.

Riders demonstrated their grit as they tackled a challenging course in freezing temperatures.

The youngest riders were up first, with under-6 and under-8 competitors racing together on a shortened course.

Clarion’s Aemelia Simpson took the girls’ race from Isla Reekie and Freya McQueen of FJBC, while Cameron Bark won the boys’ race from clubmates Angus Dowens and Ewan Martin.

The under-10 race took place on a much longer course and really tested the riders’ legs, with Ella McQueen taking the win in the girls’ race and Clarion’s Rhuairdh Fulton winning an impressive victory in the boys’ race.

Rhuairdh also went on to ride in the next race, which was a combined field for the under-12 and under-14 racers, and was ninth to cross the line there.

With fewer FJBC riders taking part in these categories, Clarion riders dominated the podiums.

Orla Burn and Hamish Hunter won the under-12 races and Sarah Darling and Ruan Vorster the under-14 events.

Jamie Watson and Ross Chisholm were literally in a class of their own as the only tandem competitors but the crowd was impressed by the way they manoeuvred their steed around the windy course.

The final race of the day saw under-16 riders racing together with around 30 adult club members.

Andrew Turner was first across the line, taking the men’s title, with Ailsa Curtis the top woman, despite increasing the challenge with her costume.

Arnie and Lorna Bark took the adult pairs competition and FJBC’s Cameron Archibald took the under-16 race from Clarion’s Evan McKenzie and Gregor Hunter.

Race organiser Ewen Fulton said: “This is a really fun way to finish off the year and it’s great to see such a big turnout on a cold day, with some great racing from both youth and senior members.

“We’re very grateful to Xcite Linlithgow for allowing to hold not just this event here but also many of our coaching sessions throughout the year.”

This is a really fun way to finish off the year