A big congrats and welcome home to Siobhán, JP, John H, Paul and Billy after completing the mighty Marmotte GranFondo, Emma and Rosie who took on La Mi Marmotte and John L and David F who aced l'Étape du Tour.

A challenge which since last year has managed to consume pretty much every waking hour of their lives missing the sheer simplicity of the hardest decision being "Which coffee stop today...?" The world of sprockets, crankshafts and brakes some consoling themselves at their incredible lack of engineering ingenuity yet it’s a sport which offers freedom, escapism and camaraderie - what next? People you did Orwell proud.

Update: And there's a fairy-tale ending...

More congratulations are in order! JP managed to get down on one knee after the event and popped the question to Siobhán who found the energy to say Yes! Tired limbs instantly forgotten! Congratulations Siobhán and JP!

The happy couple at the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford 2012