FULLARTON Wheelers Cycling Club started their week with the fourth Winter League event.

For this virtual race, the riders were treated to a testing 8.1 miles of the Argus Tour route in Capetown, South Africa, including the stiff climb of Chapmans Peak with gradients of over seven per cent.

Another great turnout of 30 Wheelers took part in the race leading to the usual energetic race night atmosphere in the Barn.

The eventual winner was Darren Kean in, a new course record time of 20:17. Second was Paul Gillon in 20:30, followed by Stephen Gillon on 21:03.

The first female rider was Natalie Hunter in 26: 00”,and second was Catherine Logan with 28:28, while third was Fiona Davidson in 29:16.

It was also great to see two youth riders taking part in the race with Joshua McFarlane, 35:27 and Martha Hillard, 37:05 putting in great efforts while being cheered on by club members.

After the few days of snow and ice, the Fullarton’s were eager to get back on their bikes and the better weather on Saturday meant that great turnout of 21 riders took part in the weekly fast training ride from Kilwinning to Largs and back.

A mechanical on the outward leg meant that the riders arrived at the Bagel Basket in Largs in two batches, but after some sustenance, the team set off en-masse for the trip back. The slight tail wind meant that speeds averaged in the mid-20s mph along the coast road.

On Sunday, a group of 10 Wheelers gathered at Irvine Cross for the weekly social run.

The wind and rain that was around meant that a shorter route was agreed. The riders started out by heading south through Loans and on towards Prestwick. At the Monkton roundabout the group headed across towards Tarbolton and then on to the A76. Here they headed north towards Kilmarnock, before cutting across to Sprockets for coffee, cake and a bountiful supply of the club’s favourite sugar rush, Haribos.

After the break, riders headed homeward to their different destinations. At the end of the ride most of the Wheelers had completed 30 to 40 miles.

Sunday also saw one of Fullarton Wheelers' rising youth stars, Zoe Watters, get the fantastic opportunity for a day of training from the British Cycling Team at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

The day included training exercises on rollers, strength conditioning and getting used to using aero bars effectively.

The final part of the session involved the team pursuit workshop, with 15 minutes on the track and 15 off in the "classroom" for four hours.

The included five principles: start, change, pacing strategy, line and finish.

The standard of coaching as expected was very high as was the pace of the training and racing.

After nine hours of top level coaching 15-year-old Zoe described it as: “The best bike day ever”.