Some more sad news, I'm afraid

[PanoIgano]

Sneaky peek of Johns restored Bonty. The third picture shows it has it was when I first picked it up.

Don't know John but it saddens me to hear of these news.

His Bonty looks amazing and he seems to have had a big influence in the UK scene leaving behind quite of legacy.

 

[slimjoe]

John’s bike is now on Readers Rides. A big thanks to John for passing it onto me and for being such a big influence to myself and so many others on here.

 

[noteeth]

Very sorry to hear this.

As others have said, John's writing had a major and lasting influence... it was part of why my friends and I used to smuggle MBUK into school lessons... daydreaming about epic rides (& upgrades beyond the reach of our saturday jobs) or else arguing about whether you could run Rock Shox and Flexstems at the same time. And without doubt, why I've ended up owning so many steel mountain bikes over the years (including more than a few Bontys...).

Thanks John. Best wishes to you.

 

[trailwright]

Like everyone else I am saddened to hear this and wish John a peaceful remaining few months. MBUK and John's contribution to the early scene here in the UK was a large part of the excitement of being a late teenage mountain bike obsessive. It's hard to believe it's over 30 years ago now but what a time to have been a part of. Thank you John for being a piece of that.

 

[John Stevenson]

Really sorry to hear that as John was MBUK in the period I was reading. Always enjoyed his stuff so please tell him how much his content influenced a young mountain biker.

Too kind, but if mountain biking took over your life and finances, I'm not copping the blame

 

[John Stevenson]

Like everyone else I am saddened to hear this and wish John a peaceful remaining few months. MBUK and John's contribution to the early scene here in the UK was a large part of the excitement of being a late teenage mountain bike obsessive. It's hard to believe it's over 30 years ago now but what a time to have been a part of. Thank you John for being a piece of that.

Thank you! They were amazing days. We had no idea what we were doing organising races, racing and doing a magazine, but we did it anyway.

 

[John Stevenson]

I have to agree with the sentiments above. John was the face of MBUK when I first picked it up in 1990. He wrote all the tests & tech/mechanical articles if I remember correctly. I'm sure we all read those pages & added to our knowledge. Such sad news, I wish him & his closest family peace & tranquility at this time.

I wrote quite a few product reviews, but Nigel Jackson and then Steve Worland were the main bike testers.

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[John Stevenson]

This is very sad news. I did a few rides back in the early to mid 90's at Loftus in Sydney where John was the ride leader, mostly. I was not a local but did enjoy the 'Let's ride bikes!' chant as the kickoff term while we tried to figure out what this MTBing thing was all about, but fun it was even with 135mm stems.

The Loftus trail head is here https://maps.app.goo.gl/cYYb8CCMTjLtxA7X7
I've also attached an Australian Mountain Bike SC Heckler road test with John from 1996.

I wish the best for John and that his time is spent well with family and friends.
View attachment 904943

View attachment 904944

Amazing! I have to memory of that photoshoot at all, but the photographer Tony F Nolan was a legend in Sydney surfing and mountain biking circles.

 

[John Stevenson]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Sorry I can't reply to them all, but it's just lovely to hear how many people blame me in part for their mountain bike addiction

This cancer thing is very very odd. Aside from often being unusually tired, I feel pretty normal. I can still ride, though I've wussed out and gone electric-assist. I have a collection of scars that will win me pretty much any healed-wound willy-waving contest and I'm generally keeping cheerful thanks to being looked after by my amazing wife Caroline and entertained by our collection of daft dogs.

Someone said they wanted to buy me a pint. If anyone else feels that way, I'm in Cambridge these days, so if you happen to be in these parts, drop me a line.

 

[minor_LEGEND]

Lovely to hear from you on here John. All the best!

Grime Time!