Books & Film

A Life with Bicycles; One-way Ticket; Speed Read Tour de France

written by Mike Barry published by Mariposa Bicycles

The last time I saw Mike Barry, he wasn’t feeling well. I met him at his Mariposa Bicycles shop so we could chat about old bikes and old bike components. We had done so for a few years. I’d always leave with a few of the components we’d discussed, have them photographed, and then they’d appear in this magazine in the Vintage Velo column. But when I arrived at the shop last November, Mike apologized. He couldn’t stay because he felt unwell. Later, near the end of December, he passed away.

The stories in A life with bicycles remind me for our conversations. The book is structured around his collection of bikes. Each of the 30 machines is an opportunity to discuss the development of bicycle technology, Mike’s personal history and cycling history – both in Canada and abroad. It’s like each bike, photographed expertly by Walter Lai, propels the author into a good yarn. In a way, the book is too modest, like Mike himself. His influence on cycling in Ontario, even beyond the province’s borders, is great. He got a few generations of cyclists riding. His collection of bikes is also impressive. This book doesn’t tell the whole story.

Some of the stories and bikes in the book are familiar to me. The Lucchini derailleur and Palladini hubs on the Torpado were featured here. Some were new. The tale of the Peloso starts with, “I had just finished a circuit race in Toronto’s High Park.” If he had been telling me that story in his shop, I probably would have interrupted with, “What? A proper race in High Park? That would be impossible today, assuming we’re talking about a sanctioned event.” The full story of the Peloso is great as it involves a carand-train chase. While I was a bit sad reading it knowing I can’t interrupt Mike and ask him yet another question, it’s always wonderful to hear one of his tales.