AYR Roads/Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club staged their annual hill climb championship last Sunday when 13 club members took on the Carwinshoch climb over Brown Carrick Hill. Compared to last year, conditions were good. A helpful breeze coming of the sea assisted riders in the lower parts of the climb and a newly laid road surface as far as Carwinshoch cottage was an added improvement from last year. Although the course is only half mile in length, with an average grade of 12%, the double hairpins mid way are nearer 20%. Coupled with a poor road surface, this part of the course is difficult to sustain good traction.

The hill climb was new for some members but all were looking forward to it.

The timekeepers got the seeding spot on, with Ed Clifton winner over the past two years, last man off. Nonetheless, in the club's Ballycoach climb earlier in the season, Clifton took third place against his team mates, Calum MacDonald and Graham McLeod who finished second and third respectively. Spectators expected a good tussle between the three and were not disappointed.

Charlotte Robb, in her first ever hill climb and suffering from a cold was first over the line with an impressive time of 5 minutes 59 seconds. Next was young Ollie Kelly the club's 12-year old 'pocket rocket', who was hoping to get under five minutes to beat his best time for the course.

He did, with a four minute 13-second ride and in doing so caught and passed his father Robert.

It was down to the last three seeded riders, with Graham McLeod coming in first with a sub four minute ride in 3:55. Second last man was Calum MacDonald who came in with a 3:25. Ed Clifton last man, came round the last hairpin and seemed to be slowing down. He was; but Ed had gone for a very fast lower section time and came in with a stunning time of 3 minutes 13 seconds for the course. It was his fastest time over the past three years and earned him the Club Hill Climb Championship for 2018.

Times for the event were:

Ed Clifton 3:13

Calum MacDonald 3:25

Graham McLeod 3:55

Scott Knox 4:00

Toni McIntosh 4:01 (1st Lady)

Ollie Kelly 4:13 (youth)

Ross Milvenan 4:19

Bobby McGhee 4:23

Gordon Fields 5:21

Robert Kelly 5:30

Duncan McArthur 5:42

Derek Bathgate 5:43

Charlotte Robb 5:59

Following the hill climb, the club headed over Carrick Hill en route for a well earned tea stop at Straiton, before heading homewards via Dalrymple and Loch Martnaham.

The hill climb is the last of the club's events for 2018 and will determine the standings of the League Championship, with the final club championships placings still to be finalised.Th

This weekend seven club members will be competing along with the best time trialists Scotland has to offer in the Tour de Trossachs. This classic 28 mile Hilly Time Trial is a favourite end of season event and will be the first time for many years that the Roads Club has had such a good representation.

Thereafter, club members are hoping to compete in a few Hill Climbs and in the numerous cyclo cross events that follow. Others will enjoy the autumn and winter club runs mixing it with their indoor training sessions which will soon be publicised.