THE Baltic conditions which hit the UK last week wrought havoc in the Central belt of Scotland, with a number of cycling events cancelled.

The Don Smith Memorial Sportive was the worst affected. Sponsored by the Johnstone Wheelers, this Sportive is held in high regard by Cycling Clubs throughout Scotland and takes in the Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire hill country.

Likewise the local Mad March Time Trial had to be cancelled as well.

A number of Ayr Roads/Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club members had entered both.

Undeterred, and despite the severe weather conditions with freezing temperatures and a biting North Easterly wind, two club runs were promoted. The midweek brigade took in a north easterly loop right into the teeth of the wind and visited Galston, Fenwick and Kilmaurs with a good tail wind home and 50 miles recorded.

On Sunday a big group left Ayr and headed to southern byways. The club rode out to Straiton, before cutting back over to Dailly and the Girvan Valley, with their destination Girvan and the coast road home via Maidens and Dunure. Without the benefit of a tail wind home, it was a hard slog for some into the north easterly and yet a good distance of 60-plus miles.

Monday evenings and courtesy of the Prestwick Sailing Club, indoor turbo training sessions remain very popular with club members. Anyone wishing to come along please note that the sessions start at 6.45pm prompt and are followed with a good 'craic' and home baking.

Ayr Roads Club at Sunday's Assembly Point