THE Fullarton Wheelers Cyclo Cross-ers have been in action again.

Stalwarts Catherine Logan and Scott McKendrick flew the Fullarton Wheelers Cycling Club flag at last weekend’s Lochore Cyclocross Race in Fife.

The hotly-contested women’s race took place in bone chilling four degree temperatures.

Catherine put in a great ride, coming home in the top 33, ahead of some key rivals.

Even better, she was 11th-placed Vet Female, and first female rider in the Ayrshire clubs competition.

Meanwhile, in the Vet 40 race, Scott McKendrick realised too late that his race shirt was still in the ironing pile back at home so instead donned his favourite wool jersey and, given the conditions, this was a good call. Scott arrived with two bikes, one of them a single speed machine, meaning there was good chance he would actually finish the race... and finish it he did!

In a manoeuvre that 1970’s Formula 1 star James Hunt would have recognised, McKendrick moved through the field early with maximum aggression.

After seven minutes, however, he started to tire and with every pedal stroke moved progressively (some might say ‘inevitably’) back down the pack.

A final position of 96th out of 119th was enough on the day for thrid in the Ayrshire Clubs competition…out of five riders. Scott was nevertheless delighted with the result.

The Winter League events are coming thick and fast, courtesy of the slick organisation of club members Jim Seenan and Stephen Cassidy.

This week it was Event Three, which took place over a five mile virtual road course in the picturesque Dordogne region of France.

Stocky powerhouse John Todd was the overall winner. The fastest female was Catherine Logan. To say this year’s winter league is hotly contested is an understatement.

For the third time in a row Derek Skinner, the FWCC Club Chairman, was beaten into second place by just one second.

His consistency, though, has given him the top spot in the overall rankings after three races and now everyone wants to beat him. Catherine’s excellent result also puts her in joint lead with Beth Macrae. The competition couldn’t be closer. Event Four is scheduled for next Monday, December 4.

Fullarton Wheelers Youth Section members attended a cycling techniques and skills session in Irvine on Sunday afternoon. Scottish Cycling Coach Martha Hillard took the 10 youngsters, aged from 9 to 14, through a range of exercises designed to help them develop their bike handling skills. The session specifically concentrated on their pedalling and braking technique and finished off with some fun events including a 'slow' race, to see who could cover a set distance most slowly while not putting their feet down.

Eleven riders turned up for the regular Sunday club run, meeting as ever outside Irvine’s Portal at 9.30am. The weather conditions were less than optimum, with a bitterly cold wind and an early soaking courtesy of a freezing rain shower. Despite the mudguard police being in attendance, the wet salt covered roads turned all the clean bikes, and riders, into something reminiscent of the legendary Paris Roubaix cycle race. It was grim. Heading South to Loans, then onwards past HMS Gannet towards Tarbolton, the wind was biting and the roads filthy.

The pace was steady though, and the group stayed together as it wound its way through the country lanes, eventually popping out near Kilmarnock. Youth rider and Grange Academy Head Boy Cameron Raeside joined the group for his first Sunday run.

He is using cycling as part of his Physical Education exams, and looking across the peleton at his grimacing mud encrusted face the learning experience was clearly evident! Coffee and bacon rolls were this week taken in DeWaldens Garden Centre next to the excellent Sprockets bike shop. Efforts were made to entice rider Joseph Boyle to buy some thermal legwear instead of shorts, but to no avail. Distances covered ranged from 36 to 50 miles - approximately 2000 feet of climbing: eight bacon rolls, and one Malteser cheesecake.