For John Jones, cycling has always taken a prominent role in his life and this year he's even celebrating his birthday with a 75-mile bike ride around London.

Two days after celebrating his birthday, John set off from The Malt Shovel, in Cowley, starting his 75-mile trek on Wednesday (April 15) at 9.30am.

The ride will take him through Cookham and Marlow up to Christmas Common through to Nettlebed and Sonning to Twyford, finally returning home via Windsor Great Park.

He won't be going it alone, however, as he will be joined with many of his old and new cycling friends.

“I am expecting 30-plus friends to join us for lunch and I will be joined by at least six past members of the Uxbridge Wheelers, school friends from around 60 years ago and cycling friends I have met in recent years,” he said.

John Jones with his cycling friend Jim Mackay
John Jones with his cycling friend Jim Mackay

He added: “My wife Betty, who has put up with my cycling obsession all these years, will also be joining us but by car as she has never been much of a cyclist! Her support over the years has made it possible for me to be as active as I am today.”

John Jones celebrated his golden wedding anniversary last year.

John has been cycling in and around the Hillingdon area almost all of his life, starting his journey when he was 14-years-old to gain independence and explore further afield.

“I joined Yiewsley Road Club, a cycling club that boasted many members and some National Champions," he said. "I then went on to win the Yiewsley RC Junior Championship in 1957 racing time trials for over 10, 25 and 30 miles.”

He later joined the Uxbridge Wheelers, a small bike club with few members based around Triangle Cycles in Ickenham.

“I was Uxbridge Wheelers Club Champion for the best performances over 50 miles, 100 miles and also 12 hours for 6 consecutive years, from 1959 to 1964.”

Despite being a well-renowned cycling legend, John gave up his bike in 1965, when his first son was born. That was, until, in 2007 John was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, at the age of 67. He decided that keeping fit was the best course of action to tackle the illness.

John Jones at the veterans training session
John Jones at the veterans training session

“I rode my first cycle race in over 40 years when I competed in the Hillingdon Cycling Club’s Old Crocks 10-mile Time Trial," he said. "I surprised all and most of all myself, by winning the event.

“I also entered La Marmotte, a 109-mile cycling event in the French Alps. The course takes in three classic climbs that often feature in the Tour de France plus it finished at the summit of the Alpe d’Huez climb, a 9 mile climb which features 21 hairpin bends.

“I decided to ride the event to gain sponsorship for the hospital where I was being treated, The Royal Marsden Hospital.”

John successfully completed the event, raising over £7,000 and at the end of the year won the Uxbridge Gazette’s Local Hero Award for Fundraising.

John has been clear of prostate cancer since 2009 and has been cycling ever since.

“In 2010 I rode La Marmotte again, this time to celebrate my 70th birthday, which again I completed.”

“In fact I have not really stopped cycling and last year (2014) I cycled over 6,000 miles and my target this year is to beat 8,000 miles.”

All of us at getwestlondon wish John a happy 75th birthday and an enjoyable ride.