The Bicycle That Led Me to Irio Tommasini
“You need to buy THAT bicycle. It’s a Tommasini titanium made here in Tuscany by a special man named Irio Tommasini” said my bicycle shop friend Andrea Di Sbandelli.
The next day I drove off to find Grosseto, a city on the Mediterranean and home of the Tommasini factory. Yes, I was going to have my bicycle fitted, but secretly I was going to hopefully meet Irio himself.
We spent the afternoon talking, about his bicycle own mentor, (“I learned everything from Pela.”), about his comfort working in all metals, (“I’m naturally curious.”), about California bicycle makers, (“Most of them came from the Faliero Masi satellite office that opened in San Marcos California in the mid-1970’s. He brought the art and his secrets to America.”), about which of his steel classic bicycles I should consider buying for my collection, (“I suggest you find a Tommasini Thomas I made in the 70’s.”) instructions I have since followed.
It was a sheer pleasure spending that afternoon with Irio. Now, when I ride my Tommasini Mach here in California, I always think back to our afternoon together and say a quiet hello to my humble friend Irio. www.tommasini.it
