This Saturday there is a memorial bike ride to one of the best known figures on the Oxford cycling scene, Mr John Wilson, who sadly died last year aged just 53.

I didn’t know John very well but he now feels like an old friend to me because I run the business Walton Street Cycles, which he owned before me for a quarter of a century.

Nearly every day somebody comes into the shop, mainly asking for him by name, but also some just ask for the “crazy red-haired man who owns the place”.

Just the other day somebody returned from Asia after living there for 10 years, and his first stop was to see John and get himself a bike to ride around Oxford on.

I hate being the bearer of bad news, and John’s untimely death is something I have had to discuss many times, but although the initial conversation begins with sadness the stories then begin. And, believe me, I have not heard a bad word said against him or the bicycles he sold.

Far from it. There are usually tales of kindness and a great respect for what was an unfaltering knowledge of bicycles.

I have heard about the lady who brought her first bike from John and which is still running like a beauty, and the chap who was persuaded to part with a large amount of cash on one of the first mountain bikes which John championed.

However, I also deal with many customers who just wouldn’t go anywhere else for a new bicycle as John made them feel special enough to keep on returning.

I salute his memory; he understood the value of customer loyalty as well as being just plain old courteous to everyone he met.

Taking over Walton Street Cycles has been tough. Living up to the great reputation John built over the years is something we strive to do. But luckily for us, we don’t live in his shadow. We reap the rewards of the sunlight he cast which now illuminates our way.

Most bicycle shops in Oxford have a former employee of John; after all, he was the hub of the Oxford bike scene – and, for that, Oxford is very lucky.

We are extremely blessed to have the same team that John chose. Our workshop manager Jim has spent a decade at Walton Street Cycles and many other staff remain or are returning.

The ride won’t be too strenuous. Starting from Walton Street Cycles at midday, riders will cycle out to John’s favourite pub The Queens Head in Eynsham.

Special Walton Street Cycles T-Shirts will be on sale to commemorate John and all proceeds will go to his favourite charities – the Cannon Collins trust and the RNLI.

So, if you knew John, do come along. And if he sold you a bike, jump on it to commemorate him.

It will be a great ride and I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities to share more stories about this great man.