John used to be Captain of the Newcastle Cycle Speedway team through the Eighties and early Nineties, and a great skipper he was. He served the club faithfully before it wrapped up in 1992 and then spent a couple of years riding for Hull and Heckmondwike before calling it a day. Like Jason he was at the Cycle Speedway reunion shindig in February 2005 and this was when we got him hooked into the MTB scene, since when he's hardly missed a ride, but couldn't get to the Easter weekend at Dumfries due to work commitments.

He's got an El Cheapo MTB for road mileage but bought a Saracen Awol in February and it looks like Saracen have at last delivered strength in some of their products. The bike looks great and feels solid (read Heavy) and with 4 to 5 inches of travel both ends it steps over rocky stuff pretty well. And as a bonus you get the same weight as a Santa Cruz V10 for a tenth of the price! The build quality may not be there but in the looks department it makes Oranges look like lemons.

John has become as passionate about MTBs as he was about Cycle Speedway, and has plans to build up his protective gear and improve the bikes' components when he can afford it. Now well into his forties he's a lot more relaxed than in his racing days and has one very annoying habit - getting up the climbs first!

John has all but consigned his first bike, the Saracen Awol, to be his daughter's toy now, and is strongly fancying something more like a purpose-built Freerider. He's also looking more like his old self, after a good run out at the front of the pack at Newcastleton Red Trail  on Sunday 9th October aboard a borrowed Coiler Dee Lux. Time to study the sales!

Virus Update - Johnny back on board! John missed a few weeks with the crew due to a mystery virus in September/October. Last time up at the Stanes he was totally knackered, even to the point of having to walk up the hills with me. And his next ride, just between our houses, saw him shot to pieces again - he just had no energy and didn't enjoy any of it. Turns out after some tests at the Quack's that he's had some sort of Virus. He's feeling better now though, and so is the Saracen Awol after a bit of a sort-out.

Nov 4th '06 - John expecting delivery of a spanker Kona Kikapu Deluxe any time next week!

Nov 14th '06 - it really is here now

mail John at john@midaircrisis.org.uk