DURING the summer season with the longer nights the Fullarton Wheelers Cycling Club week starts with the Monday Club Night meeting at the Gailes Hotel.

Depending on the number of club members present they set off in different groups, loosely based on ability, to do the same roughly 25-mile route, with the slowest group going first and the fastest going last. In this way in provides a ride suitable for the differing abilities of each club member.

This Monday, enough riders were present to split into three groups and each of them set off from the Gailes, to the Girdle Toll roundabout and out through Perceton and on to Stewarton.

From here the route took them back across to the Lochlibo Road for the fast descent back to Irvine, where they re-traced their steps back to the Gailes for a well-earned coffee and cake.

This week’s Fullarton Sunday Run took place on a damp and bitterly cold morning. Ten riders braved the elements to gather at Irvine Cross.

Originally planning to tackle some hills and longer miles in preparation for the club holiday to Mallorca next month, the decision was quickly taken to do a shorter run. Heading north to Kilwinning, the group took the Blair Road towards Dalry.

Before reaching Dalry, the riders took the undulating back road to Jameston Moss.

On reaching a crossroads, the plan was to head left to Barrmill, before heading to Dunlop and taking a network of backroads to a cafe stop in Kilmaurs.

However six of the team decided to cut and run for home early due to the deteriorating conditions. Four hardy souls did continue with the original route and made it to the Rendezvous Cafe, where their soaking kit almost flooded the place. Anything from 25 to 45 miles for the Fullarton riders on a grim morning.