Leisure Reports

Our very wonderful Mr Tom Weymes recently completed the Mi-Marmotte, and has been good enough to document his musings. We could all learn a lot from his calm and positive attitude, never sinking into self-pity despite being passed by one rider with her derailleur in her spokes!

Updated: now with video!

With the Marmotte recently passed, and L'Étape just gone by, we've dug this one out of the archives - Stephen McNally's diary of an epic week of cycling in the French alps with Stephen Surdival and Dave McLoughlin which culminated in a very successful assault by the Stephens on the 2007 edition of the fabled Marmotte sportive, rated by many as the toughest of them all. Read on to admire and be inspired…

Sinéad Kennedy was one of the select Orwell crew who travelled to France to face the intimidating Marmotte, and inspired by a giant tortoise, she faced the challenge with heart and strength! Read on for all the details!

Good luck to those tackling L'Étape du Tour this weekend!

Before the heavyweights of the Marmotte share their war stories, here's a warm-up piece from Brian McArdle on his first taste of the Ring of Kerry experience.