AYR Roads/Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club remains one of the foremost clubs in the country to have participated in riding a route of the Tour de France stages, known as The Etape du Tour. Some club members have competed in this event on more than one occasion.

Others have also ridden a route of the Vuelta de Espana and the Giro de Italia.

The 2018 Etape du Tour took place on Sunday in Annecy in the French Alps and traced the route of Stage 10 in this year's Tour de France. The Etape du Tour is the most famous sportive in the world and is the only chance each year to ride the same route as the pro riders in the Tour de France on closed roads.

Tony Garnett of The Roads Club completed the Etape on Sunday, covering a distance of 170 kms with over 12,000 feet of climbing. Tony took in the iconic passes of the Col de la Croix Fry, the Col de Romme and the Col de la Colombiere, before finishing in the ski resort of Le Grand-Bornand. He will join a growing number of Ayr Roads members who have accomplished the Etape events.

With the sun shining and a summer of sport well under way, Ayrshire cycling clubs also took the opportunity of ramping up their weekly mileages. The Roads favoured their own Ayrshire Alps and the Girvan and Stinchar Valleys for their mid week group of riders, with the Alps' group recording the longest distance of the week at 110 miles. A long overdue visit to the club’s county headquarters at Pinwherry was also favoured by some. Whereas, the week enders favoured a re-visit to the Isle of Arran, with riders taking in a full circuit of the island. as well as a crossing of The String road recording 90-plus miles on Saturday. The Sunday club run took in the delights of the Nick o’ Balloch circuit, by way of Straiton and infant River Stinchar to Barr, before returning homewards.

Meanwhile, in the Law Wheelers 25 Mile Time Trial last Sunday, Ayrshire clubs were well represented.

The event also doubles up for the Scottish Veteran’s National Championship. Popular local rider, Gordon Graham of Fullarton Wheelers took bronze in a time of 57 minutes 38 seconds for the distance.

No stranger to the National Medals, Gordon broke the Scottish Junior Record for the fifty mile distance thirty six years ago! Now a veteran, he continues to return some excellent times.

Meanwhile in the club's evening 10 Mile Time Trial some good times were recorded last Thursday night, with on form Calum MacDonald taking first place in a fine time of 21.33.

Other times were:

Alex McAllister 22.25

Craig Allison 22.35 = personal best

Harry Brawley 22.53

Duncan McArthur 23.42

Jody Gerrard 24.15

John Gemmell 25.30

Archie Arthur 26.15

Robert Kelly 26.32

Insert Photo of Tony Garnett of Ayr Roads at the finish of the Etape du Tour