With the days drawing ever shorter, the longest Cycle Ayrshire club ride on offer for November is 40 miles.
This allows us to get the ride finished by approx. 4pm, even at a gentle pace, and hopefully limit the need to use lights.
That said, you should be carrying lights on any of this month's rides as, on any given day, cloud cover can make it seem like night!
As mentioned last month, existing Ride Leaders should already have received an invitation to come along and join us for a planning meeting at Stair Community Centre, KA5 5HT on Saturday 19th November between 12.30 – 2.30.
This to start work on next year's ride programme.
We do need additional Ride Leaders to ensure we can organise rides in all three Ayrshire counties.
North Ayrshire is particularly short of Ride Leaders at this time and, as a result, very few rides have started in that area this year.
Ride Leaders are the blood of the club.
Without them, no ride programme!
So, if you would like to be a Ride Leader but do not know what is involved, come along and have a chat with us.
We can explain what is required and buddy you up with an experienced Ride Leader to give you training in the art of being a Leader.
If you can't make the meeting but are interested in being a Ride Leader, use this link to contact us expressing your interest and someone will get in touch with you.
Please let us know if you are coming to the meeting by emailing contact@cycleayrshire.co.uk.
If you have any route(s) you would like to share, bring it/them to the meeting.
Saturday November 5th. - 15 miles.
Leader Pat describes this outing as a "Ladies Meander".
Heading south away from the hills to Stair, Springs and Trabboch.
Lunch stop at Gemmels Garden Centre.
Registration closes Thursday 3rd. November @ 18.00
Sunday November 6th. - 20 miles.
It's Clive S. to the fore as he navigates around a loop taking in Monkton, Adamton, passing by Coodham and Kilmarnock.
Return via Corraith and Troon.
Non-stop 20 format so no food stops during the ride.
Expect to take approx. 2 hours for the ride so, you should be able to maintain a 10mph average speed.
There is normally the option to go for a coffee/snack after the ride somewhere nearby to the meeting point.
Or just head home, smug in the knowledge you have done your exercise for the day...
Registration closes Friday 4th. November @ 18.00
Sunday November 13th. - 25 miles.
Leader Pat is busy this month with her second ride from Mauchline.
This time it's categorised as an Easy Going ride.
Easy describes the pace - not necessarily the route profile...
Strangely, she hasn't given this route a name!
Nevertheless, she describes it as a relatively easy route.
Striking out from Mauchline to Galston, then on to the Ayrshire Food Hub at Crossroads for a coffee/breakfast stop.
From there, you're off to Craigie and back to Mauchline.
The route mainly uses B-roads, country roads and cycle paths.
Registration closes Friday 11th. November @ 18.00
Sunday November 20th. - Your choice of miles.
Another of our popular DIY rides.
No need to register for these events.
They are basically a Do-It-Yourself ride with a social element.
Start from wherever you like and cycle to a designated cafe/restaurant/garden centre/whatever.
Arrive around the designated time and meet up with other local Cycling UK members.
Put the world to rights over a coffee then head for home - perhaps with company for some of the way.
Nominated Meeting Point this time around is Boswells Coach House near Auchinleck.
Get there any time between 11.00am and midday to meet up with like minded cyclists.
Sunday November 27th. - 40 miles.
Our last long ride of the year.
Drew K. navigates his way up the coast from Portencross to Largs before cutting inland to climb to Loch Thom and the lunch stop at the Ardgowan Fishery Cafe.
After lunch, drop down into Inverkip before working our way back down the coast to Largs, keeping off the main coast road as much as possible.
This involves some steep short climbs and descents up and down the old sea cliff.
Just treat them as winter warmers...
Also, there is a section approx. 1 mile in length which is on mettled but un-surfaced farm track.
Therefore, we suggest minimum 28mm tyres with a tread (i.e. touring tyres).
Road race tyres not really suited to this ride.
Registration closes Friday November 25th. @ 18.00
