I first met Brian the Barnes perhaps 20 years ago when he came on board the Alf England ship in Bedworth (north Coventry). He came from a car dealer to work as Service Manager for Martin the Cole, Martin and I have been mates since I studied in Coventry many moons ago. Brian had loads of previous experience and quickly showed us that he could turn his hands to almost anything, as well as cars and bikes he was and is an excellent handy DIY guy and could often be seen rushing out of the shop at closing time to do another “foreigner”.
Well we soon became mates cos we shared loads of interests like cars and bikes as well as bike racing, Brian always visits several bike races per year in the UK and north Europe. Then we started to think of some longer European trips and our first one was a meeting at Magione in Umbria where I was working with a race school. Brian and Mark flew to Roma and we drove up to Magione where they both had great fun with a lesson on the circuit and then they came back to Roma with me for a few days! From there we continued, Barnes rode to Magione with two mates and then the three of them followed my red van back to Roma where they invaded my house for a few days, great fun.
More recently in 2021 we met up to swap bikes twice in France, once in Lyon and then in Troyes and on every trip Barnes is fast, punctual and totally reliable!! Then in May 2022 he rode down to Amalfi to bring me my lovely R1. Our next Troyes meeting is this week so watch this space!! A few pics follow as usual.
Service no limits! 