A NATIONAL call-up was earned by Fullarton Wheelers Cycling Club ace Zoe Watters.

She raced for Scotland in a top International Track Competition.

Zoe was invited to join one of the GB woman’s pursuit teams in the KWNU Next Generation International Track competition held at the Omnisport Arena in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands.

Speaking long distance to her father she described the atmosphere as amazing. Racing for twelve laps of the track Zoe’s team managed to qualify for the finals where they were up against France, who had been a second quicker than them in the heats, in a battle for third place.

Zoe said she was almost crying on the start line when the commentator said "..and representing GB, Zoe Watters...". The team blasted to a win, turning things around and beating the French team by a full second. FWCC Club Captain Mikey Allen recalled that “it seems like just the other day we were taking her to the local Marine Drive circuit in Irvine for her first youth outing. She was a natural straight away: go Zoe!”

ALL meteorological indications for Sunday were poor, so the regular club run was postponed. Except, that is, for six hardy souls who braved the sunshine and mild temperatures for a 50-mile circuit of the North Ayrshire lanes.

The wind was incredibly strong and presented a stiff challenge as it buffeted the riders journeying inland towards Barmill. Road Captain Mikey Allen, normally in charge of mudguard policing operations, was conspicuous by being mudguard-less. Bravely, however, he opted to spare following riders from spray by sheltering at the back of the bunch for the duration, along with club run star Gary Arneil.

Rider Joe Boyle, in regulation shorts, was in possession of a bike sporting the latest in disc brake technology. The merest hint of pressure on the brake levers led not just to strong and assured braking, but a deafening squeak. The front brake squeaked at a higher tone than the rear, meaning a tolerable rendition of the Dukes of Hazard Dixie horn could be brought forth at every junction. By the time the Kilmaurs café stop arrived the full La Cucaracha had been perfected. Finishing the hilly and windy route required, of course, a trip to the top of Dundonald Hill. Good steady, social, winter training miles; 2000 feet of climbing and no punctures.