FULLARTON Wheelers Cycling Club look on target to raise more than £3000 for the Ayrshire Hospice thanks to their annual charity event which took place at the weekend.

The Fullarton 3000 was a challenge to cumulative ride 3000 miles round the island of Cumbrae in a 24-hour period.

Sixty-six riders took part, starting at noon on Saturday, and, despite the windy and showery conditions, continually ground out the laps of the island, even riding through the night, to finally achieve a total of 4070 miles by the close of the event at noon on Sunday.

The club were delighted by the level of participation.

The youngest rider, Ben Raleigh at eight years old, achieved 25 miles with two other members of the club’s youth section, Kyle Maitland ( 11)and Conal Davidson (13) both breaking the 100-mile barrier.

Many of the adult members exceeded the 100-mile mark, but the highest individual total was achieved by Chris Blakely, who came up with the idea for the fundraiser, and managed 170 miles, despite not starting until four hours into the event.

Club Secretary Derek Skinner said of the charity challenge: “This shows FWCC at its best. Club members enjoy being on our bikes, the company and camaraderie and raising funds for the Ayrshire Hospice, such a worthwhile cause."

Meanwhile, mass participation cycling had also been the order of the day for FWCC earlier in the week when the sunny weather had brought out an amazing 45 riders for the Monday evening club run from the Gailes hotel.

The club always break his ride up into groups according to preferred speed so this week four groups set off on a ride that went out through Drybridge and Dundonald before cutting across to Gatehead, Crosshouse, Cunninghamhead, Torranyard and the long fast descent back to Irvine. A very warm and pleasant 25 miles for all.

The weekend’s charity and social riding did not stop with the club also continuing its racing tradition when members took part in the Summer Sizzler 10-mile time trial organised by Velo Club Vitesse.

Aileen Clyde continued her great run of form by finishing as the third-placed woman with a time of 24’ 24” with Allan Duncan 23’ 19” and Scott McKendrick 24’ 16” also posting strong times.