One of the longest serving UK bike journalists and Singletrack bike tester, Steve Worland (58) has died of a heart attack while out running on Saturday 29th March.
Steve began writing for MBUK in the early 90’s and built a solid reputation for his expert opinions and technical knowledge. Steve wrote regularly for Singletrack including taking over as lead bike tester a year ago. Steve leaves his partner Jo and daughter Holly. Steve and Jo were due to get married in early April to celebrate 25 years together.
Steve’s last feature for us was the 26 Is Not Dead bike test in Singletrack issue 88. We interviewed Steve for Issue 10.
We are all shocked by his death and the thoughts of everyone at Singletrack are with his friends and family.
Absolutely stunned! My condolences to his family. As above, Steve’s been part of my MTB world the whole time.
I’m truly saddened.
Despite never meeting him, after over 20 years of reading his writing documenting the growth of mountain biking, there’s a connection to Steve for so many people who ride, or did ride, a bike. Condolences to his family and friends.
He made a big contribution to the progress of UK mountain biking. My thoughts are with his family, take care.
Such sad news. My thoughts and sympathy are with his family at this time.
Sad news.
Condolences to his family& friends.
Stunned to hear the news. Didn’t know Steve but his writing touched a chord. Was delighted when he started writing for Singletrack. I trust the next mag issue will have something fitting.
Condolences to family and friends.
Always enjoyed his writing, genuinley sad and shocked to read of his passing. RIP Steve.
So sorry to hear this, Ive read Steve through the MBUK days and was pleased when he turned up at Singletrack. They guy knew his stuff. He will be missed. Sympathies to family and friends.
That’s awful, 58 is no age and like so many I have read Steve’s work since I first started riding many many moons ago. Sincere condolences to his family and close friends.
Truly saddening news.
If any readers are getting on a bit in years now (like me) and had a slightly misspent youth riding motorbikes (like me) you might just remember John Robinson. John was a giant of motorcycle journalism. His experience and knowledge of the industry and technology were second to none. Everything he wrote felt insightful and down to earth, never regurgitated from a manufacturers press release. It had integrity, and yet his writing style was never less than engaging and entertaining.
When he passed away a dozen or more years ago it felt like motorcycle journalism had suffered a hammer blow and would never be quite the same again. With Steve’s passing it feels like mountain bike journalism has suffered exactly the same fate. I never met him, but I held his writing in the same lofty regard because it upheld all the same values. I’ll miss it.
I hope his family can take some small comfort at some stage in the future from the warmth and respect expressed on this and other forums.
Cheers Steve.