The racing season is barely at an end and there is still a smattering of autumn sportives yet to run but the increased demand for organised club riding means the winter spins resume earlier this year.

Details of the annual weekend away and the club prize giving will be released shortly but in the meantime those members eager to throw themselves into the social season can get the ball rolling with the end of season drinks get together.

With just a week to go to the Sneem Hotel Rás na mBan, the Orwell squad for Ireland’s top international stage race for women has been announced.

Naoise Sheridan and Dick O’Brien recently added their names to the growing list of Orwell riders who’ve suffered shoulder injuries this season. Sheridan and O’Brien are currently convalescing after breaking collarbones in tumbles last week.

Rachael Kaye Mellor’s excellent season received further belated recognition this week when she was confirmed as the winner of the gold medal as the top female rider in the Under 13 category in the All Ireland Youth Championships.

The second annual Race Around Ireland gets under way next week with two intrepid Orwell riders set to join teams for domestic racing’s ultimate challenge.

New Orwell recruit Eilis Connery scored one of the finest results for a club member all season when she won the bronze medal in the 25-29 year-old category at the World Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh last weekend.

Our friends at Think Bike who came out in support of the Orwell Randonée, are organising their own 100k on Sunday 3rd October in aid of Lepra Ireland. Read more here.

Robbie Lawless’s mother sadly passed away on Wednesday after a long illness. The removal takes place on the evening of Friday 27th August at 5.30pm from the The Good Shepherd Church in Churchtown.

The Ras na mBan, Ireland's premier international women's road race, takes place 17-19th September. Closing date for entries is August 27th.