AYR Roads Cycling Club were well represented in the Round 2 of the Scottish Cyclo Cross Super Quaich series promoted by Ayr Burners.

The two main contenders for the Ayrshire ladies age category races were Janet Erskine of Ayr Roads/Harry Fairbairn CC and Catherine Logan of Fullarton Wheelers. Both put up strong performances with Janet taking second place to Lindsay Branston in her race and Catherine taking first place in her category for the Irvine Club.

In the other events, Ayr Roads members finished very strongly. In the B Race, young Iain Fisher in his first season with Ayr Roads, finished in sixth place against much more experienced riders, but took first place in his age category, having just turned eighteen. This was the young man's best performance this season, and on home ground.

Iain made the long trip from Newcastle, where he is studying at Newcastle University to support his club team in the event.

Super vet Robert Kelly of the Roads was placed eighth in his age category and Robert's son Ollie took first place in the Youth's under 12 age group race.

Ollie, who attends Alloway Primary School is accustomed to podium places. A member of Ayr Roads, but Ollie is also a member of Johnstone Jets, whom he represents.

Other Ayr Roads members performed well in the 'A' race, with Simon Woodliff finishing 25th from a field of 80, followed by Fraser Tait and Rory Webster.

In their age category groups, Rory was fourth and Fraser achieved his best placing this year taking second place, and Simon 14th.

Ayrshire cyclists are now looking forward to the first time trial of the season which will be held on the A78 Irvine By-Pass course on Sunday, February 19.

This popular event, promoted by Fullarton Wheelers has attracted a full field of 120 in teams of two. Within a few days of the event entries opening it was fully subscribed.

The "Icebreaker" allows competitors to gauge their early season fitness against the clock. Those, who have kept up their training regime over the winter with gym work and endurance miles should fair well.

While others will find the explosive nature of the short ten mile time trial painful. A two-up time trial allows some respite with each rider taking pace from each other, but over this short distance course it will be negligible.

Clubs from all over Scotland will be competing, with the largest contingent coming from Ayrshire. Ayr Roads/Harry Fairbairn CC has fielded no less than nine teams, including their ladies team of Scottish Champions, Toni McIntosh and Janet Erskine. Toni and Janet took the ladies prize last year and will hope to do well again.

Meanwhile, Ayrshire Clubs have been training together over recent weeks. "The Monkton Bunch" as they are known meet every Saturday morning, before embarking on a rigorous fast training ride of 40 miles. In a few weeks time, that friendly rivalry will become more competitive, when they face each other in the "Icebreaker".

Other club members have enjoyed a more leisurely pace in the midweek and Sunday runs.

The midweek outing took to northern roads, by way of Kilwinning and Dalry, before heading to Largs by way of the Haylie Brae and home by the coast. A nice winter distance of 50 miles.