Things heating up for Burners

Despite the freezing conditions things are heating up on the Ayr Burners Cycling QTS diary, with the start of group challenges, well-attended Saturday rides, the upcoming Ayrshire Cycle Jumble and even a quiz night.

Last Thursday night saw 12 riders battle it out at the Prestwick Oval for the first challenge of the year, the half hour record, with James Edwards clocking an impressive 37 laps to overtake Scott Knox’s target of 36.

Harry McGarvie was top youth on 35 laps, while Jo Baxter came out top female ahead of Cheryl Findlay.

Saturday saw 20 Burners meet at the Burns Centre in Alloway for the regular easy paced “informal”. Legs were warmed up on the lower slopes of Glenalla before “route master” Duncan McArthur checked who was up for the Wallacetown climb and the promise of spectacular views at the top.

The group, including four youths who beat all the adults to the top, weren’t disappointed cresting the summit of the most northerly of the Ayrshire Alps in glorious sunshine to see a snow-capped Arran and Ailsa Craig glistening in the distance.

Then it was back to the Burns Centre for well-earned bowls of soup, cakes and coffee.

Next up on the busy Burners schedule is the quiz night at the Meridian on Thursday night. Quiz co-ordinated Jo Baxter would like names in advance with details on the website (below).

Saturday sees the Burners - in conjunction with the Ayr Active Travel Hub - host the second edition of the highly popular Ayrshire Cycle Jumble in Prestwick Community Centre, Caelaverock Road between 1-4pm.

Join us for our three hour bike jumble for local cyclists to sell, buy and swap your surplus kit, components, clothing etc. Entry is free, with a £3 charge towards the hall hire for those that want to sell. Throughout the afternoon we will also run some maintenance workshops teaching basics like puncture repair, adjusting cables and mending chains.

Full details of all of the events listed above can be found at ayrburners.org