Alex is a double record breaker
McAllister storms home to re- write history
Two records were smashed on Sunday by a member of Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club.
Alex McAllister was the club’s sole representative in the Scottish Veterans Time Trial Association’s 30 Mile Time Trial which attracted a field of 80 riders to Stirling.
Alex not only broke the club’s 30 Mile Time Trial veteran’s record that had stood since 1990, he broke the all time club 30 Mile TT record by nearly two minutes in a new record time of 1 hour 11 minutes for the distance. His speed for the 30 miles averaged over 25 mph.
Out of the field, he finished within the top 10 veterans group and took first prize in his age category, an amazing performance.
Winner of the event was Douglas Watson of Icarus Racing in 1: 02: 14.
Two evening confined time trial events took place last Thursday at Loans with a strong south westerly facing the riders on the return leg.
In the ten mile time trial, John McKie was fastest in 24: 33. Other times: Iain Fisher 27: 06 pb, John Gemmell 27: 41 and Aileen Fisher 28: 48.
The second event was over 25 miles and staged as a Team Time Trial, with Calum MacDonald, Alastair McGibbon, Michael Curran and Harry Brawley making up the team.
The TTT was completely new to Harry and yet the foursome put up an excellent performance by clocking 54: 49 minutes at an average speed of over 27 mph.
Meanwhile, Bobby Marr of the Roads club has joined a unique band of sportive cyclists, by competing in this year’s L’Etape du Tour. A relatively new comer to the sport, Bobby enjoys the recreational side of cycling and is a regular on club runs. He logged his first century run only a few weeks ago in preparation for one of the hardest days he will ever experience on a bike.
Bobby rode the route of this year’s 18th stage of the Tour de France, that took in the Alpine climb of the mighty Col du Vars and the Izoard. A distance of 110 miles with over 12,000 feet of climbing.
Since the early 1990s, Roads members have participated in the iconic L’Etape du Tour, riding the same routes and mythical climbs as the pro riders of the Tour de France, albeit for one day only. Bobby can be proud to have joined this legendary group of club members.
There was some good news last week from the club’s two ladies who were injured in separate accidents.
Toni McIntosh, who sustained the worst injuries, is slowly recuperating and hopes to get back on her bike before the end of the season. Beth Macrae has recovered well and managed some light miles.
On Thursday, one of Ayrshire’s oldest time trials will take place. The Turnberry Circuit is a handicapped event over 28 miles.
Cycle Ayrshire members took part in the classic five ferries route from the Firth of Clyde to Loch Fyne going over the sea to Rothesay, Colintraive, Tarbert, Lochranza and Ardrossan.
Sunday was July’s Easy Ride with riders from Largs, Stewarton, Auchinleck, Mauchline and Ayr gathering at Belleisle Park for a longer than usual 30 mile ride to Dalrymple, Maybole, Maidens, Culzean and Pennyglen.
The novelty sight was Poppy the Zebra at Lyonston Farm and the commendable pedaller was Scott McKenzie who chose the ride as his challenge to raise money for Medical Detection Dogs.
Saturday is August Ladies’ Ride and Sunday has a special ride exploring dead- end roads around Cumnock and New Cumnock. Details at www. cycleayrshire. co. uk