THE afternoon of March 20 saw the first road racing action of the 2016 season with the running of two races at Fenwick courtesy of Walkers Cycling Club.

Ayr Roads CC/Harry Fairbairn BMW were well represented with four riders in the A Race and six in the support race.

Most of the best racers in Scotland had travelled to Fenwick to test their early season form and the first of the 17-mile laps was run off at a very fast average speed of 26 miles per hour.

Some tactical riding on the second lap saw the speed drop but only slightly as the favourites waited for the difficult final mile to the finish line.

It was a bunch of 35 riders who contested the sprint with former professional Martin Lonie taking the honours.Best-placed for the Ayr club was Simon Woodliff in 14th spot closely followed by Greg Templeton and Kenny Armstrong. Simon was also the first of the Ayrshire riders to finish. In the B Race 11 riders clipped off the front early on and seven of them stayed away to take the prizes. Unfortunately no Ayr Roads riders were in the move and Calum MacDonald was the club’s best finisher in 15th place with Tim Dyer of the host club best local rider in 12th spot.

Several club members took advantage of the sunny weather on Good Friday to get some miles in their legs.

Most contented themselves with a circuit through the ‘Ayrshire Alps’ on the Galloway borders however Tom Gooding-Hill had family commitments which required his presence at Center Parcs in Cumbria.

Determined not to miss out, he just rode his bike there from Ayrshire., racking up 125 miles and 8 hours in the saddle.

Last Saturday saw the first 10-mile time trial race of the season on the West Ferry course at Langbank. Ayr CC man Alastair McGibbon tested his new bike successfully with an excellent 13th place in a time of 22 minutes 34 seconds, despite some grim weather. Robert Kelly stopped the watch at 23:49.

Meanwhile the Easter Weekend saw Ayr Burners Cycling QTS both home and away on two different cycling activities.

Good Friday saw the group head for the hills of the Southern Upland Way.

Starting in Sanquhar the route took in the ever impressive Mennock Pass before the big ascent of the day - Green Lowther Hill. Also known as 'Radar Road', this steep tarmac challenge rises up to an eye-watering 2300 feet with gradients of over 25 percent.

A cafe stop at the Leadhills museum provided the fuel for the remainder of the loop which made its way back to Sanquhar via the Southern Upland Way, with its beautiful scenery and wide open vistas.

On Sunday 'The Flames' made their awaited debut in Rozelle Park with a morning of games and fun challenges designed to improve skills and inspire biking confidence. The group enjoyed the traffic-free course which was built within the park, as well as the customary Easter Sunday egg hunt.

The Flames are geared for five to 10-year-olds but novices and parents are encouraged to attend.

This weekend sees 10 'Burners' head for the Continent on a five day excursion to the cycling mecca of Belgium. The group will tackle the famous bergs of Flanders, the pave of Roubaix, and the testing climbs that are included in the professional races of the Fleche Wallonne and Amstel Gol.