by Lars Hundley
I am saddened to write that Coach John Hughes passed away suddenly on February 4, following an emergency surgery.
I first knew Coach Hughes as a fellow reader, long before I took over as publisher of Road Bike Rider and began working with him directly in 2018. I remember buying the book he wrote with Dan Kehlenbach, Distance Cycling, as I prepared to ride the Leadville 100 and the Dirty Kanza 200 back in 2013. I also followed his column each week on Road Bike Rider, just like many of you. I still remember how excited I was to get to know John personally, since I was such a fan.
I enjoyed trading emails each week with John and learning what he was up to as he’d turn in his column. As a Texan who lived briefly in Boulder, I was always a little bit jealous to hear about his latest cross country skiing activities each winter, or the big climbs he would complete on his bike in the summers. I also loved hearing about his travel, such as recent trips to Iceland and to India.
For any other readers who were also big fans like I was, I am sharing a link to his full obituary below.
A Celebration of Life will be held 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 390 E. Garnet Ave., Granby, CO 80446. For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom call will begin at 5:30 p.m. (MST). A celebration will be held in Boulder in mid-March.
Michael says
RIP Coach Hughes. I have enjoyed your articles for quite a few years.
Sheri Rosenbaum says
My condolences to his wife and family. RIP Coach. RBR won’t be the same without your great advice each week.
Slow Eddy says
So sorry to hear of Coach’s passing. Our condolences to his family. His insights were always very helpful, and he had an encyclopedia of knowledge about cycling.
John says
Condolences to his family. He will forever remain in the lives of all of us who looked forward to reading his weekly articles. Forever grateful and thankful for his contributions to all of us who enjoy cycling and xc skiing thru his sharing of knowledge.
Richard Rafoth says
Adding to the list of condolences, which will grow I am certain. I have certainly enjoyed John’s insights and comments over the years.
Gen says
Sad to hear this. He taught me a lot.
S. Little says
Back a ways, when he did BMB, Yankee magazine had a story on it. The article told how he “won” ( ‘ tho a ride not a race) and had a full page picture of him. Only the photo was not of him but me! A connection then made and haphazardly renewed. Too soon gone.
B. O'Neil says
This saddens me greatly. I’ve enjoyed reading his articles over the years very much.
Kent Thompson says
Coach Hugh’s insights will be missed. Very practical approach to enjoying cycling. Peace
Bruce McElheny says
Sorely will be missed by many of us who applied his words of wisdom and advice to our daily cycling activities.
Kevin Brunk says
I’ve enjoyed reading his articles over the years. Being in the same boat, I gained a lot of value as he described is journey through aging and its impact on his cycling and fitness. I wish his family remembrance of all the good time.
Jim says
Coach Hughes was an inspiration to this older cyclist. He helped motivate me to keep riding with the confidence that aging should not interfere with the passion for cycling. Condolences to his family and friends. He made a difference.
Rich Marisie says
Condolences to Coach John’s family. I’ve enjoyed reading John’s advice for years. He will be missed by the cycling world and others. RIP
Eric Hirsch says
This is horrible news. I consider his writings on aging and cycling to be my Bible as I am 71. I fully expected John to be riding into his 90s!
Dennis Adam says
I’m saddened to hear of the death of John Hughes and offer my condolences to his family . I have been a follower of his writings for the past twenty years. He will be missed by many in the cycling world.
John Schubert says
It was always a pleasure to read Coach John’s insightful articles. He knew his stuff, and worked to help others lead better lives. I wish his loved ones inner peace.
Stephen says
Very sorry to hear — condolences to his family and friends.
Randy C says
After reading his column and books, I hired him as a coach. I learned much which I still practice today. I am indebted to him and already have been missing his weekly writings.
George Clark says
So sad to hear of John’s passing 🙁 I would always look forward to his articles.
I wanted to pass along my condolences to his wife Carol and to the rest of his family and friends
Paul Matheny says
Such sad news. Blessings to John’s family and friends. We were lucky to have known him and learned from him. RIP
Willie Healy says
Deepest condolences to Coach John’s family and friends. I really enjoyed reading his articles and his obvious love of cycling shone through all his writing. May he rest in peace.
Luis says
A life of achievement, adventure, and service. My gratitude for all he gave us.
Marc Palma says
So very sad to read this today. I am sure the lasting impressions he made in his long career will forever be a guiding light to keep his memory alive.
James says
I’ve enjoyed Coach Hughes articles and his practical approach to cycling especially as we age. I’m saddened by this news but I’ll continue to rely on that wisdom and experience as I wrap up my 50’s into what is next. I will miss his new insights and reflections but I’m grateful for all we have from him.
Thank you John Hughes
Jim Langley says
Such sad news. My condolences to John’s family and loved ones. Coach John helped so many sharing his knowledge in his articles and books and he was inspirational as a rider too. Thank you John, you’ll be missed but will always live on in all you taught us.
Jim
Brian Nystrom says
This is truly sad news for all of us, but at least John lived a full life and positively influenced many people. I’ll definitely miss his wisdom here.
Kimberly says
Such sad news. Condolences to his family and all who knew him. I’m grateful for all he shared with us.
bike fitness coaching says
Sorry to hear of his passing. John always had great information for us to use as we trained and rode. My condolences to his family. RIP John.
Mark Lassler says
Rest in Paradise Coach Hughes and thank you for your valuable support of our sport of cycling.
Jim Remillard says
Sad news, indeed. John Hughes was both an inspiration and a wealth of information for all cyclists, but particularly for us older ones (I’m about to turn 82). I have many of his books and have saved many of his articles on my computer. I have used them to my advantage and have passed them along to others to use and benefit from. He will be sorely missed as one of the primary voices on the RBR. Jim Remillard
Barry Bogart says
This is very sad, especially for another ‘Ancienne’ de Paris-Brest. I think we were both there in 2003. I very much enjoyed his articles about aging cyclists and finally decided to buy his books, now that I have turned 80.. In my clubs in BC we often carry the ashes of our departed comrades in our frames so they just keep rolling. I always liked that idea and wish it for my own. But not too soon!
John Klever says
John’s advice was spot on. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
Terry Bradley says
I’m so very sorry to hear of Coach passing away – I have greatly appreciated his RBR work over the years, and he will be very much missed. Please pass along our condolences to his family.
Steve Gilbard says
Very sad to hear of Coach John’s passing. I looked forward to his insight each time he published something.
Safe Ride Coach.
Barb Augustin says
So sad to hear of John’s passing. The cycling world is the poorer for it.
Thank you for all your advice over the years.
Dan says
I met John on PAC TOUR in 1994. He was a joy to ride with. Always with a smile and a story.
Sorry to hear he’s no longer out on the road. He will be missed
Oriana says
My deepest condolences to his family. I enjoyed reading all of his articles. Great information.
He was my idle.
Live each day to the fullest.
Your here for a good time not a long time!
Madeline says
I’m so sorry to hear that John Hughes has passed away. He should have had so many more years. Decades ago I worked for him for several years when I was a student at Stanford and he managed Dinkelspiel Auditorium, and I couldn’t have asked for a better or nicer boss. And to say he was a serious cycling enthusiast at that time would be putting it mildly, so I wasn’t surprised to learn he’d eventually moved to Colorado and become a cycling coach. I wish I’d been in touch with him at least a bit over all these years, but I certainly have fond memories from the time that I knew him. He is surely missed by countless friends and colleagues and students, and I send my deepest condolences to his family.