In memory of the late Sam Robinson, the Sam Robinson Trophy has been created for open annual competition in the Memorial Road Race. Except for the Covid years, 2020 & 2021, the race has been run continuously since 1975.
2023
The 47th Edition of the race took place on Saturday, 29th July. Start 09:30am, Balfron High School, G63 0PW.
2022
The 46th Edition of the race took place on Saturday, 30th July. Start 10:30am, Balfron High School, G63 0PW. The event was run in conjunction with the Men’s Scottish National Road Race Championship. Results as follows:
The Ladies National Road Race Championship was promoted by the Club on the following day. Results as follows:
2019
The 45th Edition of the race took place on Sunday, 7th July. Start 10:30am, Balfron High School, G63 0PW.
Photograph by Cycle Photography Scotland
2018
The 44th Edition of the race took place on Sunday, 8th July. Start 10:30am, Balfron High School, G63 0PW.
Words by Stuart Rae and photographs by Cycle Photography Scotland
The 44th Edition of The Sam Robinson Memorial Road Race saw a field of sixty one riders tackle one of the toughest – if not the toughest – routes that this classic race has ever followed in its long history. A total distance of 70 miles taking in some formidable climbs, The Dukes Pass, The Braes O’ Greenock, and the Crow Road. The race rolled out in warm, slightly overcast conditions with just enough of a breeze to keep the riders from overheating. That said, the breeze did stiffen up at times during the race to become an unwelcome headwind.
The field rose to the challenge with one brave rider ‘going for it from the gun’. A twelve second gap was established by the time the race reached Buchlyvie and extended to 26 seconds at Arnprior. Although the field was starting to string out, the lone breakaway rider was brought back to the fold by the time the race reached the Port of Menteith.
Mechanicals, punctures, and riders being dropped punctuated the early stages of the race but another break came 25 minutes into the proceedings when Martin Lonie (Nuun-Sigma Sports London) and Greg O’Malley (Glasgow Couriers) made a move and increased a 14 second gap to 20 seconds as the race approached the first of the three major climbs – The Dukes Pass.
A third rider joined the breakaway establishing a gap of 1:03 as the race reached the turn at Loch Katrine but the breakaway reverted to a two man break when Martin Lonie dropped back to the chasing group. The gap increased to 1:30 but came back down to a minute with 23 miles ridden. A further two riders came off the front of the chasing bunch but couldn’t quite bridge the gap to the two man breakaway and had to be content with a 15 second gap as the field approached the Invertrossachs Road.
The riders gratefully received bidons as the race made its way up the Braes O’ Greenock, and at the top of the Braes the format had become two riders being chased by a group of four with a 48 second gap back to the bunch. At the right hand turn at the bottom of the braes the format remained the same, two riders being chased by a group of four, but the gap back to the main field had increased to 58 seconds. The group of four riders eventually caught the two riders at the Port of Menteith.
This group of six consisted of Ross Clark, Alastair McNicol, Ben Norris, (all Dooley’s Cycles), Philip Trodden (The Racers),Thomas Gelati (Bioracer Project GO), and Andrew Bruce (Leslie Bike Shop/ Biker’s Boutique) The group set about their task of working together to consolidate their advantage, edging it up to 61 seconds and stretching it to 2:36 by the time they went through the Rob Roy Roundabout and further still to 3:00 as they approached Flanders Moss.
Whether the main bunch realised it themselves or heard a shout from a spectator regarding the increasing time gap there was a reaction and the deficit was reduced to 1:54 at the Blane Smiddy Roundabout. The bunch continued to work to reduce the leeway getting it down to 1:38 by the turn into Campsie Glen at the Kirkhouse, and down to 1:20 by the bottom of the Crow Road, The riders had now covered 56 miles.
Although the group of 6 riders had stayed away since the Port of Menteith they became aware of a group of five riders looking to bridge the gap to them as the field started the ascent of the final big climb of the day. This prompted Phil Trodden to make his move with Ross Clark quick to react to it, both riders getting away and quickly building a gap of 25 seconds.
Both riders worked together to make the most of the descent of the Crow road into Fintry and on to the finish in Boquhan The move had been a decisive one with the chasers unable to catch them so allowing Clark and Trodden to decide the outcome of the race with the Dooley’s Rider edging it in an exciting sprint finish.
David Fickling, Glasgow Nightingale Race Secretary, would like to thank all the entrants for the spirit and commitment shown in such a demanding race. He would also like to thank the Commissaires, NEG Riders, and all the ‘Gale members for their efforts on the course and at Race H.Q.
2017
The 43rd edition of the race was organised on July 1st, 2017, by David and Andrew Fickling and incorporated the traditional climbs, for this event, of the Duke’s Pass and the Braes of Greenock. For the first time in the race’s history the run into the finish included an ascent of the Crow Road. Overall distance was 75 miles with 4633 feet of climbing.
Results:
| Pos’n: | Name: | Club: | Race No.: |
| 1. | Ryan Fenwick | Dooleys Cycles RT | 24 |
| 2. | Gary Hand | Unattached | 35 |
| 3. | Gavin Dempster | Moray Firth CC | 19 |
| 4. | Neil Scott | Deeside Thistle | 72 |
| 5. | Lewis Oliphant | Velo Club Edinburgh | 66 |
| 6. | Malcolm Bain | Granite City RT | 6 |
| 7. | Charles Fletcher | Cairngorm CC | 26 |
| 8. | Euan Sutherland | GCT | 74 |
| 9. | Tim Mackley | Deeside Thistle | 49 |
| 10. | Kenny Riddle | Moray Firth CC | 70 |
| 11. | David Dalziel | Glasgow Nightingale CC | 16 |
| 12. | Ian McDermott | Glasgow Nightingale CC | 57 |
| 13. | Greig Brown | Pro Vision | 9 |
| 14. | Walter Hamilton | Velo Club Edinburgh | 34 |
| 15. | Cedric Sachet | Johnstone Wheelers | 80 |
| 16. | Struan Pryde | HMT w/JLT Condor | 81 |
| 17. | Danny Hedley | RT23 | 37 |
| 18. | Alan Dean | ERC | 17 |
| 19. | Lewis Gray | ERC | 31 |
| 20. | Scott Newman | Glasgow Couriers | 64 |
| 21. | Dave Reed | Granite City RT | 69 |
| 22. | Jamie Kennedy | GTR | 45 |
| 23. | Sean Delaney | Deeside Thistle | 18 |
| 24. | Daniel Cain | Billy Bilsland | 12 |
| 25. | Sean Stead | Glasgow Nightingale CC | 73 |
| 26. | Andrew Hale | GJS Cruise Racing | 33 |
| 27. | Murray Ferguson | Falkirk | 25 |
| 28. | Calum Johnstone | ERC | 42 |
| 29. | Andrew Merry | Discovery Junior CT | 60 |
| 30. | Steven Currie | Glasgow Ivy CC | 17 |
| 31. | Alan Maxwell | Pedal Power | 54 |
| 32. | Donald MacRury | Moray Firth CC | 51 |
| 33. | Andy Auld | Leslie Bike Shop/Bikers Boutique | 5 |
| 34. | George Roberts | Icarus | 71 |
| 35. | Ali Fowler | Glasgow Nightingale CC | 27 |
| 36. | Gary MacDonald | Hope Factory RT | 48 |
| 37. | Craig McCulloch | 56 | |
| 38. | John Gartland | GJS Cruise Racing | 29 |
| 39. | Paul Evans | 23 | |
| 40. | Brian Marsland | LRCC | 52 |
| 41. | Richie Provan | Glasgow Couriers | 68 |
| 42. | Craig Adams | Leslie Bike Shop/Bikers Boutique | 1 |
| 43. | David Griffiths | Pro Vision | 79 |
| 44. | Scott Johnson | 83 | |
| 45. | Sean Botha | Glasgow Ivy CC | 8 |
| 46. | Ross Clark | Dooleys Cycles RT | 13 |
| 47. | Robert Jenkins | Perth United | 40 |
| 48. | Michael Burke | Glasgow Ivy CC | 11 |
| 49. | Calum Grey | 32 | |
| 50. | Ewan Murray | GGCC | 62 |
| 51. | Paul Welsh | Glasgow Ivy CC | 77 |
| 52. | Greg O’Malley | Glasgow Couriers | 65 |
| 53. | Martin Edgar | LRCC | 22 |
| 1st U23 | Euan Sutherland | Glasgow Cycle Team |
| 2nd U23 | Danny Hedley | RT23 |
| 1st U18 | Struan Pryde | HMT w/JLT Condor |
| 2nd U18 | Lewis Gray | ERC |
| KOM Duke’s Pass | Ryan Fenwick | Dooleys Cycles RT |
| KOM Crow Road | Ryan Fenwick | Dooleys Cycles RT |
Past winners of the race are listed below….
1975 1st Sam Robinson Memorial RR M. Laing Perth United CC
1976 2nd Sam Robinson Memorial RR G. Nisbet Roiseal CRT
1977 3rd Sam Robinson Memorial RR D. Mitchell Glasgow Nightingale CC
1978 4th Sam Robinson Memorial RR D. Miller Douglas CC
1979 5th Sam Robinson Memorial RR J. McGahan Glasgow Wheelers
1980 6th Sam Robinson Memorial RR W. Gibb Regent / Connor CC
1981 7th Sam Robinson Memorial RR R. Stewart Aberdeen Wheelers
1982 8th Sam Robinson Memorial RR D. Whitehall Regent / Connor CC
1983 9th Sam Robinson Memorial RR A. Ferry Scotia CC
1984 10th Sam Robinson Memorial RR W. Gibb Johnstone Wheelers
1985 11th Sam Robinson Memorial RR W. Gibb Johnstone Wheelers
1986 12th Sam Robinson Memorial RR R. Melrose Johnstone Wheelers
1987 13th Sam Robinson Memorial RR A. Ferry Scotia CC
1988 14th Sam Robinson Memorial RR D. Finlayson Cromarty Firth CC
1989 15th Sam Robinson Memorial RR D. Riddle Moray Firth CC
1990 16th Sam Robinson Memorial RR G. McGarrity GS Modena
1991 17th Sam Robinson Memorial RR A. Young Glenmarnock Wheelers
1992 18th Sam Robinson Memorial RR A. Young Glenmarnock Wheelers
1993 19th Sam Robinson Memorial RR K. Mailor Moray Firth CC
1994 20th Sam Robinson Memorial RR K. Mailor Velo RT
1995 21st Sam Robinson Memorial RR R. Jolly Deeside Thistle
1996 22nd Sam Robinson Memorial RR D. Miller VC Astar
1997 23rd Sam Robinson Memorial RR B. Smith BCF (Private)
1998 24th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Gary Paterson Clarke Contracts RT
2 Drew Wilson
3 Richard Moore
4 Brian Smith
5 Neil Brown
6 Paul Rennie
7 Bill Hart
8 Peter Murdoch
9 Andrew Matheson
10 Gordon Murdoch
1999 25th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Gregg Imlah Wallacehill CC
2 Richard Moore
3 Tim Allan
4 Philip Brown
5 Andrew Matheson
6 Liam Hassan
7 John Hunter
8 Graham Brown
9 Neil Walker
10 Jonathan Muir
2000 26th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Neil Brown Deeside Thistle
2 John Fettis
3 Peter Murdoch
4 Roderick Riddle
5 James Murdoch
6 Callum MacGregor
7 Graham Moore
8 Stephen Couper
9 Willie Gibb
10 James McManus
2001 27th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Tim Allen Kingdom RT
2 Gordon Murdoch
3 Philip Brown
4 Adrian Murphy
5 Tony Hastie
6 Craig Gilmour
7 Graham Mcgarrity
8 Bryan Russell
9 Prasad Prasad
10 Keith Smith
2002 28th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Neil Cameron Deeside Thistle
2 Andrew Young
3 Gordon Murdoch
4 Stuart MacGregor
5 John Charlesworth
6 Stephen Couper
7 David Murdoch
8 Bryan Russell
9 Stephen Gibson
10 Philip Brown
2003 29th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 James Murdoch Wallacehill CC
2 Graham McGarrity
3 Evan Oliphant
4 Tim Allan
5 Ross Muir
6 John Stollery
7 Craig Gilmour
8 Callum MacGregor
9 Jason Macintyre
10 Hamish Hutchinson
2004 30th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Evan Oliphant Velo Ecosse
2 Callum MacGregor
3 Steven Kenny
4 Paul Rennie
5 Bryan Russell
6 James Cusick
7 Richard Garrett
8 Lee Whitelaw
9 Alister Watt
10 Tom Anderson
2005 31st Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Evan Oliphant Recycling.co.uk-MG X-power 3.25.41
2 Steve Kenny
3 Rob Palmer
4 Stuart McGregor
5 Gordon Murdoch
6 Phil Brown
7 C. McGregor
8 N. Cameron
9 B. Russell
10 Sean Newington
2006 32nd Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Jason McIntyre Velo Ecosse
2 John McArthy
3 Graham McGarrity
4 Bryan Pool
5 Phil Brown
6 Ray Wilson
7 Ian Taylor
8. Gordon Murdoch
9 Lee Whitelaw
10 Stephen Cassels
2007 33rd Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Gordon Murdoch East Kilbride RC
2 Stuart MacGregor
3 Jack Woodward
4 Paul Coats
5 Ian Taylor
6 Ray Wilson (KoM)
7 Philip Brown
8 Alister Watt
9 Jon Kelly
10 Steven Ward
2008 34th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Gary Hand Pedalpower.org.uk/Endura RT
2 Chris Thomson
3 Graeme McGarrity
4 Gordon Murdoch
5 Philip Brown
6 Arthur Doyle
7 Scott MacRae
8 Callum Wilkinson
9 Stuart McManus
10 Rab Wardell
2009 35th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 22 James McCallum ENDURA racing 03:28:13
2 70 Ross Creber
3 66 Alastair Kay
4 72 Ashley Finn
5 73 Martin Ford
6 42 Watt Alistere
7 21 Gordon Murdoch
8 63 Oliphant Lewis
9 9 Arthur Doyle
10 58 Robin Wilkins
2010 36th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Evan Oliphant Endura Racing 02:40:24
2 Robin Wilkins Stirling Bike club 38
3 David Lines Endura Racing 03:34
4 Robert Hassan Glasgow Wheelers same time
5 Alex Coutts Giant Asia Racing Team same time
6 David Smith Glasgow Wheelers 03:44
7 Ross Creber Endura Racing same time
8 Scott Macrae Team Leslie Bike Shop same time
9 Craig Adams Falkirk Bicycle Club 03:50
10 Dougie Young Glasgow Wheelers 05:01
2011 37th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Ben Greenwood Rapha Condor Sharp 1 3:15:57
2 James McCallum Rapha Condor Sharp Elite 6
3 Robert Hassan Endura/Pedal Power Development 1 22
4 Matthew MacDonald thebicycleworks.com 2 1:11
5 Arthur Doyle Dooleys Cycles RT 2 same time
6 Robin Wilkins Equipe Velo Ecosse / Montpellie 1 1:15
7 Eddie Addis Equippe Velo Ecosse/Montpellier 2 3:07
8 Gordon Murdoch team cyclelane 2 3:17
9 Gary Hand Endura/Pedalpower development t 1 3:23
10 Phil Brown Equippe Velo Ecosse/Montpellier 3 3:53
2012 38th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Simon Baxter Herbalife Leisure Lakes Bikes.com
2 Edward Addis Equipe Velo Ecosse/Montpelliers
3 Gary Hand Pedal Power/Endura/Forme Racing
4 Mathew Macdonald Equipe Velo Ecosse/Montpelliers
5 Richard McDonald www.Dooleys-Cycles.co.uk
6 Grant Ferguson Boardman Elite
7 Andrew Whitehall Equipe Velo Ecosse/Montpelliers
8 Keith Laird Glasgow Couriers
9 Scott McCrossan Rock to Roll Cycles Ltd.
10 Craig Wallace Granite City RT
2013 39th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
2014 40th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
2016 42nd Sam Robinson Memorial RR
2017 43rd Sam Robinson Memorial RR
2018 44th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
2019 45th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
1 Matti Dobbins Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
2 Logan Maclean Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
3 Joe Shillabeer 05-03
4 Louis Moore Vanelli-Project Go
5 Gregor McArthur The Cycling Academy
6 George Skinner Primera-TeamJobs
7 Ciaran Mc Sherry The Cycling Academy
8 Alexander MacRae Unattached
9 Aaron King RT23
10 Lee Rosie Spokes Racing Team
2023 47th Sam Robinson Memorial RR
Glasgow Nightingale Cycling Club 