Last week two teams of Orwell Wheelers made the long trek down to Sneem in County Kerry, where they had to endure an even longer race, the most difficult Rás na mBan in its history. Also starring in the race were Anne Dalton for the Irish National Team, and Charlotte McDonald for Cycling Leinster. With six stages in five days, almost 400km of racing, and a queen stage with two Cat 1 climbs, just to finish the Rás is an achievement in itself. Eddie Lynch reports below...

The word epic probably needs a holiday in the Bahamas after all the times it was used in conversations around the Ras na mBan this week.

It was hard to describe the emotions as the girls came in from the incredible Queen stage. The crew of (mostly) lads stood and applauded the heroes as they came home in ones and twos, exhausted and empty, having driven themselves to their limits and beyond, some having not eaten since the previous evening, some having not slept at all the previous night.

Most of the eyes were moist as we roared them home over the last few metres. 

They had ridden 95kms over two of the toughest climbs in the country and then back over Coomacista for dessert. If that wasn't enough, they had 35km to ride mostly solo with a headwind before they finally hit Sneem.

To single out any riders for mention would be unfair, as everyone in the entire race went as deep for as long as everyone else, but I will try and give our lot a special word.

Anne Dalton in the Irish team, cruising up the climbs, punishing the bunch, making it hard for some, impossible for others, violently ill before the Queen stage, made it round just off the bunch when she should have been in hospital probably.

Charlotte MacDonald, Miss Sunshine, a joy to have on a team, but now with ripped legs looking like a pro as she rode through the cavalcade having had Tom do the incredible - fixing her seatpost while she's still riding the bike, as Aido would say Boom!

Trish Buckley - they make them tough in Kerry, quiet, determined, funny and what a bike rider, see you next year in an Ireland jersey.

Mags Donnelly - demon descender, urging us to speed up on a descent when we're already at 60kph, lots of guts, most of which she brought up on Tuesday night, shouldn't have ridden the stage, ate nothing the entire day and still refused to give up - awesome! Oh yeah and got no sleep!

Orla Hendron - proper team player, was riding into the race, but her favourite bit of the final stage was being able to help a team mate, already a legend, the oldest competitor inspiring the young ones.

Lucy Soden - quiet, determined, steely grit under a shiny, happy exterior, she rode the race and when it got tough, she got tougher, and I think became a racer this week.

I didn't really know the Joe Daly crew before the start of the race, but made some good friends this week.

Isobel - a climber who can sprint, really enjoyed the two steepest climbs in the country,(go figure) and is a talent who will shine next year

Catherine Downes - what an attitude! struggled with the speed on the climbs but never got moany, or made excuses, just got on with it. One of my absolute favourite moments was seeing Catherine on the climb to Bealaghbeama (English translation-look, don't even bother trying to cycle this) making the "Call me baby" sign while being dropped-hilarious! 

Not forgetting our 2 guests, Monica who is a cultured rider and person, and Lauren who also got sick and had the grit to get back on.

The crew, my co-pilot Dick who is the hardest working, most dedicated mechanic and a calming influence in the car, and encourager-in-chief as we come up to the girls and Gary who was a super masseur and room mate.

Our rival teams, first Leinster's dynamic duo Aido and Tom, our late night discussions were responsible for my lack of sleep, great craic on the night stages, and great banter during the day.

Then Sandra and Dave, who were a great team and in the end we all probably merged into one, in a "united we stand" sort of way.

Man of the match though, is Declan Quigley, he is the glue that holds everything together, not only doing an amazing job as MC but managing to make time for a few pints with his Orwell groupies. Well done mate and good luck this weekend.

Thanks also to Paddy Fitzsimons for the loan of his car with the awesome bike rack.

Apologies if I've forgotten anybody, but if I don't go to work I won't be able to afford the entry for the Cycleways Cup in March!

Eddie Lynch


Editor's note:

It probably goes without saying, but no mention of the Orwell entry at this year's Rás na mBan would be complete without crediting Aideen Collard and Dave Tansey, the two most consistent supporters of Women's racing in the club.

Aideen was Soigneur for both teams for the week, handing up bottles on climbs, taking jackets, making lunches and much more besides, while Dave provided kit, bottles, drinks and race food for the riders, as well as the usual mechanical spares of all sorts.

It isn't by chance that Orwell is the only club in the country that can field a team in the Rás, and none of it would have happened without Aideen's tireless work and Dave's endless moral, financial and logistical support.