It is with great sadness that we pass on the news that John Mortimer, a long standing member of the Jubilee, has unfortunately passed away aged 85.
The funeral will be private but John’s family would be very pleased for friends and fellow cyclists to come to the Woodland Burial Ground, Furzehill opposite the Horns Inn, on Green Lane. The reception in John’s memory is on Tuesday 21st March at 2.30pm.
Obituary – by Peter Warhurst
John and wife Anne came to Wessex in the early 1950s from the Heathrow area of London, when John joined the police. They were both experienced club cyclists having been members of the Westerley RC since their teens. John had been a prolific champion time triallist with the Westerley, having held the National RRA Tricycle record for the London to Brighton and back trip (the most prestigious of the RRA out-and-home routes), the National RTTC Tricycle competition records at both 50 and 100 miles, as well as a number of other Westerley bicycle and tricycle club records.
John at the start of a competition 100M record in 1955 – 4.36.06
John riding a 12 hour in the 1960s
Fortunately John and Anne chose to join the BJW and straight away became valued members, with both always willing to help in all sorts of ways, and John continuing his impressive time trialling exploits, being third counter in three Jubilee record teams, two at 100 miles and one at 12 hours. In 1975 he took second place in the Wessex RC 24 hours event.
National 50 in 1979.
But as the years with the Jubilee progressed John and Anne’s love of club riding and touring gradually took over from the pull of time trials. Naturally their two children, Martin and Sue were brought up as cyclists and had a year or two as Jubilee members. John, usually with Anne at his side, was always to the fore in being available for marshalling club and open events, with Anne often to be seen at the refreshment stall.
John held the position of BJW General Secretary from 1979 until 1988; he was always a man who gave more than he took from cycling and the Jubilee was the main beneficiary from both John and Anne. All of us owe him a great deal of thanks.
He was a very strong rider on club runs, with his very broad, strong body there was usually a tussle to sit on his back wheel. This made it particularly sad that his last years, with his beloved Anne steadfastly by his side, were spent fighting the dreadfully debilitating disease which ended his life.