The June bank holiday saw Orwell riders in action both on the track and on the road, in racing and leisure, with two standout performances in Isabel Cogan's excellent victory at the Boyne GP, and Brian McArdle's superb stage win in the Rás Dhún na nGall. Plenty of other Orwell riders scooped prizes, most notably Orla Hendron who was second overall at the Duane Delaney GP.

The Leisure cyclist of the Year 2014 participation based event kicked off this weekend with the Ardattin 200, as well as several randonée events around the country. Greg Farrell shares his first audax experience below!

Twenty six Orwells were out on the circuits last weekend, to the South for Míle Fáilte, to the West for Tour de Burren, to the North for Swords McNally CC sportive and to the East for L'Eroica Britannia. While we wait for a report on Dave Mc's epic 1,200k ramble through the countryside here are three reports by first time writer Breda Horan and first time particpants and writers Matt Williams and Marcus Esser.

Reports from the sun-scorched Mount Leinster Challenge and Lap the Gaps below, as well as a slightly more Irish affair at the Etape Mourne! Thanks to Eamonn Eaton, Eileen Byrne, Sinead Kennedy and Dave Carroll for the always welcome contributions!

Updated: now with a Mount Leinster report from Billy Parker