In the 1970s, my Father took me to Harry Quinn’s shop in Liverpool. Harry was a renowned frame builder, but what captured me was Campagnolo, and that was the start of my Italian cycling passion.

After all these years, I’ve completed the project with my Officina Battaglin Marosticana—the most exquisite, traditional, handbuilt Italian steel frame.

I know I’m biased; we all think our children are the most beautiful in the world, but the aesthetic is beyond my imagination. Cromovelato with Italian flag colouring, coupled with a Sella Italia leather saddle (yes, spelt Sella, not Selle for this model), evokes the Italian cycling heritage.

The picture attached was taken just before my first ride. All of the conversation about ‘ride quality’ doesn’t come close to the experience of this bike. It might be the construction, or it might be the custom geometry, but what it is is sublime.

For me, cycling is as much about heritage. I’ve been part of the carbon, integrated cable, disc brake, and electronic shifting world, but I reached a point of wanting to get off the treadmill. I wanted to return to all that makes cycling a historical sport—the smooth feel of an exquisite steel frame and the glide of mechanical Campagnolo. I have to think about braking because I can’t simply slam on with discs. I understand that this isn’t for everyone, but it is for me.

Committing to a custom build is significant, but the team at Officina Battaglin communicated with me throughout the process and delivered 3 weeks ahead of schedule!

What I liked most about the purchase experience is the photographic journey of the build. I continued that as I built up the bike. I doubt my grandchildren will care much, but maybe one of them will hang the bike up somewhere in the future and accompany it with the photo album.

My Marosticana connects me with that mythical, Italian cycling heritage, and I love it!