New Webmaster
Bow before me you lesser minions!!!
Only joking folks, just starting out using the web editor so bear with me please while I get used to it. Anything you think that should be on the web site please let me know. My email is in the contacts page.
Cheers for now.
Club AGM – changes afoot!
Sigh of relief – Club Captain Mark Skilling is your new webmaster. He takes over the controls pretty much now… or as soon as I log off. Ciao!
New webmaster needed
After six years the club webmaster is standing down and therefore the club pages will need someone else to look after them. If that someone is you please get in touch. The site is currently based on a wordpress blog that is easy to manage if you want to keep it as is, otherwise any content required will be made available to populate a new site.
Cheers
Road School Week 1: A great success!
Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMW’s new ‘Road School’ initiative got off to a great start last Saturday when 15 junior and novice cyclists turned out despite the miserable weather. ‘Road School’ is a six week programme aimed at equipping novice and junior riders with the skills and experience to develop as road cyclists.
Think it looks easy? Come along this Saturday to find out…
Week 1 was split between a session of introductory games and exercises that tested riders bike handling skills and a led ride out to Dalrymple and back. The new recruits were quick to show off their balance and cornering, and proved themselves more than capable of dragging a partner round a tight slalom course with only one arm!
Ayr Roads are keen to welcome over 12s and novice riders along to the sessions which take place each Saturday starting from the Burn’s Centre Car Park at 0930.
Club Chairman Blair Wyllie was delighted by the new initiative:
“The club is going from strength to strength; we were fifth best club at the Scottish championships, we hosted the biggest day race in Scotland at the Davie Bell Memorial, and our riders have been breaking club records all year. With Road School we can welcome and encourage the next generation and ensure Ayrshire cycling continues to grow.”
Week 2 will see participants practice riding in a bunch, using a short 1 mile circuit to master chain gangs and echelons before putting the theory to practice on a group ride out to Dunure and back.
Participants should have a road worthy bicycle and clothes appropriate for the weather. Ride leaders stress that the focus is on fun and participation rather than speed and performance. For more information on the programme go here.
New ‘Road School’ for Juniors and Novices
A six week Saturday club to try road cycling.
25th August to 6th October - 09:30 to 12:00 from Burns Museum Car Park, Alloway
- Learn how to ride in a bunch, form a chain gang, through and off.
- Try a time trial
- Increase your speed and mileage
- Learn basic cycle maintenance and roadside repairs
- Graduate to the Ayr Roads Cycling Club Sunday Run
“I wish i’d been to Road School”, thought Kenny Armstrong – pipped to the line again by his shadow, Trevor Wilson
These sessions are run by Ayr Roads Cycling Club and led by a trained ride leader and cycle instructor.
Participants must:
- be 12 and over;
- have a road worthy bicycle;
- and wear clothing appropriate for the weather.
It is recommended that riders carry a spare inner tube, pump and tyre levers. A flap jack always provides a tasty treat too.
Under 18s should complete and bring a Parental Disclaimer and emergency contact details
Session details including routes will be posted in advance at www.ayrroadscc.com. These may be subject to change depending on weather conditions and road conditions.
All rides will start at 0930 and aim to return to the start point by 1200 (give or take 15mins).
Club representatives prioritise safety and safe riding skills. However, road cycling is not without its risks and all participants take part understanding this.
Schedule
Week 1: 25th August 2012
Level 1 cycling skills
1hr Led Ride
Week 2: 1st September 2012
90min group ride practicing through and off, chain gang, and echelons
Road side repair
Week 3: 8th September 2012
Group ride with hill climb (Carrick Hill)
Route planning
Week 4: 15th September 2012
Mini Time Trial and Australian Pursuit Race
Break – Bank Holiday Weekend
Week 5: 29th September 2012
Group ride with interval sessions:
Sprints and hill reps
Week 6: 6th October 2012
2.5 hr group ride – prepare to join main club run
If you would like to take part in Road School, please email ayrroads@gmail.com
Scottish Team Time Trial Results
Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMW continue to enjoy the best season in the club’s history with a fine 5thplace in the Scottish Team Time Trial Championships on Sunday 29th. Captain Mark Skilling of Dalrymple led his teammates Kenny Armstrong and Paul Gibson of Ayr, and Mick Robb of Straiton around the 40mile course at an average speed of over 26mph. The event was run over ‘sticky’ roads around central Fife, and finished with a 12 mile grind against a block head wind. Robb and Gibson put in huge turns on the ascents on the way back in, while Armstrong and Skilling ensured the pace was high throughout. The result betters Ayr Road’s previous 7th position in the event.
Ayr Roads showed strength in depth as the veterans team of Alex McAllister, Robert Kelly, Craig Gilmour and Brian Nicol (all over 40) finished 15th in the top class field.
Meet ‘The Straiton Lighthouse’
For those who care about these things, our club 10 record used to stand at 21:50, set by a young Gav McDonald. Then came along Kenny Armstrong with a 21:12 in 2011. Then arrived Michael Robb with a close 21:19. But by now Kenny has ridden a 21:03 so the race is on for the first 20min 10. Anyhow. Michael Robb, to give him his Sunday name, is a lesser known quantity, whose star does not yet burn as brightly on the back of the Ayrshire Post as Mr Armstrong’s. Give it time…
Taken from the man’s facebook page.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we bring you… Big Mick!
My p.b was & still is a surprise to me , I was aiming for a mid 21 this year at some point , so to get it at this stage is a bonus .
I’ve asked myself that, Skillys [Captain Mark] asked me that & being honest my legs felt better the 2nd night & I pushed my biggest gear for longer !! Simple
A tester ? I think I can handle that !! I’m training hard to try improve my rd race results just now
He is not called Big Mick for nothing. Nor is Big Biydie, or wee JP, or tubby Kelly, or lazy Paul…
I always cycled when I was younger – still got the scars for proof! But Biydie [Brian Boyd] got me back into it about 5 years ago and I started out doing Maybole -Kirkmichael -Straiton & back on my mountain bike while he was on his road bike, I then purchased my trek 1000 which I still use as my winter bike. My big run was over the Nic & I used to dread it… wait, I still do!
My cycling heros? After watching his solo efforts in the classics a couple of years ago it’s got to be Fabian, the guys a legend. I’m very patriotic & think Robert Millar was incredible back in the 80′s/early 90′s. tdf kom from Glasgow?!
Probably 150-200 miles weekly, last week was nearer 300 as wee done 105 on the bank holiday Monday.
We’ve had a few good nights & I’d like to see more of you attend. I’ll definitely get some nights out arranged maybe ten pin bowling or just go have a good drink!!
according to our social convener, a good laugh involves riding up 30km ascents in roaring hot sunshine.
Ayr Roads CC [Harry Fairbairn BMW] is not the best cycling club in Ayrshire for nothing , great squad of guys n girls all willing to help, good mix of ages from newest member Nathan 14 , to Skilly 50 , higgi 60 & Vic 107!!
Prob drunk singing in a karaoke somewhere.Mick’s here doesn’t like racing in the rain. Sorry Fabian, you ain’t hard enough for us.
Purple ?? It was supposed to be blue!
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