2026 Orwell 200

148 riders set started gathering at Joe Daly’s from 6:15this morning.

At 7am they set off on the Dublin Meath Kildare Orwell 200km Audax. Audax is a form of long-distance cycling where riders aim to complete long and sometimes tough routes within specified time limits. Audax distances begin where most recreational cyclists and Sportives leave off, at the 200km mark. From there, the distances ascend through the full “Super Randonneur” series of 200, 300, 400 and 600km to multi-day rides of 1000km and more, including the most famed Audax event of all, the 1200km Paris-Brest-Paris.

Along the route each rider will have a card (known as a Brevet Card) to get stamped or signed at a series of checkpoints demonstrating that each checkpoint has been reached in good time. The time limits are quite generous, being determined by a minimum average speed of 15km/h including any stopped time which is within the capabilities of the majority of moderately fit cyclists – as with most endurance sports, the challenge lies in possessing the determination to carry on when tiredness starts to attack you.

Everyone was through the 1st control at Leixlip by 8:30. Many thank to Helen and Tom for coming out to sign brevet cards early on Sunday morning. By 1:30pm the all riders were through Kilbeggan control and the front riders were approach the finish at Joe Dalys in Dundrum. All riders were done by 8:30 pm