THIRTEEN Fullarton Wheeler recruits set off on this week’s Nighthawks evening ride from the Gailes Hotel.

The group headed out of Irvine on the Kilwinning Road, once there they turned west eventually arriving in Stewarton. Skirting the town they headed back on a fast run through the Cunninghamhead road and back to their starting point for a well-earned coffee and cake.

Saturday was the start of the West of Scotland Youth Crit series with the Prima Bella at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow.

Fullarton Wheelers were represented by three youth riders - Ben Raleigh took part in the under 8s race making a very strong appearance and he is already looking forward to his next race.

Zoe Watters and Martha Hillard, the Club’s under 16 riders, carried on with their strong form from last summer.

In blustery, cold and rainy conditions they both put in fantastic efforts achieving personal best times for a lap of the circuit and working well with other riders. On the last two laps of the race the girls showed some great teamwork as Martha tried to get Zoe onto the wheel of the eventual winner.

In the end, Zoe finished second and Martha fourth in a hard race. The club was delighted that its youths have achieved their first podium position so early in the season.

The racing continued on Sunday when the Club’s Summer League commenced with the 4 mile Prologue Time Trial, using the familiar route from the Gailes Hotel along and back down Marine Drive.

Twenty-two Club Members took part in conditions that were anything but summery. The men’s event was won by Gordon Stead in a time of 9 min 15 sec second was Sean Barron with 9’ 39” and third was Chris Blakely in 9:57. The fastest woman was Aileen Clyde in a time of 10:23 - one second ahead of Catherine Logan in 10:24 and third was Natalie Hunter in 10:54.