20th June 2010 - 45th Davie Bell - the biggest and best yet!
Newly crowned Scottish Road Race Champion Evan Oliphant led home another dominant performance by the Endura Racing team, which scooped all three podium spots in the 45th edition of the David Bell Memorial Road Race. The seventy mile event, a promotion of Ayr Roads Cycling Club, Harry Fairbairn BMW of which David Bell was a founding member, was run under stunning blue summer skies and treated riders to some of the finest scenery South Ayrshire has to offer.
130 riders signed on for the event, being run as the sixth round of the Super Six Scottish Power Renewables Road Race Series. Come the first lap Endura Racing rode to protect the series lead of David Lines, and by the Ayrshire Post Hill Prime on Nic of the Balloch only the promising youngster Dougie Young of the Glasgow Wheelers could upset Endura’s dominance by snatching third behind Oliphant and teammate Callum Wilkinson. Following his attack on the same climb which so animated the 2008 edition, Wilkinson remains a firm favourite with the fans of the race. 
By the time the race reached the sprint at the end of the first lap in Straiton Oliphant had made a springboard attack to launch Davie Lines up the road. The two powered over the line with a clear minutes lead over Ciaran Docherty who took third in the Sinclair Scott sponsored sprint. Behind three groups of ten worked hard to bring the damage under control. Lines and Oliphant continued to build their advantage until the second ascent of the Nic O Balloch at 50 miles in. Here Lines faltered for the first time, and Oliphant was left to make the decision to forge ahead alone to claim victory for the team. Behind him, least year’s victor Ross Creber, together with 2008 Davie Bell champion Gary Hand put in a united team effort to distance the talented young Glasgow Wheelers duo of Dougie Young and Robert Hassan. Meanwhile Wilkinson played the job of loyal teammate to support series leader Lines.
At the end of the seventy mile event Oliphant soloed to victory in convincing style, with Creber and Hand following 1min 21secs behind, hand-in-hand in a show of team strength to take the remaining podium spots. With the three previous champions all on the same podium, it was left to Robert Hassan to represent Scotland’s emerging talent as he took the sprint for 4th ahead of Team BGlobal’s Ian Taylor.
Endura Racing’s Gary Hand explained that the teams position was always to ensure the win, and with Lines well supported and Evan in the lead it was a master class in team riding. Other notable performances included veteran rider Stuart MacGregor of Dooley’s racing team, who won a nail-biting sprint for 7th, and his junior teammate Grant Ferguson who placed 12th.
In 28th spot, local rider Mark Skilling retained the Davie Bell trophy, awarded to the first finished from the home club. Noting the increased speed and pressure compared to the previous year, Skilling made the rash promise “enough is enough!”.
In the supporting B race it was Keith Laird of Glasgow Couriers who put in another dominant performance following a tough battle up the Nic O Balloch against Scott Newman and Trevor Wilson. Despite the cross winds blasting Tailaw Summit, Laird was able to break clear and maintain nearly a minutes advantage.
Race organiser John Mason was commended by riders and colleagues for what can be described as the biggest and best David Bell Memorial of the modern era. John has tasked with organising the event for the past four years, and today’s event showcased just how much the race has developed under his tenure. Thanks were also expressed by Ayr Roads CC to Alison Lunn of Scottish Cycling and her team who turned out to offer great support and resource to the event, in addition to their hard work co-ordinating the Super Six series.
13th June 2010 - The top cyclists in Scotland come to South Ayrshire this Sunday for the 45th edition of the David Bell Memorial Road Race. Promoted by Ayr Roads Cycling Club/Harry Fairbairn BMW, the race is rightfully feared and respected in Scotland for its difficulties. Starting and finishing in Straiton, with the ascents of the Screws, The Nic O the Balloch and Tairlaw Summit coming in quick succession there is never a moment to pause for breath.
Newly crowned Scottish Champion Evan Oliphant will bring his professional Endura Racing Team to the line, along with last year's winner Ross Creber. The pair have enjoyed racing in Europe earlier this year, mixing in with the best professionals in the world. Other names to watch include Robert Hassan of Glasgow Wheelers, the sensational junior who has already added a round of the Super Six to his palmeres. Perennial strong man Paul Rennie will bring a strong presence from the Dooleys Racing Team, while Granite City and East Kilbride have both put forward strong teams to the 70 mile classic event.
Local attention will focus on Kenny Armstrong and Mark Skilling. Both Ayr riders have successfully made the jump to elite level racing this year, and will be hoping for luck on home turf. Armstrong in particular will be hoping to finally add the Davie Bell trophy to his collection after a string of good results earlier in the year.
This years Davie Bell forms part of the Super Six Scottish Road Race series, and has attracted 150 riders to the area. The supporting B race is always a popular favourite for those new to cycle racing, and provides a very competitive forum for veterans racing. The Leslie Bike Shop Racing Team will be looking for a strong performance with Brendan Roe, while Edinburgh Road Club have a full squad of 10 riders.
This year's event carries a £250 first prize courtesy of John Gemmell Coachworks. The race is named in honour of the former Ayrshire Post Journalist David E T Bell, and passes by the memorial to him at Rowntree Toll. With an excellent team of volunteers to support him, organiser John Mason is confident that this years edition will be the biggest and best yet! More information can be found on the event website at www.ayrroadscc.com/daviebell . Full report and results to follow next week.
� Fairbairn riders competed in three national championships over the weekend. Kenny Armstrong was feeling the after effects of a virus when he pulled out in the second lap of the Scottish Road Race Championships on Saturday. Only 25 riders completed the 95mile event, won by Evan Oliphant of Endura. There was further disappointment for the club as Alex McAllister crashed during the Scottish 25mile Time Trial Championships. Alex was on schedule to break the hour when he slipped on a very wet section of the course. Alex was eventually able to remount and completed the course in 62minutes. However, John Gemmell saved the weekend for the club with a terrific 3rd place in the Scottish Cross Country Mountain bike series. John has been consistent throughout the season, and the championship medal will come as excellent reward.
31st May 2010 - Ayr Roads CC / Harry Fairbairn BMW fielded a record four man team in the Dundee 2 day Stage Race. With a prologue up the Dundee Law and a sixty mile flat stage with uphill finish on the Saturday, followed by another Sunday stage racing twice up Tullybaccart, the race quickly becomes a battle of attrition. In the opening stage, a time trial up the Dundee Law, Mark Skilling set the fastest club time of 04.43, while Kenny Armstrong, Robert Kelly and Paul Gibson finished within ten seconds. In the first road stage Paul GIbson was the first casualty as he suffered an ill timed mechanical. Mark Skilling featured in an early move, but quickly returned to the bunch as the pace went up. Kenny and Mark both hung on to finish in the peloton, while the elastic snapped for Robert Kelly, with a small gap between the rider in front he frustratingly lost 40 seconds.
Day two started late to allow for a local monsoon to pass. Mark Skilling crashed out early in the race, but despite a spirited chase into a headwind could not close the gap to the bunch in front. Kenny dropped out with a mechanical, and so it was Robert Kelly who soldiered on to finish the race alone. After three stages and 130 miles of racing, Robert finished just 11 mins behind winner Peter Murdoch of East Kilbride, in 48th position.
Alex McAllister scored another podium finish for the Fairbairn riders with a fine third place in the Cumbrae vets race. Covering 5 laps of the Ferry Road, Alex was never in danger, and well supported by Keith Hood. Alex opened his sprint up with 250 metres to go, but it was too long as Steve Hazlett and Drew Agnew made a late surge for the top two places.
1. Stevie Hazlett, Glasgow Ivy CC
2. Drew Agnew, Wallacehill CC
3. Alex McAllister, Ayr Roads CC/Harry Fairbairn BMW
In the club time trial league Neil Campbell put in a great performance to clock 23.12 despite a strong wind. Full times as follows:
1. Neil Campbell 11.34 23.12
2. Alex McAllister 12.05 23.33
3. Brian Nichol 12.05 23.54
4. Ed Connon 12.51 25.02
5. JP Baxter N/A 26.03
6. Vic Possee 13.50 27.22
John Gemmell of Auchinleck rode to a fine 4th place in the 3rd round of the Scottish XC Mountain Bike Series at Aberfeldy last weekend. Racing in 23degree sunshine, John made inroads on the course to pick up additional points towards his aim of an overall podium finish.
Four club members enjoyed a mini-tour of the Borders over the bank holiday weekend. Setting off from Moffat, the group enjoyed excellent road conditions and views as the passed by the Samye Ling Tibetan Temple on route to Hawick and Jedburgh. After a well deserved overnight rest, the group climbed over to Selkirk before reaching St Mary's Lake and a super downhill, tail wind run all the way back to Moffat. The club offers a monthly touring run in a new area, details of the June run to be announced soon.
23rd May 2010 - Ayr Roads Cycling Club /. Harry Fairbairn BMW took full advantage of the excellent weather over the last week with participation in multiple events. The club promoted the first round of the Rabbie Burns Time Trial league on the 'lumpy' Pennyglen Circuit. The league is aimed at riders of the various Ayrshire and Dumfrieshire Cycling Association clubs, although it is open to all riders. Cumnock native Craig Gilmour won maxim points in the league with 2nd place, however it was another Ayrshire man who won top honours as Alan Thomson set a blistering tempo to finish more than a minute ahead. While Alan grew up riding around the roads of South Ayrshire, he currently rides for the team of Glasgow Couriers. Robert Kelly also put in a excellent performance to improve his previous best by nearly four minutes. Full times as follows:
2nd May 2010 - There was a bumper May weekend of racing for Ayr Roads CC / Harry Fairbairn BMW with some respectable results picked up on route. Kenny Armstrong put in another plucky performance to finish the classic Drummond Trophy event. Starting in Strathaven, and visiting the hill roads of East Ayrshire, the race is notorious for its challenging routes, hard fought racing, and very attractive prize list. Now in its 55th running, the racing continues to attract the top riders in the UK. Kenny clung in across the 95mile event to finish 23rd overall, with just 32 finishers recorded. Kenny will now be looking forward to his home event, the Davie Bell memorial race, with some confidence having now placed well in two Scottish monuments. This years Davie Bell will take place on the 20th June, starting from Straiton and passing by the memorial to the late Ayrshire Post journalist David E.T. Bell which stands at Rowntree Toll.
The handicapped road race, with riders split into groupings based on ability has becoming hugely popular and attracted a full field. Craig Gilmour, originally of Cumnock, delivered the best result of the Fairbairn riders with a fine 4th place, despite having started in the scratch group. Robert Kelly showed that he is benefiting from the advice of trainer Jock Lindsay with a good sprint for 6th place. As the top ten placings notch up, it can only be a matter of time before an Ayr Roads man delivers a win.1) Gordon Murdoch EKRC
2) David Crawley Border City Wh.
3) Dougilas Young Glasgow Wh.
4)Kenneth Armstrong, Ayr Roads CC / Harry Fairbairn BMW
5) Stuart McGreggor Dooley's RT
6)Calumn Gough, Onimpex Bio Racer 
Ayr Roads are pleased to announce the return of Gavin MacDonald. Gavin was one of the clubs top juniors, winning the Scottish title in 1984 while racing alongside Peter Blane and Keith McKissock. In the same year he also broke the junior record for 50miles, with a 1hr59m03seconds. Gavin went on to good success as a senior, winning the first round and overall title in the 1996 Scottish Development Series. Over 2005/06 Gavin travelled an astonishing 18,500km on a round the world trip from the Perth Scotland to Perth Australia! Gavin is currently based in the lake district, from where he leads guided adventure cycling holidays taking in locations as far afield as Kazakhstan. Having recently placed 1st European in the World Master's Pursuit Championships, Gavin's return will bolster the clubs track contingent, while it is hoped his experience will guide current club members from podium to winning places.
This Sunday the clubs 'cyclo-tourists' will head to Newton Stewart for a relaxing four hour ride taking in scenic roads and coffee stops. Riders will meet to carshare from Beresford Terrace, Ayr at 0830. All welcome.
10th April 2010 - Craig Gilmour delivered yet another top 10 finish for Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMW at the Barrmill APR on Saturday. Starting at the back, Craig worked well to reel in the early groups over the undulating 54 mile race. With a two-man break up the road Craig narrowly missed a podium spot in the bunch sprint for third, finishing 4th.
28th March 2010 - The riders of Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMW delivered a fantastic performance at the Loudoun APR, ensuring that there was no repeat of the disappointment offthe Moscow APR. Club riders were in the thick of the action from the beginning of the two lap race on the Stewarton circuit, with Kenny Armstrong making a series of hard accelerations to tire the legs of the rivals. Armstrong eventually got clear of the pack with just two other riders, and with Mark Skilling and Craig Gilmour there to neutralise any counter attack he built a good advantage going into the final half lap. As they hit the head wind the momentum was lost as the bunch clawed back up to the leaders and shortly after caught up with the earlier groups.
Having ridden in a conservative position up to this point, Alex McAllister was able to guide top sprinter Mark Skilling to the front of the bunch. Hitting the hill on the last kilometre, Skilling sat on Moscow victor Brian Loye's wheel. Unfortunately Mark opened up his sprint too late to catch Keith Laird of the Couriers, but made sure there were a good few bike lengths back to third place Gareth Barnes. Another 20 metres and Mark might well have taken his second win! Craig Gilmour followed up with a fine 9th place, ensuring another couple of top 10 places for the Harry Fairbairn riders.
Elsewhere John-Paul Baxter and Joanne Clark represented Ayr Roads in Manchester at the weekend for a session on the World Cup velodrome. Never have ridden the specialist fixed-wheel bikes before it was a steep learning curve. However it was not long before the two were circling the top of the even steeper wooden banking and making plans to return soon.
With the Tour DoonHame dominating the racing calendar over the Easter Weekend, some Ayr Roads riders will be helping marshal the event while others put in another block of long mile training.
Top 10 and selected results of ARCC from the Loudoun RC APR:
1 Keith Laird Glasgow Couriers 1:34:00
2 Mark Skilling Ayr Roads CC Same Time
3 Gareth Barnes Walkers CC ST
4 Trevor Wilson Dales RT ST
5 Brian Loye Fullarton Wheelers ST
6 Mark McNulty Ayrodynamic Tri Club ST
7 Barry Cranstoun Team Icarus ST
8 Andrew Rowat Musselburgh RCC ST
9 Craig Gilmour Ayr Roads CC ST
14 Kenneth Armstrong Ayr Roads CC ST
25 Alex McAllister Ayr Roads CC @ 3:02
29 Paul Gibson Ayr Roads CC @ 5:29
36 Keith Hood Ayr Roads @ 6:29
47 Robert Kelly Ayr Roads CC @13:01
DNF Brian Nicol Ayr Roads CC
6th March 2010 - Incompetence or Treason? An urgent enquiry has been launched into Ayr Road's dismal performance at the season opener Moscow APR. The General Secretary himself has called for those in charge of preparing the athletes to "make the brave decisions and submit their resignations".
It was a dark day for the men expected to easily quash the opposition. Inappropriate equipment led to fighters exposed to the risk of deadly punctures and opportunistic volleys from the opposite side. Meanwhile Field Mashall McAllister was harshly criticised for his audacious attempt to fight on two fronts at once. Without the necessary back up, neither the large Moscow or elite Gifford Brigade were able to operate effectively as their resources were too far stretched. This black letter day reveals a devastating fall from grace for the man who mounted white horseback to lead last years victory parade.
As the top brass try to evaluate what went wrong, apparatchiks hoping to ingratiate themselves with the leadership have put forward a series of poor excuses. The supply chain has been blamed for failing to deliver the heavy artillery in time for the enemy offensive as Craig Gilmour was left languishing in the scratch group. Meanwhile there was evidence of cowardice as soldiers abondoned the front under the pretext of searching for keys. 
Eyewitness reports suggest that recently rehabilitated officer Robert Kelly was nothing short of a sabotuer, having allowed himself to be 'cut up', before abandoning his position to retreat to the rear of the battlefield!
Fears of fresh purge of the officers are growing after a meeting of the inside echelons of the Ayr Roads Politburo. In a open and just statement, the party is very clear on its stance - failure will not be tolerated. For a long time our athletes and their assisting personnel have benefited from former Ayr Roads achievements. At some point this has to run out. Supported by and responsible to the greater Ayr Roads' proletariat, chief officers know that there can be no reward for 'good experience'. As the soldiers nurse their wounds, those in charge must now rally around the call to action to ensure that gains are made at the Nightingale Lake APR.
Under investigation: Private Kelly has been questioned over his loyalty following his retreat to the rear - his defense of supporting the advance of heavy artillery has clearly been undermined with fresh evidence of Gilmour IN FRONT!
1st March 2010- John-Paul Baxter, the current Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMW's tourist champion, secured the clubs second top ten place in as many weeks. Competing in the gruelling 50km Kielder Winter Warmer mountain bike marathon, Baxter fought against snow, ice and deep mud to finish 10th in the senior category. John-Paul is well suited to the long miles, and demonstrated his ability to read a race with consistent lap times. In fact, he completed his final lap in a faster time than his first lap! Local mountain biker Christopher McConnell finished just behind in 17th overall, after making a blistering start. 
22nd February 2010 - Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMW's season got off to a great start in the Icebreaker 2up Team Time trial held at
Ayr Roads accounted for just two of the four Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire Cycling Association teams to place within the top ten of the event; the Walkers pairing of Neil Walker and Gareth Burns led home to finish 5th, with a fantastic 26
Ayr Roads CC are pleased to announce the resigning of Mark Skilling and Robert Kelly. The pair were thought to be riding the 2010 season in the colours of the new Dales Racing Team. However, due to changing circumstances, the pair are proud to be back wearing the blue and white Harry Fairbairn jerseys of their local club. Mark was last year's race sensation, finishing 5th overall in the national Super6 road series, as well as being crowned district champion. Robert Kelly is an experienced sportive rider, who has successfully managed the transition to open racing. It is expected than Mark and Robert will start their season at the
This weekend club tourist champion John-Paul Baxter will contend the gruelling 50km mountain bike race at
7th February 2010 - ...and 'Crash' Skilling of Sales RT takes over the maillot jaune with a well-timed sprint win which saw ARCC team leader Fraser Hamilton drop back to second on GC.
Stage Result
1. Skilling (Sales RT) 40 miles in 1: 45:00
2. Torrance (ARCC) same time
3. McKissock (Sales RT) st
4. Hamilton (ARCC) st
5. Hood (ARCC) @ 15 seconds
6. McAllister (ARCC) @ 30 seconds
7. Gilmour (ARCC) @ 1:00
The stage was shaped by an early and ultimately fruitless (some might say mindless) attack by McKissock when he rather unsportingly took advantage of adverse traffic conditions to take off alone on the third ascent of Scoutts Hill. The ARCC domestiques did not panic however,and allowed him a few fleeting moments of glory before putting his gas at a peep on the Sandyford-Mossblown leg.
Further selections were mainly a case of attrition, particularly on the headwind sector from Mossblown to Tarbolton. It was noticeable how a number of the grupetto became invisible whenever the left turn at the Carrefour de Mossblown had been negotiated. Sadly this sector saw young hopeful C. Reilly come to a sticky end, and with it his hopes of securing the white jersey. On the fifth and final lap old hand and ancien maillot jaune C. Gilmour was riding on the rivet and playing l'accordeon, fortunately re-gaining the wheels of the leading group on the downhill into Tarbolton after losing a good 100 metres. Rather unfortunately that was as good as it got for Gilmour and a savage acceleration by Hamilton on Scoutts Hill saw him go out the back like a trout through an inept guddler's greasy hands.
On the descent Team Captain Hood put it in the 11 sprocket and lined out the survivors however once on the Ayr road it was all back together again and thoughts were turning to the Stage win. Hood wasn't done though, and on the rise towards Sandyford he stormed off the front. McAllister bridged across to him and endeavoured to establish a two-up with the idea of building a lead. Despite encouragement the big man's legs were gone, and it was to no avail. The group turned at Sandyford all together. A number of tentative attacks were put in by those riders who had no chance in the sprint, and these produced what looked like the winning move as Skilling, McKissock and Torrance passed under the flamme rouge with a clear gap. The podium places looked to be assured, McAllister had played his joker and Hamilton and Hood were somewhere behind him. Then Hamilton found his second wind and came past with Hood glued to his wheel. Could he retain his golden fleece?? With 500 metres to the line he had closed on the leading trio. Would he sit on them until the yellow flag?? No, straight past he went without a backward glance. Skilling saw the danger immediately and latched on to his wheel. McKissock could not or would not respond and young Torrance took third wheel at the yellow flag. The sprint was well and truly on. Taking advantage of Hamilton's lead-out, Skilling, Torrance and McKissock came past him in that order, Skilling breaking the photofinish beam a bike length ahead of Torrance.
The watching tifosi erupted....when had last such a sprint been seen at Mossblown?? Not since 1978 perhaps when R. McLean gubbed A. Thomson in the Tour of the Mining Villages.
More glory to be won next Saturday ~ 10 o'clock sharp. If you want to be an Ayrshire cycling legend, you have to be there.
27th January 2010 - The postponed club dinner and prize giving evening takes place this Friday in the New City Restaurant, Ayr. Forum for details.
10th January 2010 - Another week of freezing temperatures has not interrupted Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMW's preparation for the forthcoming season. In a coordinated effort, members have been actively involved in a variety of cross training. Mountain Biking has proved a popular option, with local rides such as the Smuggler's Trail providing a quality winter environment. Cross discipline has proved key to ensuring that peak fitness and condition can be maintained. There was a strong turnout on Sunday for 12km hike around Straiton, taking in four peaks.
Under the tutelage of the club's Belgian Director Sportive members have been put to work excercising their brains on strategic puzzles and board games. Mlle Gobert hopes that these new skills in forward and lateral thinking will allow Ayr Roads to improve their tactical nuance in the Scottish peloton and strike fear in their opponents. "You think my countrymen Boonen and Gilbert win classic monuments with their legs alone? No! They hone their strategy and nerves through Ligretto and Risk. It is true you won't find the grand tour riders doing this, but then grand tours are boring". John-Paul Baxter is just one rider to have endured the mind games bootcamp, commenting that through completing mind puzzles "I felt a strength, hard to put into words. When I ride into the clouds above Moniave I will be deadly".
Elsewhere several members even opted to copy the traditional European teams training methods, swapping two wheels for cross-country skis. Recent conditions have proved ideal for the discipline, with quality piste identified around Troon and Prestwick, as well as a tour over to Loch Braden. Ayr Roads membership includes les freres Johnson, once dubbed "teenage sensations" by no less a journal than the Ayr Advertiser. Between them they held multiple British Junior Titles and International medals, and were happy to lead colleagues on the snow.
Due to the similar physiological demands of nordic skiing and cycling it used to form a core party of winter training camps for the pros, including Eddy Merckx and Sean Kelly. For former club road champion Christopher, the event was quite symbolic. "I actually only started cycling purely as cross training for the skiing. So to be out skiing just now as part of my preparations for the spring cycling campaign is really quite exciting - but hard! Returning to skis makes cycling seem very lazy!"
With the season opener Icebreaker Time Trial just six weeks away, the club hopes to return to the roads this weekend. However, with plenty of options to train club members are not sitting idle.
20th Decembers 2009 - Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMWs latest and youngest recruit is 11 year old Alloway primary school pupil, Christopher Andreucci. A keen swimmer and runner, Christopher has also competed in and won Aquathons. Christopher is the third generation of the Thomson family actively involved with the club. His grandfather is life member and vice president Arnie Thomson, a former Club Champion and Team Record Holder of club and district championships. Arnie joined the club as a schoolboy himself in 1955.
Arnies son and Christophers Uncle Alan is also an active cyclist. Now an over-seas member residing in Bangor, Northern Ireland, Alan was introduced to the club by his father again as a school boy when he too was 11 years old in 1983. Alan won the club and district Tourist Trophies in 1985 & 1986.
Membership stemming three generations is unique in the clubs 80 year-old history. However, in the case of the Thomson family, the link to cycling goes back even further. Arnie's late father was a member of Ayr Argonauts Cycling club in the 1930s and was the 10 mile record holder in 1937, while his uncle Jim (McGill) was a member of the Affleck Wheelers of Auchinleck in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He was the Best All Rounder Cycling Champion for Ayrshire & Dumfriesshire Cycling Association in 1931 at a time when the event included a 12 hour endurance race. Arnie still has great pride for his uncle "His was a truly magnificent feat considering that he was a miner and subjected to the grim conditions underground at that time. He must have been truly committed and as my auld friend Bobby McLean would say No pain no gain.
Over the past two years the three generations have enjoyed cycling holidays into the Spanish Sierras. Always active, Arnie lives by the great Post journalist David E.T. Bell's motto "If I rest, I rust" and looks forward to getting the call Grandad do you fancy going out on the bikes tomorrow?
There was disappointment on Sunday for another Ayr Roads Family when the traditional Christmas Cracker time trial was cancelled due to snow. European Track medallist John Mason was due to take the start line with his son and club sportive champion James. This would have been the first time the two would have competed as a team, and was set to make quite a spectacle with father John being a short distance track specialist, and James a long distance endurance master. The father-son team will have to postpone their race debut until February's Icebreaker TT.
12th December 2009 - Ayr Roads Cycling Club are delighted to announce the continued sponsorship of Harry Fairbairn BMW through 2010. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the partnership, an event that was commemorated at the Davie Bell Road Race in June. The club are delighted with the continued association to the Arnold Clark brand, as it comes on the back of a tremendous season which saw podium places for Alex McAllister in the Scottish Road Race championships, and John Mason at the European Track Championships. With financial support already secured from John Gemmell Coachworks, Ayr Roads are looking forward to another impressive season.
4th December 2009 - Next year's Davie Bell Memorial Race - in its 45th Edition - is set to be the biggest yet! Ayr Roads Cycling Club / Harry Fairbairn BMW are delighted to have the event included as a round of the elite Super Six Scottish Road Race Series. The series enjoys protected status on the cycling calendar, guaranteeing the best possible fields. 160 of the top riders in Scotland and Britain will line up for the race on the 20th June 2010 to contest what is truly one of Scotland's milestone classics. The route takes in a series of punishing ascents including the Nic o the Balloch, before passing the memorial to former Post journalist David E T Bell at Rowntree Toll.
13th November 2009 = ARCC voted for a move to a slight jersey redesign and a change of supplier to Giordana. Meanwhile Arnold Thomson, Robert MacLean and Victor Possee were recognised for their support and commitment to the club, and are now honorary lifetime members of Ayr Roads. Merci, et chapeau! Full 2009 Minutes now available.
Ayr Roads Cycling Club is currently one of the most active clubs in the South West of Scotland, and promotes the annual classic David Bell Memorial Road Race, renowned as one of the toughest one day races in Scotland. Our members are active participants in Road, Track, Off Road and Multisport events. Current members and alumni include several Scottish and Regional Champions, as well as UCI World Championship and ETU European Championship medal winners! In addition to competition, club members also organise tours and leisure rides. Ayr Roads CC are delighted to announce the continued support of Harry Fairbairn BMW. The club has a long association with the company and their generous sponsorship allows the club to further develop and expand upon our successes. Ayr Roads are also supported by John Gemmell Coachworks
2009 Davie Bell Memorial Road Race, Celebrating 20years of Harry Fairbairn sponsorship
16th March - Moscow Uprising! Ayr Roads CC / Harry Fairbairn BMW fielded another record team in Saturday's Moscow APR. Exploited by GenSec McAllister, the Ayr Roads Proletariat worked hard battling against imperialist winds in their noble attempt to fight off the invading capatalist scratch group.
However, McAllister's strength lay in his numbers, and he was able to simply throw men at the campaign, all desperate to fight to protect the honour of their glorious motherland. Along the way some fell by the wayside. Chairman McKinlay bought disgrace upon himself and was swiftly expelled from the group as a saboteur of the glorious effort, sadly not before he had conspired with former Captain Gemmell.
Still McAllister gambled, pushing Mark Parlour and Martin Shields onto the front lines to fight unarmed against the wind. Eyewitness accounts reveal that McAllister had a second line of men in place, trained to scold any soldier who retreated.
With their hi-tech weaponry the capitalist scratch group drew near, and The Terror would begin. During the Great Purge, it was revealed that GenSec McAllister had kept his master stroke until the end. Field Marshall Gilmour had been sent to infiltrate enemy ranks, gathering vital intelligence.
In the final assualt Private Wilson was ordered to protect chief gunman Skilling. What followed was tragedy of the highest order, with Skilling being brought to the ground during a barrage of friendly fire. The Central Committee has been called to an extraordinary plenary session to review the actions of Private Wilson, who faces article 48 of the penal code having been denounced as a traitor to the great motherland war - a charge he denies but which could see him sent into exile in the East.
With Skilling down, Field Marshall Gilmour took to the front himself, charging forward with Keenan guarding his right flank.