The devastation of losing a club member in a training ride crash is clearly reflected in the words of Orwell Wheelers.
Having been digesting the tragic events of yesterday when one of its club spins turned to horror when a rider was killed, Orwell Wheelers has paid tribute to the deceased woman Tonya McEvoy.
The 34-year-old childcare worker, who had been a member of the club for some time, died from injuries she sustained in collision with a vehicle in Co Kildare yesterday.
The club was near Rathcoffey at the time, between Maynooth and Clane, when Tonya was in collision with an oncoming car.
The circumstances of the incident are being investigated by the Garda.
Orwell Wheelers has confirmed Tonya was a member and was on one of its group spins when she was killed.
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“Tonya McEvoy started as one of our talented beginner women last summer and took to club cycling with a passion,” the club said.
“Her sister told us that ‘cycling was a big part of her life and she loved every minute of it. She was so proud to be a part of Orwell Wheelers and wearing the colours’.
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“She was on the bike every weekend she could, from the Wicklow 100 to the Tour of Meath to the Great Dublin Bike Ride.”
Declan Quigley, a well known member of the club and international cycling commentator on Eurosport, reflected the shock within the club and indeed the wider cycling community.
“It was so sad and shocking to hear of the tragic and untimely passing of Tonya,” he said.
“I met her at the Orwell weekend away last October and she was great company at dinner and out on the spins in the weeks after that.
“She was at the outset of her cycling odyssey and what shone through was her smiling, sunny disposition and her sheer joy at being out on the bike.
“She immediately fitted in with the group and brought great energy and enthusiasm to the spins.
“It's a terrible shock for all and my thoughts, and I'm sure those of all of us in the Orwell, are with her family and loved ones at this time. May she rest in peace.”
The club extended its deepest condolences to Tonya’s family - her parents Pat and Brian, her brothers Brian and Keith and sister Ciara.
“We remember also her friends and close club mates, and thoughts to those also who were with her at the time of the accident. Our heartfelt sympathies to all who knew her,” the club concluded.
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