ACE rider John Gemmell of Ayr Roads/Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club and winner of the Turnberry Circuit Trophy two weeks ago continued his fine form when he took second place in the Doon and Dirty mountain bike race.

The event was staged on the Craigengillan estate at Dalmellington on Saturday.

Promoted by the Glenafton CC, John repeated his success from last year, and in the same finishing position. The race took in three laps of a very testing and hilly course that required good bike handling skills. Loudoun Club rider John McCracken, who Gemmell beat last year had a fine ride and took first place.

Meanwhile on Sunday hundreds of cyclists descended on the village of Kirkmichael for the fourth edition of the Ayrshire Alps Sportive, promoted by Ayr Burners.

The Roads club is no stranger to this event, some members having ridden the route on a number of occasions already this year, but not in the conditions experienced on Sunday. The weather was atrocious with competitors facing strong winds and rain throughout the day, with some suffering from mild hypothermia. Nonetheless the Roads club contingent completed the full 100 km course which took them from Kirkmichael, via Blackie's Brae, Barr before tackling Glenalla Fell, where the riders endured the worst of the weather. It was then by the Nick o' Balloch and Tairlaw Summit and descent into Straiton with the sting in the tail of the Largs Hill before returning to the finish at Straiton.

Last Thursday the Roads Club held their penultimate evening time trial of the season on the Loans course. Again it was a very poor night weather wise, with only five hardy club members competing.

Scott Knox was best place with a fine time of 23 minutes 21 seconds for the course.

Other times were:

Alex McAllister 23:49

Archie Arthur 25:08

Aileen Fisher 25:58

John Gemmell 26:14

This Thursday all competitors will be hoping for better conditions to complete another successful year. Only two other events remain; the final League event of the season and the club Hill Climb on the first Sunday of October.

On the club run scene, Saturday saw the best of the weather with eight members taking in a circuit of South Ayrshire with a group going as far as Glentrool and recording a run of over 90 miles.

All Ayrshire Clubs will either be competing or assisting in the British National Championship 10 Mile Time Trial on the Eglinton Course (Irvine) this weekend. The UK's top riders will be competing both in the Women's, Youths and Juniors race on Saturday and the Men's Race on Sunday.

Insert Photo of John Gemmell