SEVEN hardy members of Fullarton Wheelers Cycling Club congregated at Irvine Cross on Sunday morning determined that the weather forecast would be wrong and a good mornings cycling lay ahead of them.

The group decided that South was best, so into the wind they headed. Passing Gailes and along Auchengate and then through loans. The original plan was to head through Monkton, Mossblown and onto Tarbolton, however as the group passed HMS Gannet at 8mph they decided that they would just turn left at the bottom of the hill on the A719 and skip the latter two villages. The rolling road took the bunch past Craigie and down to Crossroads.

A left turn and a tailwind up past HMP had the group in single file enjoying some higher speeds. After going through Kilmarnock and the cyclists descended into Dewaldens Garden Centre for a café stop.

Re-fuelled and hiding from the wind and rain, a quick return home was required with the bunch splitting before Old Rome Farm and then Gatehead.

All-in-all it was around 35 miles for most, an average of 15mph, apart from Steve Donaldson who wanted to get winter miles in and cycled to and from Fairlie. A fantastic 60 miles in those conditions.

Monday evenings see the return of the Winter League, a five- mile VR TT along the Costa Almeria.

Competition should be as intense as ever and standards are expected to be high.