The bench you are sitting on is dedicated to the memory of Johnny Morrison, a much-loved member of Oxford Cycling Club, who was taken from us on 12 November 2025.
From the club’s founding in 2016 until he returned to his native Australia in 2022, Johnny was a stalwart of Oxford Cycling Club. He embodied the core values we sought to establish when the club was founded in 2016: friendship and respect, keeping it tight and disciplined in peloton (aka the bunch), supporting fellow members and nurturing new riders. His golden rule, however, and the one he always espoused, was to never, ever, take oneself too seriously!
Johnny’s cycling style was characterised by power and tenacity, but once off the bike, he was a gentle gem of a man. His warmth of character was unrivalled – he possessed that rare knack for making everyone lucky enough to enter his orbit feel both included and valued. Always generous, curious and erudite, Johnny saw the good in everyone, and his conversation was peppered with insight, intelligence and humour, the latter invariably self-effacing.
Johnny holding centre stage outside The Punter, during a brief visit to Oxford in October 2025
After our club rides, held every Saturday, the respective groups often rendezvous back at The Punter for some post-ride refreshment. And so it was here, beside the Oxford Canal, that Johnny would inevitably hold court — nursing a pint of lager and keeping everyone in stitches in the afternoon sunshine. To be in his company in those moments was one of life’s great pleasures.
In the weeks following his passing, we approached the management of The Punter with a proposal: to replace the tired looking old bench beside the main entrance with one dedicated to Johnny’s memory. Without hesitation, they agreed and we are deeply grateful for their generosity and support throughout.
This bench, crafted out of solid iroko hardwood, was made by the skilled artisans at Woodcraft UK in East Yorkshire, using traditional construction methods, and was funded by generous donations from members of Oxford Cycling Club and some of Johnny’s wider circle of Oxford cycling friends.
A short video tribute – a celebration of an exceptional man and his love of cycling, can be viewed on YouTube. Our full club statement, published in the days following Johnny’s passing, can be read HERE.
