THE sportive season is well underway for the members of Ayr Burners Cycling QTS with many big events being hosted across the length and breadth of Scotland.

Last weekend it was the turn of East Ayrshire to provide the backdrop for the 'Tour of Ayrshire' - a 100-kilometre loop featuring the best scenery and the hardest hills in the local area.

Five Ayr Burners' recruits took to the start line in what was to become a very challenging day with high winds and 4000 feet of ascent making it tough going for all the participants.

On the off-road front Laura Cunningham headed to Dunoon for round 2 of the Scottish Cross Country Mountain Bike series.

On a fast and technical course, Laura put her skills to good use to claim the top spot in the senior female category, with Jane Barr of Velocity 44 taking the spoils in the Elite female category.

For full details of all Ayr Burners Cycling QTS events please visit www.ayrburners.org

Meanwhile the first major trophy of the season was up for grabs last weekend at the CTT Scotland 10 mile championship in Inverclyde.

The strongest riders in the country assembled in Bishopton for a drag race along the A8 towards Port Glasgow and back, with a strong tailwind assisting the first leg. Speeds of over 35 mph on the initial five-mile section would soon be a distant memory for the competitors as the riders turned into a block headwind for the return journey.

Carrick Cycling Club had four members representing the club with two placed within the top 10.

Kenny Armstrong took seventh position with a time of 21.29, with team-mate Mark Skilling finishing 10th in 21.47. Mick Robb and Davie Fulton posted times of 21.53 and 25.50 respectively.