meet john's people

We're friendly, polite and helpful people and thirty years of experience has built us a peerless reputation for truthful advice and stocking the best bikes, the right tyres and the strongest luggage racks for our customers. Our ambition is to help more people cycle happily and comfortably so that they're  fitter and healthier and Bath is a cleaner, quieter place to live. By extension, the world will be a better place too but we're not kidding ourselves; we're playing our small part in the bigger picture. Indeed, we're humbled by our customers who are nurses and fire fighters and farmers - it certainly keeps us real when we get excited about titanium bolts. But then again we're quietly proud when our customers trust us to seriously, responsibly and professionally service their bikes.

 

Mark - Warranty Support and Media.

I used to work as a retail manager and taught business management to HND level.  My last retail job was at Waterstones, so my career has been a journey from books to bikes. 

I was a Johns Bikes customer for 16 years before working here.  I used to ride my bike to work and so I just wanted somewhere that was accessible and friendly and they stocked everything I needed.  If they didn’t they would source it for me.  I had such a positive experience of coming to the shop that it made me want to work here.

At Johns Bikes I focus on bike products and accessories and also maintain the website and do the viral media work.  To me, it’s all about customer feedback, which is vital to know what it is we are getting right and what we need to do to respond to customer needs.

Ian- P&A Buyer

We asked Ian a few questions...

Favourite book?  'Into Thin Air' by Jon Krakauer
What do you have for breakfast?  Bagel and Nutella
Favourite foods?  Anything Indian and Italian and any cheeses
Most unusual place ever visited? Stunning ice caves in Iceland
Best sound?  Anything by Metallica, Led Zeppelin or the Smiths

 

James – Bike Buyer

Bikes, I just love ‘em.  I’m especially drawn to their design and the freedom they give you.  I came to work in bike retail through being an outdoor-pursuits instructor and working as a mountain bike guide.  My degree was in design and so working at Johns Bikes sort of brings these two things together.  I started out at one of the biggest bike chains, Evans.  I much prefer the more personal approach of Johns Bikes.

I like to think that in selling someone a bike they will get that same rush of freedom it gives me.   I try to bring my appreciation of design when selecting bikes to sell here.  It’s about knowing the kinds of people who come into our shop and learning what they are looking for.  That’s the first step to ensuring that our customers get a bike that fits who they are. That’s something I take real pride in doing.

Helen – Specialist Bike builder

Although I studied biochemistry at Bath University I spent most of my lecture time dreaming and planning my next ride. Whether its mountain biking, road biking or triathlon racing, what I love most is getting to the top of one of the hills, seeing a fantastic view, and then having the challenge and excitement of going down; I like to give the boys a run for their money!  I was a bike mechanic for nearly three years before coming to Johns Bikes.  I have also worked in a bike shop in Nottingham where I had to just do whatever needed doing.  At Johns Bikes I am mostly found putting the bikes together in the bowels of the building but I also enjoy doing stints on the shop floor.  Quite often guys want a bike for their partners and come to me for advice.  I love to use my cycling experience to help other women get the same enjoyment I do from cycling.

Joe – Cycling Clothes Guru and Pro Bike fit Specialist (Trek & CycleFit Accredited)

I’m a descendent of William Wordsworth but I enjoy the poetry of bikes more than words.  I’ve been peddling ever since I was two and cycling has remained my main means of transport ever since.  I am a qualified bike mechanic and that’s what I started out as here.  Through that I learnt about the importance of getting a good quality bike, and to be honest, we don’t sell anything other than quality bikes here. 

I just fell into the clothing side of things really.  There is lot more to it than you realise.  You can wear what you like on a bike within reason, but with proper cycle clothing, it’s designed especially to increase comfort and that allows you stay on your bike much longer.  If you’ve got the right clothes on, come rain, sun or snow, you can still get on your bike, whatever the weather.  And it’s my job to help people do that. 

 

John Potter

We asked John a few questions... and got a few answers

If you were a bike what would you be?  Something handbuilt, English, steel, probably a Mercian touring bike; a King of Mercia with one of their fabulous paint jobs and a Carradice saddlebag.

Best life lesson?  Always take that chance if it's offered.

Where were you happiest?  Train spotting in the days of steam; Atlantic Coast Express and The Bournemouth Belle on Woking station with my dad, aged 10

Best drink?  Large gin and tonic, please.

Dream party guest?  Mrs Alison Potter

Greatest extravagance?  Fireworks

Achievement you're most proud of?  Developing the London to Brighton Bike Ride from 120 to 36,036 cyclists was quite good but possibly The Great British Bike Ride was more of an achievement. How did we all ride so far, drink so much and have so many parties between Land's End and John O'Groats?

Now, or what other era?  Now

Dream present?  Gauge 1 model of the Golden Arrow with live steam engine and Pullman carriages

Favourite sport to watch?  Tour de France

What superpower would you like to have?  Become invisible

Favourite smell?  Sweet peas or English roses

Best sound?  A steam locomotive pulling a train up a steep climb? But then the sound of a Regina Extra freewheel zinging through silk tubular tyres pumped up to the max used to be pretty good.  The opening of "Gimme Shelter" still sends a tingle.

Favourite book?  "William's Happy Days" by Richmal Crompton

What do you have for breakfast?  Toast and Marmite

Favourite food?  Have a thing for Heinz cream of mushroom soup but asparagus steamed and served just with melted butter is tops.

Most unusual place you've ever visited?  Last year travelled to the West of Ireland from Aberdeenshire by train. It all gets pretty remote after Ayr and eventually arrive at Stranraer which is one road of small houses around a bay containing a large, really horrible ferry port. It is all absolutely miles from anywhere  anybody has ever heard of. The taxi took us 16 miles into the utter unknown and dropped us at a tiny hotel converted from a lighthouse, tiny but perfectly formed; a jewel - wonderful.  However, the lighthouse still worked and there was a great lamp rushing round the turret all night.  If it was foggy, the fog horn would probably keep you awake.