THE bad weather at the start of the week meant that most of Fullarton Wheelers recruits were restricted to training in the dry conditions of the Barn where some tough sessions on the turbo trainers were "enjoyed" by quite a few members on Monday night.

Quite a few members have been taking advantage of cheaper flights to sunnier places and the yellow Fullarton kit has been a bit of a regular on the roads of Spain this winter.

One ride worthy of note this week was by one of the club's up and coming youth riders, 15-year old Martha Hillard. On a trip to Tenerife she successfully completed the climb of the island's volcano Mount Teide.

The climb is recognised as Europe's longest at over 40 km and rises from sea level to over 7000 feet. Martha completed the ride, on a glorious day, in just under three and a half hours of cycling time.

Back in the UK, nine wheelers gathered at Irvine Cross for this week's Sunday run. With a bitterly cold easterly wind the riders decided to chart a course inland, hoping for a tailwind home to the coast afterwards.

Heading out of Kilwinning via Benslie, the original plan was to cut through to Kilmaurs and head in the general direction of Galston. However on the Cunninghamhead-Kilmaurs road the heavens opened and the group were hit by a barrage of hail and icy rain.

The two leading riders had a quick discussion, decided bailing for an early breakfast was the best idea and put it to a vote. With an early cafe stop the unanimous verdict, the hardy band cut quickly up to Knockentiber, Crosshouse and Gatehead before taking the Old Rome Road and making a beeline for DeWaldens garden centre on the outskirts of Kilmarnock.

After some very welcome hot food and drinks the team took a browse in the adjoining Sprocket's Cycles.

With breakfast and window shopping done, the group split with some taking advantage of a massive tailwind up and over Dundonald Hill. Around 25 to 30 miles for most - more than enough given the conditions.