FOR many cycling enthusiasts, the 1970s and 80s is the golden age of the sport. The European riders taking part in the Tour de France back then were not only at the top of their sport, but also the epitome of cool. They even had their own song, Tour de France by German electro pioneers Kraftwerk.

And it is the spirit of this time that the organisers of the Tour of Ayrshire will celebrate with a new and unique event aimed at riders of pre-1987 road bikes.

The Tour of Ayrshire, which has been given world status, will see thousands of cyclists compete in two races on closed roads around Kilmarnock in April, on Saturday 29 and 30.

The Tour Classic, a timed road race, will be run as part of the event over 50 miles on the Sunday and will allow vintage aficionados to dust-down their pre-1987 bikes and put them through their paces.

London-based Bob Johnson, a racing bike enthusiast all his life, will be travelling to Ayrshire with members of his cycling club. And he can’t wait to experience the competition.

“There are already some get-togethers for lovers of pre-1987 bikes, but the chance to race our bikes on closed roads with fantastic scenery is unique, and that’s what we’re really looking forward to,” he said. “No doubt the modern bikes will be whizzing by us, but those of us who love post-war bikes know that ours really are the best bikes around.”

According to Johnson it’s the quality of the build that makes cycles from this period so special.

“Bikes made before 1987 were mostly handmade by artisan builders," he explained. "These days racing bikes are made of carbon and spun together in big factories. Thirty or 40 years ago there were thousands of engineers making bikes by hand, and people like myself still appreciate their work.

“The other great thing about being into vintage cycles is that you can own and ride the same bike as your childhood hero for a couple of thousand pounds. With motorbikes or cars that would be a couple of hundred thousand.

“I can’t wait to see all the vintage bikes taking part in the Tour Classic. It’s going to be a great day.”

Dave Smith, of REW Reynolds, Britain’s oldest cycling shoe maker, is also looking forward to seeing the race.

“It’s great to see an event with its heart in the golden age of cycling,” he said. “There are plenty of events which offer a classic theme but none, to my knowledge, that offer the opportunity to race as we did before indexed gears and composite frames. This event will be hugely appealing to the classic sports bike community.”

The Tour of Ayrshire is a must for all Scottish cycling fans, whether they want to participate or watch from the sidelines. The 20k Chrono time trial race takes place on Saturday April 29 and follows a circular route out of Kilmarnock, round Fenwick and Waterside, through Moscow and back.

As a qualifying event for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, anyone finishing in the top 25 per cent of their age group will be able to compete at the “worlds” in Albi, France, in August 2017.

The following day, the Marmotte Ecosse Grand Fondo will see up to 5,000 riders take on a challenging 70 mile route that takes in the best of East Ayrshire’s scenery around Galston, Newmilns, Mauchline, Catrine, Auchinleck, Cumnock and Machouse Hill. The race also starts and finishes in Kilmarnock, with the top 25 per cent of competitors also invited to compete in the worlds.

Race organisers Galazo are keen to stress that the event, which they compare to a big-city marathon, caters for a wide range of participants, from elite racers and experienced competitive riders to leisure cyclists looking for a new and picturesque challenge.

For more information go to www.golazocycling.com