MONDAY evening saw the usual winter ‘Nighthawks’ ride setting out from the Gailes hotel at 7p.m.

This week, eight Wheelers started the ride by heading north looping round via the Magnum before cutting across to join the Kilwinning Road. Once in Kilwinning they turned right, eventually cutting across the Lochlibo Road and making their way into Stewarton.

Here they turned back towards Irvine and, benefitting from a healthy tailwind, made very rapid progress back to their starting point. In all a round trip of approximately 25 miles on a cold evening.

On Sunday, Fullarton Wheelers hosted the traditional racing season opener the two-up “Icebreaker” time trial.

In unusually mild conditions 60 two rider teams had entered the 10-mile challenge on the normal course starting from Eglinton Park down the A78 to the Papermill roundabout and back.

The overall event was won by David Griffiths and John Archibald riding for Pro Vision in 19’ 49”- a fantastic time for so early in the season. Second was Mark Skilling and Michael Robb, of Carrick CC, in 21’ 02” and third was the Fullarton Wheelers pairing of Darren Kean and Gordon Stead in 21’ 07”. In the Vets category the first team home were Ian Anderson and David Baird of Walkers CC in 22’ 08” followed by Gordon Graham and Chris Blakey of Fullarton Wheelers CC in 22’ 50”.

The Women’s event was won by Toni McIntosh and Janet Erskine, of Ayr Roads CC, in 24’ 48”, followed by Lorna Sloan and Catherine Logan of Fullarton Wheelers CC in 26’ 17”. Fullarton Wheelers Cycling Club would like to thank the Commissaire, Time Keepers, Marshalls, club volunteers and all the helpers and riders for a safe and successful event and a great start to the season.