WITH Ayr Roads/Harry Fairbairn Ladies finishing in top place in the team time trial two weeks ago and Michael Robb securing first place in the men's composite team, the Ayr club were again in the news at the weekend.

Brian Yates crowned his season long venture into Cyclo Cross by winning the South Lanarkshire Cyclo Cross event on Saturday.

The Team GB Duathlete has had some excellent results over the season, although has missed a podium place by finishing fourth on numerous occasions.

That changed in his favour on Saturday, with his all-out assault on a technical course. Not only did he take first place, but finished in the top three in the overall standings of the four events of the series - a truly amazing result in his first season of cyclo cross.

Brian and Scott Kerr of Walkers CC were also the top Ayrshire riders in the Super Quaich CX Series competition which had 300 competitors. In the same series Ayr Roads super vet Fraser Tait finished 46th.

On Sunday som members took part in the Don Smith Memorial Reliability rides. These non-competitive events are promoted by Johnstone Wheelers in memory of a stalwart of the club and much-respected member of the Scottish cycling community. Proceeds go towards the Accord Hospice and the Braveheart Cycling Fund. The events cater for all cycling abilities, with mileages ranging from 26 miles for the under 16 to 67 miles for short, medium and long routes Ayr Roads club members over the years have always supported these worthwhile causes and rode the main event, which started and finished at Lochwinnoch.

With fine weather at the weekend club members featured prominently in various club runs. In the absence of club captain, the Sunday run was led by Janet Erskine, who took the club members via the coast road to Turnberry. Then by the hill road to Dailly with a stop at Straiton, before returning to Ayr via Croy.

Saturday saw another afternoon run via Kirkmichael and over the hill road to Patna and home.

The midweek run clocked up over 70 miles, taking in North Ayrshire roads to Neilston via the Beith Moors road.

A challenge of the highest order awaits the Ayr Burners on Sunday as they attempt to climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest in only four hours. This impressive cycling feat will centre around the famous 'Nic o' the Balloch' deep in the heart of the Galloway Hills. Thirty-six ascents of its 248 metre summit will be required to gain the 9000 metres to complete the challenge.

On Saturday 'The Sparks' head for the Citadel for another morning of Balance Bike games. Aimed at two to five-year olds, the sessions are open to anyone with a set of wheels.

There will be two sessions at 10am and 11am, both with limited places available. Last weekend the Burners headed on a family friendly 13-kilometre ride in conjunction with the Active Travel Hub Ayr. The glorious weather brought out 12 riders of all ages, with everyone enjoying a traffic-free spin along the seafront.