AYR Roads/Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club's team of Calum MacDonald, Paul Rodwell, Graham McLeod and Alex McAllister along with Fullarton Wheelers were Ayrshire’s contingent in the May Day Gallop Road Race last Monday.

Promoted by the Falkirk Bicycle Club, this Australian Pursuit Race remains a very popular event for road men from all over Scotland. Staged over Stirlinghshire roads, the sixty mile race saw the Roads team working hard and holding their own right until the final lap of the five circuit race. Despite two strong riders having made an earlier break, the Roads team remained in contention for a podium place. Alex the most experienced rider of the four had tactically brought the team to the front of the bunch and having done his bit pulled out of the main charging group, two miles from the finish, leaving Calum, Paul and Graham to challenge for a podium place.

All three were now up to speed and although missing out in the sprint finish of the main pack, Ayr Roads took the team award against strong opposition. Calum finished seventh, with Paul and Graham 11th and 13th respectively out of a field of seventy two riders. The race was won by Stewart Burke of Team Andrew Allan Architecture.

On Saturday, Ayr Roads were again in competition with a four-man team taking part in Cycling Time Trial Scotland's National Championship. This was the Roads second event in two weeks staged in the highlands. The 32 mile course was run over the Appin course starting and finishing at Ballachulish. Described as a sporting course with some hard drags and short steep climbs, the Roads Team of Calum MacDonald, Rory Webster, Harry Brawley and Alex McAllister finished in sixth place. The only other Ayrshire team to compete, was Fullarton Wheelers who were hampered by a puncture. The wining Team was Dooleys Racing Team.

On Sunday, John Gemell competed in British National Cross Country Championships at Glentrees Peebles. John was up against the best in Britain and finished in a creditable 10th place in the championships. Again on Sunday Alex McAllister took part in the second of the highland two day event by finishing in 13th position in his category over the 20 mile circuit of Loch Leven. Douglas Watson of GTR Racing Team won the event.

“Felt great, that was fun tonight. I’m getting well and truly hooked here”. Those were the words iterated by Aileen Fisher at the finish of the club’s evening 10 mile TT last Thursday night. Aileen secured her second personal best this season and is convinced that her new bike and aero helmet had something to do with it. The new equipment did assist, but so did her regular winter Sunday runs and indoor training sessions with other club members. Aileen was the only rider to improve her time on an evening that saw competitors struggle against a side wined on the return leg. Other times were:

Calum MacDonald 22 minutes 25 seconds; Alex McAllister 23.17; Scott Knox 23.46; Craig Allison 23.55; Jody Gerrard 24.30; Aileen Fisher 26.23;

Robert Kelly 26.29; John Gemmell 26.50; Archie Arthur 28.56

Meanwhile, Dave Allan and John Alexander took part in the Drumlanrig Sportive last week end in the picturesque countryside of Dumfries and Galloway. The Roads club had participated in four Sportives over the May weekend. Dave and company took part on the club's Sunday run clocking up a nice distance of seventy miles that saw the club head by way of Mauchline and then by Sinclairston before heading back onto South Ayrshire roads via Maybole and Pennyglen home.