While traveling in Italy several years ago, I found a small bike shop about 2 blocks behind the main Gucci store in Florence. It had about 15 used racing bikes lined up against one wall, all Campy equipped. The floor was packed dirt. The 6 inch think wooden work table was black from grease. There was a single lightbult with reflector hanging from the ceiling. A red 1960s Masi was hanging from the ceiling. There were a dozen old racing posters from the 40s or before. Two ancient men, all shriveled and wrinkled, turned as I walked in the shop. The owner didn't speak English and I didn't speak Italian. We conversed however, as only two people who have a common love can do. I found that some of the posters were of him as a racer. I've often thought about that shop and what treasures might have lurked in the back room. If I ever get back to Florence, I'm sure I'll spend countless hours searching for it, but I suspect it is no longer to be found. It is memories like this that keep me dreaming when I tr avel, always searching for the old shop with the treasure.
Lou Deeter, Huntsville AL.