2026 Lothian Flyer RR

Edinburgh RC's James Burnett gave his club cause to celebrate by winning their late season Lothian Flyer Road Race.

The peloton stayed largely together for the 7 laps of the Stobo circuit with several groups trying to escape. Under advice from an ERC coach, James precisely timed his attack on the final hill before the finish to take the win. He was followed over the line by Thomas Bruno (VC Glasgow South) and Hamish Strachan (TAAP Kalas).

On his win, James said, "Enjoyed racing one of my favourite courses and made all the better with a cracking finish timed perfectly thanks to Jarlath’s scoop.”

Other category winners were; junior - Arran Drackford (Falkirk Junior BC) , V40 - Thomas Bruno, V50 - Alasdair Watt (VC Edinburgh), woman - Erin Thomson (Wolfox CAMS Le Col RT) and 4th cat - Nick Smart.

Sheila Spence, daughter of 'The Lothian Flyer" Archie Craig, after whom the race is named, was on hand to present the eponymous trophy and other awards.

If there there had been a volunteer prize, marshal Ken Russell would have been the recipient of the “showing the rest of us up” award, for cycling down in a monsoon and still smiling. It was noted that he did wait until the sun came out before riding back to West Lothian. Ken responsed, "I didn't do anything award worthy. Honestly though, this time I got a flag, the lap counter and the last lap bell. It doesn't get much better than that."

ERC would like to thank everyone supporting, including Sheila, Comms, NEG, marshals, finish line, HQ staff and first aid, who made this event another success for the club.

VC Edinburgh's Ali Watt added this review of his day at the races.

Lothian Flyer is a race close to my heart, having been lifelong friends with Jane Wright, Archie's granddaughter and Sheila's niece.
Plus it was the first race I ever did, was back in 2005 or something like that. I think I got dropped in the neutral zone!
I felt last Sunday's edition was one of the better ones, being really tactical and attritional and overall just plain good fun.
I've done several road races this year and the course lends itself to attacking racing. Much more fun than the Ivy for instance, that only really had one hill (which isn't really a hill)! I'm glad it was only 8 times up Dreva; don't think I had another in the legs!
Thankfully this year the bunch were quite tentative given the horrendous conditions for the first two or three laps. I think perhaps this made it harder for any breaks to get away, as the bunch were a bit fresher and more able to respond. I'll have to say, I nearly sat up on the first lap with the monsoon like conditions. I was virtually unable to see with the constant stream of water and muck into my eyes, and wearing contact lenses it's a nightmare; eyes filling with grit.

I'm glad I didn't tho 'cos the sun came out on lap 4/5!
So any attacks quickly got shut down and nothing seemed to be sticking, or the folk that did get away didn't want to work together. Some laps the climb was much harder than others, when someone was attacking (usually Greig Brown or Hamish Strachan), other times it was a bit easier.
Hence it was all together the last time up Dreva and I got myself into a good position for the final section, hugging the right side of the road, concentrating on letting no-one up outside me in the gutter. I've done this race enough times to know when to open up and I know I can beat most folk up the last bend where it tops out just before the finish; most folk launch too early and then tie up(hence you need to be in space or your end up getting boxed in and lose momentum).

The lad Arran from Falkirk had gone early after the junction and Hamish and James had got across to him, but we nearly caught them just before the road split. I opened up and gave it everything I had left, passing a few and was first in main bunch with 6 off the front... So 7th.
Was pretty happy with that, I just wish I was 10 years younger and then I would have the nerve to go earlier and potentially be threatening the podium. But you have to know your own limitations at my age!
So best of the rest and I'm happy with that.
It's the only race I can remember where riders actually still fall off their bikes at the end and lie in a heap on the ground!

Thanks to all at ERC for organising and helping as ever, and I hope this isn't the end for the Flyer.

Race podium

Category winners

Full results