CYCLING AYR ROADS HARRY FAIRBAIRN CC
Ayr Roads/Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club had the occasion to celebrate when a new club record was recorded.
In the Veterans Time Trial Association 10 Mile Time Trial held in Cambridge, Gavin McDonald recorded an outstanding time of 20 mins 9 secs for the distance at a speed of 29.8 mph.
Gavin was just 10 seconds short of a sub-20 minute ride. His time was a new senior record for the distance, previously held by Kenny Armstrong with 20:44 which has stood since 2012.
Gavin who is based in the Lake District recently re-joined his old club, where as a junior he held the Scottish junior record at 50 miles distance as well as the Scottish Junior Road Race Champion.
He is now looking forward to competing in the Roads colours as a welcome recruit to the club’s Time Trialling Team.
In the same event, Ayr Roads secondclaim member, Jennifer George recorded an astonishing 20:41 time for the distance.
Jennifer was just short of her personal best time, which stands at 20:29. She also took the First Ladies Prize. Jennifer, the 2019 Scottish Ladies RR
Champion, is in excellent form and will be looking forward to competing in her first 100-mile Time Trial in a few weeks time.
Another young Ayr Roads lady rider is Beth Macrae, who herself is hoping to challenge the club ladies record.
Beth took first ladies prize in the Georgetown Time Trial, recording a time of 16:50 for the seven-mile course.
Meanwhile, a contingent of The Roads Club clocked up a century ride in glorious weather recently, taking in North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire roads as far as Loch Thom returning by Brisbane Glen and a refreshment stop at Largs.
The club has organised seven League Events this season.
Meanwhile, the new members ride have proved very popular.
All new comers welcome. Meet at the Burns Cottage Car Park at 6.30pm on Monday nights.
In other news, Tuesday night had 19 members competing in Event 3 of the League competition.
An Australian Pursuit Race over the sporting Pennyglen course.
This 13-mile handicap road race is one of the most popular confined events promoted by the club.
Tuesday’s race was a hard-fought one with the four groups of riders coming together on the short Castlehill climb at Croy.
Here young Beth Macrae broke away and was joined by Peter Chudy. In-form Peter went into over-drive with Beth unable to hold his wheel. Despite the main group making in-roads into his lead on the descent to the Pennyglen turn, they were unable to catch him. Peter soloed to the finish at Culroy in an excellent time of 37:42. Another small group contested the uphill sprint, with Iain Fisher proving the strongest, followed by Scott Maclean and Gordon Fields. The handicapping was almost spot-on, when the remaining field arrived a minute later.
On Wednesday night the Roads club were again in action in Renfrewshire, where five clubmen competed in the short 7.5 mile Time Trial, staged at Georgetown.
On the night, Beth Macrae came home first of the Ayr team in a time of 16:54 and was second fastest lady.
Thursday night’s 10-mile Time Trial produced the fastest time on the course for the club this year, when again Peter Chudy produced a season’s best in a time of 20:26 (29.36 mph).
All hopes are on Peter breaking the 20-minute barrier in the next few weeks.
Four other personal bests were recorded on the night: Graham McLeod 22:30, Beth Macrae 23:09, Gordon Fields 24:07, Jasmin McAtee 26:56 (her first ever race).
On Sunday, The Roads Club fielded eight riders in the popular Loch Ken 25Mile Time Trial.
Gavin McDonald was sixth fastest in the Veteran’s category recording a time of 59:43 for the distance. Michael Curran recorded 1:03:50.
The finest time of the day from The Roads contingency was undoubtedly Bobby McGhee riding a non-aerodynamic road bike. Bobby recorded 1:04:37.
Next weekend the club promotes its A to B run. Now in its fifth year, this year’s destination is Bonchester Bridge in the Borders. The outward journey is 126 miles and the return 114 miles.
There will be eleven participants.