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With the league now done and dusted, we dip back into the final two rounds – Brian McArdle’s ascendency on Kilmashogue, and Sean Barry’s victory in Glencullen.

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!

Don’t forget the end of season prize giving at the end of next month! Everyone is welcome, racing and leisure, youth, junior, senior and vets, and family!

While we try to catch up on some neglected cycling reports, we’ll start with Bryan Geary’s account of this year’s A3 champs, held in his native Cork. Along with Jamie Busher, Ronan Grimes and Ed O’Mahoney, he put in a solid performance and was unlucky to finish outside the prizes on the line. Have a read of his day below…

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!

The youth have been racing prolifically over the last couple of weeks, with no less than nine of them in action in the Underage and Orwell leagues. Read on for all the details!

The National Junior Track Champs and Team and Keirin Champs took place in Sundrive Road last weekend, and three of Orwell’s former champions came away with medals – Juniors Naoise Sheridan and Rachael Kaye-Mellor, and veteran Orla Hendron. Their haul was an impressive seven medals across five events and the Keirin, while the men’s team were denied the podium in the sprint by a mere half second.

The races came thick and fast over the weekend, with Kilmessan hosting two days of events for Ciara Kinch and Orla Hendron to take envelopes home from, and the Ballinrobe 2 Day taking place out west, with Pat O’Brien, Neal Hudson, Ronan Grimes and Aideen Keenan all putting in strong performances, and Keenan winning the women’s prize there. This all followed the club TTT, won by a team featuring Colum Bradley, Daniel McElroy, and Sean and Conor Murnane.

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!

Over the August bank holiday weekend, while much of the country was sodden and flooded, John McElligot organised the latest addition to the Orwell calendar, the Inner Ring Audax, which was held in the sunny south-west of Kerry. He tells us how his day went below…

Win a trip to France and cycle for a day with Orwell Wheeler Stephen Roche – Tour de France and Triple Crown winner! Details below…

Aideen Keenan notched up her most dominant win yet, soloing to victory in Clonmel at the weekend, ahead of the bunch gallop, which was taken by a flying Rachael Kaye-Mellor. Keenan followed that up with a tight second in Corkagh Park, which was also the scene of Helen Horan’s début win from the B group! And last Thursday Conor Murnane pipped Arek Pierozynski for an excellent win R18 of the league on Dorey’s Forge. Some men also raced in the Suir Valley 3 Day.

Brian Mc 15 June 2014 Ian Richardson takes the overall and Noel Hammond trophy from UCD clubmate Greg Swinand, while Orwell's Fionn Sheridan goes home with Kieran Hammond trophy. Noel Hammond Memorial (A1/2)  1 Ian Richardson (UCD) 45’22” 2 Greg Swinand (UCD) 46’33” 3 John Lynch (Murphy Surveyors) 48’53” 4 Pat O’Brien (Orwell Wheelers) 50’54” 5 Ben Delaney (SDCC) 50’54” 6 Richard McDonough (Murphy Surveyors) 51’06” Top A2s 1 Richard McDonough (Murphy Surveyors) 51’06” 2 Catha

Aideen Keenan and Helen Horan were on the rampage in Corkagh Park again this week, each taking the prime in their respective races, and Horan going on to another super silver, and Keenan another fine win. Click for more!

Last weekend in Donore, two riders from different ends of the spectrum both got themselves on the podium. Ciara Kinch continued her winning streak with silver in the women’s race, while Garry Blair matched her result to take his first ever open points! Read on for the details from both riders…

The Orwell vets have been cleaning up again, with Ciara Kinch, Barry Dace and William Parnell all notching up wins since our last update. Read on for all the action!

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!

A gorgeous evening in Mondello for the Club Champs saw Brian McArdle solo to victory, with defending champ Darragh Long coming in ahead of Brian Ahern at the front of the bunch.

Aideen Keenan was once again on the podium in Corkagh Park, and regular placer Helen Horan matched her bronze medal, all while the pair – along with Monica Marconi – organised the races and hosted a great evening of women’s racing.

Our very wonderful Mr Tom Weymes recently completed the Mi-Marmotte, and has been good enough to document his musings. We could all learn a lot from his calm and positive attitude, never sinking into self-pity despite being passed by one rider with her derailleur in her spokes! Updated: now with video!