About
The home for recreational riders in South Ayrshire
Our key aims are to provide cycling opportunities in Ayrshire and to encourage other cyclists to visit Ayrshire. Ayr Burners Cycling is the ideal home for recreational riders looking to enjoy their cycling without the pressure of racing.
We welcome cyclists of all ages and are committed to developing youth cycling. Our focuses include Sportives, Cyclocross, and adventures !!!
Ayr Burners Cycling also co-ordinates the development and promotion of the Ayrshire Alps Cycle Park.
Get involved to meet local cyclists and share your experiences!
Ayr Burners is sponsored by QTS Group – an association we are hugely proud of.
We have clearly stated aims and align with bodies that can support us achieve these. Ayr Burners is an affiliated group with CyclingUK, the National Cycling Charity, Cycling Time Trials (CTT) and Scottish Cycling, the governing body for Cycle Sport. Our ride leaders are trained through Cycling Scotland.
Open to members aged 13 and up, the club is the ideal place for cyclists of all ages to develop their skills. Riders younger than 13 may join in providing they are always accompanied by a responsible parent/guardian.
Ayr Burners Cycling’s Constitution was signed in December 2014.
History
The ‘Ayr Burners’ name was introduced in January 2013 by the youth cycling group that formed in October 2012 out of the 6 week Road School initiative led by Chris Johnson, alongside members of Ayr Roads Cycling Club.’
The participants were all keen that their group had its own unique identity, and the name ‘Ayr Burners’ was chosen by the youngsters partly to reflect their heritage (they meet at the Burns Centre in Alloway), partly to honour the bard Robert, but mostly because it sounded good.
The group affiliated with CTC (now CyclingUK), while Ayr Roads CC continued to provide support as the membership bank account. ACS Prestwick Ltd provided members with custom printed Merida jerseys and discounted equipment
By summer 2014 many of our original participants were studying for exams while others had developed their skills and moved onto more successful clubs. Meanwhile, there was a recognised demand for the organised rides and skills sessions by a much wider audience.
The decision was taken in winter 2014 to expand the scope of the Burners and set up as an independent organisation without relying on other clubs for services.
Weekly Rides
Ayr Burners members meet every Saturday morning at 0930 for a weekly road ride. On the first Saturday of each month, the meeting point is Monkton Cross. All other Saturdays, we meet at the Burns Museum, Murdoch’s Lone, Alloway. Duration is typically 2-3hrs at a social conversational pace. The route changes depending on weather and wind conditions, and typically finishes with a visit to a cafe on our return.
Similarly, a group meets at the Burns Museum at 0930 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Typically this provides an opportunity to go round either the Pennyglen or Martnaham loops and squeeze in a coffee / scone and still get back in time to enjoy the rest of the day.
Member-led activities
Individual members frequently post ride suggestions and activities on our Facebook Forum – these are publicly viewable and company is always welcome ! Please check details for ride type and duration. We also have a WhatsApp group for arranging ad-hoc rides, so if you’re not included in that but would like to be, let us know.
Annual Series
We normally run an annual league of events covering a variety of disciplines, and biased towards participation rather than speed or strength. As for previous years, the calendar for 2024 will comprise of three types of challenge –
- The Strava Series events which involve a social-paced group ride featuring optional timed “segments” throughout. The group always stops to regroup at the end of each timed section !!!
- July Distance Challenge (who can ride furthest during July)
- August Climbing Challenge (who can climb the highest during August)
Do feel free to join us for a couple of rides as a guest !!!
admin February 7, 2015 - 3:29 pm
Hi John,
We’d gladly welcome your son to our youth-friendly sessions, but our insurance requires U13s to be accompanied by an adult.
Andrea August 11, 2016 - 8:05 pm
Hi,
My (almost) 3 year old loves his balance bike. Do you have any events coming up that he could join in with or is that something that you only do occasionally?
admin August 16, 2016 - 11:01 am
Hi Andrea, we’re hoping to set up a session in September. Due to the upcoming Sportive event at the end of the month we’ve limited time this month. We’ll post all events via our Facebook page if you want to keep an eye out
Barry George September 5, 2016 - 9:05 am
Hi I road the Ayrshire alps on the 28th and I am trying to find the photos taken on the day there there were some taken on Pinwherry.
Thankyou to all the organizers and marshal’s I had a great day ( Barry George, Verdets france. ) but I do think you need lots of fresh tarmac. lol. My number was 110 or 101 can remember. replaced someone called Trevor !
admin September 6, 2016 - 8:36 pm
Hi Barry -ah yes, our roads could rival Paris Roubaix! Try here for pics: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.pugh.71/media_set?set=a.1090240367718608.1073741833.100001979650262
Rhona Quarm September 20, 2018 - 7:19 am
Hi do you have a road group for not so fit but want to get it back!!!
I live in sunny Maybole but looking to join a club again. I have a rare Saturday off so was wondering if you were going out Saturday or Sunday.
John Lloyd August 11, 2019 - 1:07 pm
Ayr Go festival September 7th
Hi guys i am surprised we have not spoken to each other regarding this ?
We have a cycle ride on closed roads before the 10k / half marathon.
Would you be interested in promoting this to your members or doing some marshalling. In the future maybe this is something that you can have some input on? We have an duathlon / aquathlon / Tri planned and some possible town centre criterium events coming also next year as part of the wider project we want to bring to Ayr
Donald Laurie August 18, 2019 - 8:39 pm
Hi John,
Sorry for the delay in replying – I’ve only just noticed your post. I’ll share this with the guys on the committee now to see what we can do. It sounds like the sort of thing we’d normally like to get involved with, but the Tour of Britain is going through Ayrshire on Saturday 7th Sept, so many of the club will be out as a group for that, I think.
Either way, we’ll be back in touch asap.
Regards,
Donald
Donald Laurie March 8, 2020 - 11:20 pm
Hi Diana,
Sorry for the delay in replying to your enquiry – I had some access issues which have just been resolved.
We have a variety of different rides scheduled, both for road bikes and mountain bikes (although to be honest there are probably more road than MTB rides). The next off-road ride is likely to be in a week or two, so it’s probably worth keeping an eye on our Facebook page where the details will be posted first. Having said that, if you need any further info, please let me know – I’ll be keeping a close eye on this from now on !!!
I hope that helps, and look forward to seeing you at some point soon.
Thanks,
Donald
Carol-Anne Lamont, Ayrshire Cancer Support Fundraising Lead August 22, 2022 - 3:15 pm
Hi
I was hoping you would be able to support ACS by way of promoting our forthcoming annual cycle challenge.
Would you be kind enough to forward onto me an email address I could send the information to and also make your members aware of the Ayrshire Cancer Support Ayrshire to Beatson Cycle Challenge.
Your support would be greatly appreciated,
Carol-Anne
Donald Laurie September 4, 2022 - 8:16 pm
Hi Carol-Anne,
Sorry for the delay in replying – I’ve been away.
If you could send the info to johnpaulbaxter@yahoo.co.uk, I’ll catch up with him and we’ll see what we can do.
Regards,
Donald
kenny. May 3, 2024 - 11:11 am
Hi.
Are you guys meeting for a ride this Sunday 5th May from Burns center.
Kenny..