Leisure

Dave Fitz went continental again, this time taking on the challenge of the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix. Follow his adventure below!

After his adventures last year in Belgium and the Netherlands, Eugène Dillon returned to tackle the same terrain from new angles. Take a read below! He’s then back in action riding in the Amstel Gold this weekend. Best of luck from everyone in Orwell Eugène, have a great ride and enjoy the bants!

Billy Parker has returned from his foray into audaxing to more leisurely activities, but he might regret it after Sunday’s ride in the wind and rain. Have a read below!

Good luck to those taking part in the Paris-Roubaix Challenge this weekend!

Good luck to the Flandriens! Click through to see Eileen Byrne’s bon voyage poster!

The Orwell Wheelers Randonnée is back for 2015! We’re getting the notice out now so you can get the date in your diary now, and start saving room in your stomach for cake! As has become usual, it’s taking place Saturday 2nd May, the bank holiday weekend, with start and finish in St Benildus’. The route however, is our hardest yet! Details and registration link below! Please see below for an important update from the organisers regarding tomorrow’s event.

Bryan Johnston composed a whimsical Sunday spin after a recent adventure, so we’ve published it below for your enjoyment!

At last, it’s time for the final part of Garret Connolly’s opus detailing the 2014 Marmotte. 16 Orwell members tackled it, which is coincidentally nearly the number of pages in Garret’s piece. We’ve published the first part and second part, as well as the third part. Now enjoy the last days!

With talk turning to the Marmotte 2015, it’s time for another part of Garret Connolly’s opus detailing the 2014 edition. 16 Orwell members tackled it, which is coincidentally nearly the number of pages in Garret’s piece. We’ve published the first part and second part already, here’s the third!

With talk turning to the Marmotte 2015, it’s time to start publishing Garret Connolly’s opus detailing the 2014 edition. 16 Orwell members tackled it, which is coincidentally nearly the number of pages in Garret’s piece. We’ve published the first part already, here’s the second!

With talk turning to the Marmotte 2015, it’s time to start publishing Garret Connolly’s opus detailing the 2014 edition. 16 Orwell members tackled it, which is coincidentally nearly the number of pages in Garret’s piece. We’ve published the first part below!

The Gerry Brannigan Memorial Cycle for the 2016 season will take place on Sunday the 18th of October 2015 starting at the Grasshopper Inn, Clonee, Co. Meath. (Please note that because of this event, there will be no organised cycle from Joe Daly’s on this date. We hope to see you all there instead.)

The Gerry Brannigan Memorial Cycle will take place on Sunday the 9th of November 2014 starting at the Grasshopper Inn, Clonee, Co. Meath. (Please note that because of this event, there will be no organised cycle from Joe Daly’s on this date. We hope to see you all there instead.)

As the more official leisure rides wind up for the year, it’s fitting that our final report comes in from none other than Orwell’s hard-working leisure rep himself, Stephen Ryan. He was blessed with fantastic weather, scenery and company for the Rebel Tour in the southwest, read on to see all the photo evidence alongside the account!

Just when you think the season is over, Eamonn Eaton makes another foray into the world of leisure cycling – this time to Bray and the Joe Loughman. Take a read of his account of the day below!

Colm Featherstone was one of the many Orwells who migrated to Waterford for the popular Sean Kelly Tour, including many of the white group who have spent the year traversing the country on various leisure cycles. The ran the gauntlet of lashing rain and dizzying climbs in Dungarvan, but survived to tell the tale! Read on!

After taking us through the Marmotte, we’ve dug out another of Stephen McNally’s narratives. With planning underway for a 2015 Raid Pyrénéen, this piece will make you want to head along if you don’t already!

Good luck from Orwell Wheelers to Jonny O’Reilly who flies to Switzerland today (Wednesday) together with his accomplice Patrick O’Dwyer to prep for the Alpenbrevet Platin Tour this Saturday 23rd August. A mere 276km with 7031m of climbing. Click through for the profile!

Eugène Dillon, known for his love of Shimano Skil gear, has been sighted more and more often in his Orwell club colours, having the banter. Last weekend he completed an epic double on the continent, the Sean Kelly Classic in Belgium and the Ardennentrip in the Netherlands. His report is below, but be warned – we might have a challenge for Billy Parker’s most verbose title!

Those familiar with Billy Parker’s writings know he’s not one for brevity, but he has outdone himself. Clear your schedule to digest this emotional rollercoaster of a ride up and down the Tourmalet, a skirmish with hypothermia, and (hopefully!) the final ascent of the Hautacam!