Volunteers are the lifeblood of all sports, and time trialling is no exception. Few volunteers have had a greater influence on our sport in the south than Robin Johnson over the past 55 years. From course design and event organisation to committee roles at club, area and national level, his work has helped build and sustain events across both West and East Sussex and serves as an inspiration to riders and volunteers across the region.

Now well into his sixth decade in the sport, as Sussex Cyclists Association chairman Robin organises at least a dozen events each year and his enthusiasm is such that he introduced the SCA 30 in 2013, and yet another extra event, the SCA 15, in 2015. On top of this he remains a prolific racer, usually pinning a number on for his own events and he totted up 30 open rides in 2025 alone. At 77 he is in fact still highly competitive, this year having set a new VTTA Surrey/Sussex age record at the 30 distance and contributed to multiple group team wins for Brighton Mitre.

Fellow Brighton Mitre Cycling Club member Cris Coxon paid tribute to Robin, saying: “Robin Johnson has, without doubt, been one of the most central figures in the Southern TT Scene for several decades. If anyone’s ridden an event across West or East Sussex the chances are it’s been influenced — or often built from the ground up—by Robin.

“Speaking for myself, Robin’s been a huge personal help over the years having come back to cycling after decades away. After doing a few TT’s in a flappy wind vest on my old road bike he must have seen something in me and lent me a TT bike and pointy hat.

“Having sworn I’d never go the whole way with kit and training I’m now an obsessive racer and well down the equipment rabbit hole.

“I sometimes wonder if I should thank or curse him, but the training and discipline cycling’s given me in recent years gives me so much and makes me a better person all round. And Robin’s undoubtedly been a huge part of that.

“More recently I’ve started to take on committee and organising roles and, again, Robin’s been a big help passing on his knowledge.”

In December 2022, Robin was recognised with a Gold Award from the National Committee for his passion for cycling and the sport in our area.

Coxon concluded: “Although he does all the above quietly and without fuss he’s massively appreciated by the riders, along with other longstanding volunteers in the area. We hope he’ll be riding and running events for many years to come!”