Blog Post

A big CIAO from Italy

Iijima Takashi • Jun 12, 2020

The Barco Family  resumed operations

I received a lovely photo from the Italian bicycle workshop Cicli Barco.

Cicli Barco is the Barco family-owned workshop founded in 1947 in Padova in northeastern Italy. This workshop produces traditional Italian-style bicycles and innovative bicycles. It was shut down during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but was reported to have resumed operations. Although everyone wears masks, they seem to be fine, and most importantly, they are delighted to work. Each time I watched news of COVID-19 in Italy, I worried about the Barco family. Therefore, I was truly relieved to see this photo.
I was even more thrilled that the photo included Maruya's Christmas cards and patches.

My first encounter with Cicli Barco was at Bespoked - The UK Handmade Bicycle Show in Bristol in 2019.
Our first conversation was as follows:
“What kind of bicycles are popular in Italy these days?” 
"It's gravel road."
"This fork looks cool, doesn’t it!”
"It’s not just the appearance, it's light. Take it."

For us exhibitors, the beauty of Bespoked is that it not only lets our customers see the bicycles, but also gives us the chance to enjoy conversation with other exhibitors.
Bespoked will be held at the Engine Shed inside the Bristol Station building, so there is a limit to the venue’s capacity. Therefore, it is a homely atmosphere with many regular exhibitors who know each other.
There are many exhibitors who enjoy this atmosphere, and that is why they are sentimental if they cannot meet with these friends the next year.
After the exhibition, while I was cleaning up, the three Barco family members came to the Maruya booth to say goodbye. They even gave me a traditional batch of Cicli Barco as a token of friendship.

Bespoked could not be held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will return in April 2021. I look forward to reuniting with the Cicli Barco family for the first time in two years.

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