The king of bikes for Yarrawonga Mulwala and district for over two decades as JB Cycles from the early 1990s passed away on Wednesday, April 19 after a long illness. JB was 66-years-of-age.
A packed Chapel of Yarrawonga Mulwala Funeral Services bid farewell last Friday, April 28 to the man so good with bikes, racing cars and barges, and people.
A young John Beer’s interest in cycling started in Ararat where he raced and successfully completed a panel beating apprenticeship.
“Cycling was his passion and over the years he operated two shops, one in Echuca and one in Yarrawonga,” funeral celebrant Rhonda Edwards said.
“JB was the mechanic for the Australian Cycling Team at the Sydney Paralympic Games in 2000. He was recognised by the Queen and Prime Minister.
“He was just so good at restoring vintage cars and trikes – all sorts of bikes.”
For decades, JB was an integral part of cycling tours nationally and internationally, as mechanic, support driver and passionate encourager to riders.
Tributes paid by friends emphasised the firm belief by all mourners: “you had to be good to be the national team’s mechanic”; that he could fix anything up, which often involved working around the clock at short notice, and he loved his family.
Daughter Melissa and son Brad adored and loved their Dad. They recalled many fond memories in heartfelt tributes, which included holidays in the fixed-up campervan by their Dad. Many more find memories were recalled at ClubMulwala, for JB’s last ride.
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